Christchurch - where it’s come from, where it is and where it’s heading All Things Property with Paul Foster

Brent Smith is Christchurch through and through and has amassed an impressive wealth of knowledge in the local property industry. In this episode he shares what his many years of investing and selling real estate in Christchurch, both pre and post earthquakes has revealed. As the managing director and co founder of Iron Bridge Property Group, he walks the walk. With Iron Bridge Property Group having departments covering investment, real estate sales and property management, Brent speaks from experience. The dynamics have changed post earthquake in Christchurch and with that comes new opportunity. Whilst the residential rebuild is some way down the track, the CBD is still quite some way off completion. The city is however starting to really take shape and looking to be a very modern and attractive city. Affordability is no way near as stretched as other centres throughout the country so it is well placed to perform well in the next upturn. Yields are also more attractive than many other parts of the country making both returns and possibility of capital gain both very much on the cards. Brent talks about some current areas of opportunity like the purchase of show homes being leased back to the developers at impressive returns. Buying new builds is also a way to better work with the current LVR restrictions and Christchurch is a prime area for this strategy as Brent explains. Don’t miss this great interview with fantastic insight into the Garden City.