G’day,
Interesting to follow the Hedland forum, I’ve worked and lived there for the last 4 years.
Key Points:
– property managers are inexperienced and manage too many properties (often feels like they have only done a weekend accreditation) – commonly bored partners of mining/business professionals
– there can be significant termite problems
– engineering inspection is near impossible to coordinate (no one within at least 200km)
– if a big cyclone comes right through town, anything older than 15 years is probably not built to a cyclone rating 5 standard and would be likely to suffer damage
– many professionals refuse to live in South Hedland
– Gina Hopes project has been bought by Pilbara Iron – benefits will flow through to Karratha
– FMG is still some distance away from breaking ground
– BHPB expansion may actually result in fewer Hedland based employees as significant facilities (crushing) are likely to be moved inland over the next few years.
– South Hedland is considerably less desirable than Port Hedland and is subject to significantly higher rates of break ins and petty crime.
– GEHA or BHPB tenants in the property are great (as are many of the dependent companies) however there is something like 30-40% homeswest houses in South Hedland. Imagine 3-4 out of ten houses in your street that are poorly maintained with ‘poorly mannered’ occupants
– nursing home currently being relocated to South Hedland, Hospital to follow in a couple of years – this will further enhance Port Hedland by removing negative aspects of this buildings.
– Capital growth has been significant in both Port and South, though there will be great rent for quality/manager homes for many years to come.
Summary,
Go up there and see the town, meet property managers, do your due diligence.
Cheers
Jimbob