Global warming may heat up Tree Change markets

A Parliamentary report on global warming released this week highlights the uncertainty surrounding coastal property markets. Some prospective Sea Changers may become Tree Change converts.

Tree Change properties, often considered the poor cousin to Sea Change properties, may be given an unexpected boost, with a recent Parliamentary report highlighting potential issues associated with properties located close to the water due to global warming. The report released by the House Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts and titled ‘Managing our coastal zone in a changing climate’ suggests that a one centimetre rise in sea levels could lead to at least one metre of erosion on the shoreline, making coastal properties vulnerable to flooding, erosion, high tides and surging storms.

The implications for coastal property markets around Australia are likely to be far reaching, particularly for properties within 3km of the ocean and less than six metres above sea level:

• Insurance companies are likely to reassess the value of premiums on potentially affected properties
• Coastal property owners may be slugged with additional charges aimed at funding the works associated with coastal remediation and risk mitigation (or it may be the broader community that funds these activities)
• New development in areas that are subject to potential inundation may be blocked or face large hurdles associated with planning and development approval
• Existing homes may actually rise more in value due to new supply constraints
  

In all likelihood, the values of coastal properties will continue to rise despite the heightened uncertainty that surrounds coastal markets. Ultimately, most owners and buyers will choose lifestyle and prestige over the more practical considerations raised in the report.

There will, however, be a portion of the market that turns away from the coast and look towards higher ground. ‘Tree Change’, where buyers move from the city to a rural location, has been gathering momentum for some time. Hinterland markets and agricultural regions close to the capital cities have become more popular due to the high prices of properties located near the water and the increasing demand from baby boomers who are winding down or approaching retirement. The increased uncertainty surrounding coastal markets is likely to propel demand for these regions even higher.

Traditionally, Tree Change buyers have been attracted to the larger land areas that rural locations offer together with the tranquility and privacy that comes naturally in these locations. The most popular Tree Change markets are generally those that are within commuting distance to a capital city or major centre.