The 2534 postcode continued to be an appealing location for Sydney-siders looking to purchase high-end lifestyle properties in 2019.
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Neil Campbell from Ray White Gerringong defined lifestyle properties as "anything that's rural" and of a large acreage.
"They're not productive farms at all," he said.
"We just don't sell any rural properties at all of any size for farming purposes.
"So they really are all lifestyle now."
Mr Campbell said lifestyle properties, particularly in the Gerringong/Foxground area, had become even more popular during the past 12 months.
"When in that time the residential market was going the other way, the lifestyle market, particularly in this 2534 area just got stronger and stronger," he said.
Notable lifestyle property sales in the area in 2019 included 'Ocean Pines'.
The Gerringong property was owned by fashion pioneer and Ingham chicken heir Robby Ingham and wife Sarah, before being sold for what was believed to be a record $11.3 million at auction.
The 100-acre property was auctioned in May.
The Domain Group reported that the sale price was the highest auction result on the South Coast.
According to Domain, it topped a previous South Coast record set in 2015 when businesswoman Kerry Moran sold her Kiama oceanfront property with an unfinished Philip Thalis-designed residence, Pebble Cove Farm, for $7.3 million.
Another notable sale in 2019 was the 68.8-hectare 125 Willowvale Road, Gerringong, which fetched $4.3 million in October.
Also, the 103-hectare property at 240 Alne Bank Lane, Rose Valley sold in September for $4.9 million.
Mr Campbell said it was predominantly Sydney-siders looking to get into the area's lifestyle property market.
He said the Sydney buyers were a mix of those wanting to have a weekender and others wishing to retire.
"A lot of the people buying them are cash buyers," Mr Campbell said.
"I think the market can still grow a little bit too.
"The South Coast is just getting more and more popular with Sydney people."
Advice for buyers, sellers in 2020
Proper presentation is crucial for those looking to sell their property in the coming months, an Illawarra agent suggests.
Vanessa Denison-Pender, principal of One Agency Downie Denison-Pender said a "pet peeve" of hers was vendors who "aren't prepared to work with you to present the property".
"Things like they're not prepared to remove cobwebs, get a cleaner through the house, do the lawns - just basic 101 stuff," she said.
She offered further advice for those looking to sell this summer and beyond.
"Always get a building and pest inspection report done prior to going on the market, to fast-track the sale and get the best result as soon as possible," she said.
"Get a stylist through, just for a once-over, whether they want to actually style or just get hints on presentation."
Vivienne Marris, principal at Elders Real Estate Jamberoo also offered advice for those planning to sell.
"In this day and age, if people make their mind up to sell their house, they're usually ready to go and they don't need three months to get sorted out," she said.
"If you are ready to go, get your house on the market sooner rather than later."
Mrs Marris also had a pointer for those interested in buying over the summer period.
"Pick your times to go and look at properties, and try and be considerate of the owner... Be flexible, as opposed to saying, 'I need to see it today' and getting annoyed when they don't get a response," she said.