Buying deceased estate property in Queensland has been made easier with a new property search now available through the Public Trustee’s website.
Interim CEO and Public Trustee, Samay Zhouand said the new service enabled buyers to view and search properties listed for sale from across the state.
Each year the Public Trustee administers more than 2,200 estates where the Public Trustee sells the property as nominated within a person’s Will, or when authorised by beneficiaries to act on their behalf. Properties may also be sold on behalf of eligible inheritors should someone die without a Will.
Mr Zhouand said the property portfolio had always attracted extra interest from buyers with almost 60,000 people accessing information about the Public Trustee’s Real Estate Services last year and more than 18,000 prospective buyers who subscribe to the Public Trustee’s monthly property alert.
'With the new feature, interested buyers can now easily search through pictures and details of properties by region, the newest properties to be listed and by the type of sale.
'Helpful information about bidding at an auction is also available through the site to inform and help community members to actively participate in the auction bidding process,' he said.
Public Trustee Property Director, Joanne Edsor said the real estate portal was the first step in the organisation’s digital renewal program, aimed at improving community access to Public Trustee services.
'Many people are not aware that the Public Trustee is a certified real estate agent and over the past 12 months, on average, has achieved outstanding sales results for both our clients who are selling the property and our property buyers.'
Queensland property buyer Amanda Lowe said, 'When I was looking for a property, I conducted my research online through the Public Trustee site.
'I purchased my home, and my parents have also purchased a couple of homes through the Public Trustee. We have found them to be very transparent with negotiations, and the pricing was accurate and reasonable.'
Ms Lowe said the improved functionality of Public Trustee’s Real Estate Services online is now easier for users to search, find and view properties for sale. 'The search feature is now in line with the experience that people have when they use other real estate websites and I have directed many people to look at Public Trustee’s real estate online.
'I have also encouraged others to sign up for the Property Alert that the Public Trustee regularly sends out—as it’s a great way to jog your memory and keep you updated on the new properties for sale.'
The Public Trustee releases new properties for sale each month with the last listings for the year released last week.
Current properties for sale are located across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim, Darling Downs and Southwest Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns and Far North Queensland.
Mr Zhouand said, 'Properties are often in great locations within well-established suburbs and some have never been on the market before or not for a very long time.
'This new service enables homes for sale to reach more potential buyers, which will create more opportunities to maximise the best returns for the estate’s beneficiaries and their families,' he said.
The Public Trustee has been selling property for the benefit and on behalf of Queenslanders since 1916 and is obligated by law to achieve value on the sale of assets. A large number of properties are listed within six and 12 months from validation of the deceased estate and sold by public auction to maximise results and demonstrate transparency of the sale process.
For more information, visit the Public Trustee’s Real Estate Services