When a leading property valuer and a leading accountant separately predict (with conviction) that a major new player will raid the Australian village sector, buying up quality villages and casting aside sub standard villages, you take notice. Peter McMullen of Jones Lang LaSalle property consultants firmly stated that at least one overseas experienced (village) industry operator from Asia, the Middle East or the Americas will enter the Australian market in the next six months as it is seen as a safe haven.
Marcus Willison of Ernst & Young accountants, said one new (overseas) player will roll up the market, being very selective and building a good geographic spread across the country.
A new entrant would first engage a property firm and an accountant to do the due diligence on the market. And six months is not much time, especially if you are cherry picking villages in existing portfolios, indicating plans may be well advanced. Nobody had a strong feeling who the likely entrant might be however.
