You don’t have to be in the know to appreciate that the face of real estate in Adelaide is changing, and rapidly so. You’d have to think that for quite some time the housing market was pretty consistent, stable even, with a solid number of brick houses, one or two story, suburban, and maybe a few apartment blocks building on the same idea. You can see this legacy of classic development no matter where you are.
Industry veteran and Managing Director of Turner Real Estate Robin Turner has just celebrated half century of being in property this year. After 50 years in real estate he’s seen the changes first hand.
“I’ve seen the gentrification of countless suburbs,” he begins. “In the 1960s, European immigrants settled in low cost suburbs which were considered unpopular back then like St Peters, Unley and Beulah Park. Now these areas are some of the most desired areas to buy into in Adelaide. Once avoided suburbs Brompton and Bowden are also having a resurgence with the new urban renewal developments that are happening.”
Turner also believes that the current rise in the market is quite remarkable and unprecedented. “The work is the same; the processes and services are the same, but the technology we have at our disposal to market and deliver the service are different. The other biggest change I’ve seen is the rise in property prices. A good example of this is a property on Commercial Road in Hyde Park that was bought in 1970 for $14,000 and sold it a few years ago for $1.4million – that’s 100x the purchase price. 100 houses back then for what you pay for one now.”
“Prices rise because we are dealing with scarce supply & high demand. People think it won’t happen again, I hope the market provides opportunities for people from all walks of life to enter the market, especially younger people.”
Robin Turner started his career as a valuation student for the State’s Waterworks department in 1966. After returning from the Vietnam War in 1970, later he began working as a valuer for the Savings Bank of SA. 25 years later he took the leap of faith as a real estate agent, opened an agency and hasn’t looked back.
“It’s a great job because no day is ever the same and you test your wits constantly. If you’re a good real estate agent you’re trying to get the very best for the people you’re working for, it’s a 24/7 job, but I love every moment.”
Now a leading identity in Adelaide property circles, Turner was recently honoured with the Sir Robert Torrens Award, an award which recognises outstanding contribution and commitment to the real estate profession. His contribution has included serving a record four years as President of the Real Estate Institute of South Australia and being involved with the Institute, both at a State and National level for over a decade.
As for the future, he’s honest. His guess would be as good as ours. But that’s the exciting part of remaining real estate.
For more information on Turner Real Estate, visit their website.
More News
