Interstate rivalry in Australia has pretty much been around since federation, with the states and territories always on the lookout for a chance to one-up another – be it the weather, sporting glory, or food and culture.
But when it comes to property it seems Australians are actually quite similar, regardless of which state they hail from.
New data shows the majority of Aussies looking to buy a home are after one thing – a swimming pool.
An analysis of realestate.com.au data for the buy section shows that pool and swimming pool are the most searched for keywords during a property search in every state and territory except Tasmania.
Down south in the Apple Isle, the focus is still on the water, but in this instance buyers are instead looking for properties on the waterfront.
What buyers are looking for
Prospective buyers in New South Wales and Queensland have the most in common when it comes to searching for property, sharing four out of five most popular keywords.
After pools, buyers in both states are looking for property on the waterfront, property with a granny flat and also duplexes.
After that, New South Wales buyers want a view whereas those in Queensland seek properties with dual living zones.
In Victoria – the birthplace of hipsterism – warehouses are second only to pools when it comes to a property search. Buyers also seem to have caught the renovation bug, with the STCA (Subject To Council Approval) the third most popular search term, perhaps indicating buyers seek property they can extend, or potentially develop.
In Western Australia buyers are looking to get their hands dirty, with workshop featuring in the top five most searched for keywords in the state. They’re also keen on the water out west, with canal among the most popular searches.
In South Australia buyers are after corner blocks, while in the Northern Territory and ACT, property seekers are looking to buy homes associated with the Defence Housing Association.
More than just bricks and mortar
Ray White Surfers Paradise Group CEO Andrew Bell says buyers usually have a four-step approach to finding a property.
“The first thing they look for is geographical location. The second thing is the style of property – a husband and wife and two kids aren’t going to look for a two-bedroom apartment,” he says.
“The third thing is price… Then comes the wishlist.”
Bell says people’s search habits have changed in the past few decades, with buyers more focused on the lifestyle opportunities a property affords them.
“I am always telling people your are not just buying bricks and mortar, you are buying a lifestyle.
“Ask yourself ‘am I going to be happy living here, having my friends and family visit?’
“Years ago it was just about getting the home – the three bedrooms with room for the kids.
“Now it’s all about lifestyle.”
Top 10 keyword searches by state
The realestate.com.au keyword search data looks at the most searched for property terms in each state from September 2014 to August 2015. Keywords are ranked by the number of times buyers entered those terms in the free text keyword search box.
NSW
1. Pool
2. Waterfront
3. Granny Flat
4. Duplex
5. Views
6. Beach
7. Investment
8. Water
9. River
10. Warehouse
VIC
1. Pool
2. Warehouse
3. STCA
4. Views
5. Beach
6. Courtyard
7. Corner
8. Permit
9. Investment
10. Brick
QLD
1. Pool
2. Waterfront
3. Granny flat
4. Duplex
5. Dual living
6. Views
7. Shed
8. Queenslander
9. LMR (zoning)
10. Pet friendly
WA
1. Pool
2. Granny flat
3. Workshop
4. R40 (zoning)
5. Canal
6. Beach
7. Views
8. Shed
9. Character
10. Duplex
SA
1. Pool
2. Granny flat
3. Corner
4. Views
5. Beach
6. Shed
7. Esplanade
8. Cottage
9. Character
10. Investment
TAS
1. Waterfront
2. Views
3. Pool
4. Beach
5. Water
6. Brick
7. Church
8. River
9. Historic
10. Granny flat
NT
1. Pool
2. Elevated
3. DHA
4. Granny flat
5. Duplex
6. Shed
7. Investment
8. Waterfront
9. MD (zone)
10. Furnished
ACT
1. Pool
2. Views
3. DHA
4. Investment
5. Renovate
6. Granny flat
7. RZ2 (zone)
8. Tenant
9. Garage
10. New