Yamba holiday homes fully rented as holidaymakers plan for summer breaks on NSW north coast

With less than four weeks left until Christmas, east coast holiday destinations are busily preparing for an influx of summer holidaymakers, with many areas experiencing close to 100% occupancy rates on vacation properties, according to the Raine & Horne coastal offices.

In Yamba, on the NSW north coast, the height of the summer holiday rush is expected in the first week of 2012, says Denise Jillett, Principal of Raine & Horne Yamba.

“We have 100% occupancy on our holiday homes between New Year’s Eve and the end of the first week in January, and only a 1% vacancy rate between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve,” Jillett says.

“Even the second week in January is very tight, and it is not until the second half of January that we have more availability.”

More than 50% of the area’s holidaymakers are coming from south-east Queensland, says Jillett, with many renting waterfront homes for up to $2,500 a week.

“Some of these properties can fit two families, which is a great way to share costs, but we also have cheaper holiday properties renting for around $950 a week.”

Jillett says Raine & Horne Yamba is now seeking additional listings to cater for the high holiday demand, and suggests it can be a good way for home owners to pay for a holiday of their own.

“Yamba home owners who are open to the idea of letting out their home over Christmas can earn a few thousand dollars, which effectively means they can pay for their own holiday.”

Buyers who are looking at purchasing in the tightly held Yamba market can secure three-bedroom entry-level waterfront homes, including a boat mooring and jetty, for prices between $730,000 and $750,000, adds Jillett.

“We even have two-bedroom, two-bathroom units with ocean views for prices in the mid-$400,000s,” she notes.