Preparing for the Flat Bush explosion

Preparing for the Flat Bush explosion

Flat Bush is one of New Zealand’s highest growth areas, with a population expected to hit at least 40,000 by 2025.

Auckland Council says it’s the country’s largest and most comprehensively planned new town – and it has to be given it will soon be home to a population comparable to Nelson.

Harcourts Flat Bush owner Les Hoverd says the forecast growth is the reason he chose to start a real estate business in the area.

Les says it is exciting to be at the forefront of the transformation planned for Auckland, where multi-storey living will soon become a way of life for many.
As well as traditional suburban homes, Flat Bush is zoned for eight storey buildings. A 19 hectare town centre is also planned, with construction expected to begin next year.

“It is going to be one of the hubs of south Auckland. Close to central Auckland, but a thriving town centre in its own right,” Les says.
In preparation for the growth, Les has hired a team of 12 sales consultants, who are familiarising themselves with plans for the area and the properties already available.

The planned Flat Bush development could not come at a better time, with the latest Harcourts' figures showing there is a massive shortage in the number of properties available to people desperate to buy.

In Auckland there has been a 16.7% drop in the number of properties for sale in the past 12 months. Resultantly buyers are now prepared to pay more than ever, with a 6% increase in the average house prices since May 2012.
Until recently Les was based in Papakura, where he ran a successful property management business.

The business, now called Harcourts Flat Bush Property Management, has relocated with Les, and the company has a substantial number of properties across south Auckland on their books.

Les says, as you would imagine, quality rental properties do not stay vacant for long, with the housing shortage gripping Auckland also affecting the rental market.

“Landlords that are prepared to maintain their properties adequately are having no problem at all renting them out. And that’s across the board – it doesn’t matter how many bedrooms or what size.”
Harcourts New Zealand CEO Hayden Duncan says our heated property market can be attributed to one factor – lack of supply.

“The development planned for Flatbush is exactly what we need. Multi-storey living does not have to be cramped and undesirable. Quality multi-storey family homes, close to a vibrant town centre, are in every European city.
“We are thrilled to have Les and his team representing Harcourts in Flat Bush and helping Aucklanders into homes, whether rented or owned.”

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