New data from NAB has shown a massive increase in loans for first-time home buyers.
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Mount Isa, there's been a 115 per cent rise in lending to first-home buyers.
It puts the Isa up there with Sydney's west and the NSW Central Coast as well as Geelong and Logan according to lending data from NAB.
"First-home buyers are back in the market at levels we haven't seen for a decade," NAB Executive, Home Ownership, Andy Kerr said.
"Demand has been supported by historically low interest rates and more government support, such as the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme and HomeBuilder. A brief pullback in property prices also helped first-home buyers as the uncertainty of COVID-19 put many plans on ice, with investor demand slowing noticeably."
Mining's relative escape from the COVID downturn has helped Mount Isa and there are almost 200 properties for sale in the market in the city despite land values being marked down 44% since 2016.
"In Queensland, the first-home buyer hotspots are more widespread than in any other state," Mr Kerr said.
"Cairns and areas just north of the Sunshine Coast just missed out but are also in demand, and are expected to remain that way as the sea change draws more converts."
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