RE/MAX principal John Buckley believes it’s not just travellers who will be the biggest winners from Singapore Airlines’ new Capital Express services linking Singapore with Canberra. He says local property owners will benefit from a much greater buyer market.
“Singapore is the gateway to the Chinese buyer market, where there is already interest in in Canberra, and the direct flights will make it even more attractive to visit, invest and live here.
“I expect the increase in enquiry from mainland Chinese and Singaporeans to be dramatic, with interest in the high density living of quality apartments and newer properties, and large family homes for multi-generational living.
“I think we’ll see a swell both in people diversifying their investments with property for university-aged children and families settling here.
“The Australian National University (ANU) ranks in the world’s top 20 universities and has been the top university in Australia for the past few years. Big companies invest here, and a thriving IT environment offers employment with better remuneration plus lifestyle aspects.”
Mr Buckley will open RE/MAX Diplomat in Kingston in March.
“We are an international company with direct international connections. More than 350 RE/MAX agents operate in Singapore alone. Australia is one of 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, where there are more than 1500 agents.
“The introduction of direct flights provided an even greater reason to expand my business into Canberra, and into the premium buyer market.”
Mr Buckley said that RE/MAX properties are listed on major Asian portals including Juwai.com, the No. 1 Chinese portal for international property.
“Juwai.com‘s users are looking for international property and have the resources to buy it. Its co-founder Simon Henry said earlier this month that Australian property was now 30 per cent cheaper for Chinese mainlanders than it was 12 months ago.
“Australian property is very affordable compared with Shanghai and Bejing, and now Canberra has every reason to outshine Sydney and Melbourne for providing better value, desirable residential property.”
Tickets went on sale last month and the first flights are anticipated for September, with the direct flights from Singapore landing four days a week. Construction of new customs and immigration facilities are underway.
For Canberra residents and visitors, it means they can avoid having to fly via Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on flight to Singapore.
“The direct international flights will attract more international attention from the business sector and from property investors, and it will also make Canberra a more attractive Australian travel hub. There would be few capital cities in the world where the international airport was a 15-minute drive from most suburbs. I see more people wanting to call Canberra home, and a thriving local economy,” said Mr Buckley.