Countdown is on for international buyers

CHANGES to our international border policy in February are set to bring some changes to the market.

With the announcement of open international borders from February 21, all eyes will be on international buyers - whether they are overseas Australians coming home or foreign investors.Another buyer group that has been on everyone’s radar has been interstate investors. Last Saturday, a woman from Sydney narrowly missed out on buying 47 Devereux Rd, Linden Park at auction through Ray White Norwood agent Brandon Pilgrim for $1.64 million. In Brisbane, another Sydney buyer had more luck, successfully securing 7 Bousfield St, Paddington at auction for $3 million through Ray White Paddington agents Judi O’Dea and Michael Kleimeyer (pictured above).In January interstate and international buyers made up just shy of 18 per cent of all Ray White auction buyers. Meanwhile, investors are tipped to return this year and in January almost 24 per cent of all auction sales went to an investor.This week, the leading auction group has 597 properties scheduled to be sold at auction - 65 per cent higher than last year.Breaking down the capital cities, the Ray White Melbourne network has scheduled the most auctions of the group with 165 booked in. Ray White Sydney offices followed closely behind, booking 150 auctions. Ray White offices across Brisbane have 78 auctions scheduled collectively while the Ray White Adelaide network has a further 49 auctions booked in.