Couples are lining up to buy property in some of Brisbane's most highly sought-after school catchment zones - before they even have kids.
Desperate to secure a spot at one of Brisbane's top schools, couples and families are prepared to fork out big bucks for a house to make sure their children don't miss out.
Real estate agents have been busy fielding enquiries for homes in sought-after school catchment zones, with buyers prepared to pay top dollar to be near a top performing school.
Some prestigious schools are reportedly at such capacity, they are actually discouraging families from buying into the catchment areas.
Indooroopilly State High, Ironside State School, Mount Gravatt State High, Graceville State School and Mansfield State High are currently under Education Queensland catchment management plans. This is introduced when a school is nearing capacity and the school principal is instructed to control any enrolment requests from outside the catchment.
Place Kangaroo agent Deb Maguire told WILLIAMS MEDIA her agency is dealing with a "backlog" of buyers for sought-after school catchment zones.
"The most prestigious school drawing our clients in Kangaroo Point and South Brisbane is Churchies (Anglican Church Grammar School)," she said.
"Brisbane State High School and West End State Primary School are the most in-demand schools due to their ranking as number one and eight respectively in the state. My colleagues and I have a backlog of buyers for this catchment zone and only limited homes available. This sees many families looking at apartments in the area rather than freestanding homes," she said.
Ms Maguire said proximity to sought-after schools is a big factor for buyers.
"Owners tend to hold for more than average years while their children all complete their schooling so homes in these areas are tightly held.
"For buyers they will tend to pay a premium price for properties in these school zones, buying when their children are approaching the age for enrolment rather than waiting until necessary, or a couple of years prior to the transition from primary to high school is another peak time for families shifting suburbs."
Ms Maguire’s listing at 155 Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill, is within the catchment zone for West End Primary and Brisbane State High.
She told WILLIAMS MEDIA more than half the inspections had been from families looking to buy into the catchment zone.
"Eight out of 10 buyers are either looking to buy in the catchment or moving within the catchment to upgrade their home.
"A recent buyer I spoke to, with children at Grammar and Somerville House is looking to move from the Bulimba/Balmoral area to avoid three hours spent in the car daily transporting his children school along the Lytton Road route. This is just one example of financially capable parents shifting to be closer to their school of choice."
Ms Maguire said for real estate agents selling property within sought-after school catchment zones, it has become a "matter of importance" to advertise proximity to schools.
"This has become the front liner for homes in the Brisbane State High zone and attracts enquires from overseas and locally. I specifically list school zones in the marketing text for all listings as a matter of importance."
McGrath New Farm agent Drew Davies says being within walking distance of prestigious schools is a "prerequisite" for some of his clients.
"A large demographic of buyers we meet are growing families who are looking for Ascot State School or Eagle Junction State School catchment zones and/or proximity to prestigious private schools such as St Margaret’s and St Rita’s. Being within walking distance to one of these schools can often be a prerequisite," Mr Davies told WILLIAMS MEDIA.
"About 30 per cent of buyers we meet are looking to buy into public school catchment zones, Ascot State School followed by Eagle Junction State School. If you were to take into account families that are looking to be within close proximity of prestigious schools; public or private that figure jumps to approximately 70 per cent."
Ray White New Farm agent Hamish Bowman says being close to schools is becoming an increasingly bigger determinant for buyers, with half of people at open for inspections families looking to buy into catchment zones.
"For us in New Farm, New Farm State School is now very popular and the catchment is keenly sought-after. Interestingly, as the Sydney Street ferry terminal is across the river from East Brisbane, that precinct of New Farm is very popular with Churchie families," he told WILLIAMS MEDIA.
Related reading:
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Investing in property within Melbourne’s most sought after public school zones
Why houses in these Melbourne suburbs are selling up to $400k more