Michelle Handbury from Q State Properties has sold a four-bedroom acreage home on 1.02 hectares at Tamborine, Queensland, for $1.135 million to a young family making their first move onto land.
Michelle had one question to answer about the Nailor Drive listing: who would see its compromises as a fair trade for the lifestyle?
Turning limitations into an entry point
The four-bedroom home had one bathroom, and the sloping block meant some of the 1.02 hectares had limited use. Michelle built the campaign around the buyer who could live with that.
She targeted families looking for a first acreage property under $1.2 million, a segment with few options in Tamborine. The pitch was four bedrooms, a shed and spectacular views.
“We saw this as an opportunity to introduce buyers to an acreage lifestyle at a price they could manage,” Michelle said.
The property first went to market above that figure. As dry conditions set in, buyers began placing more value on downsizing to residential homes than on acreage. Michelle adjusted the guide to match where the market sat.
Then came the question every acreage buyer asks in a dry spell. Water was the buyers’ biggest concern, so Michelle arranged for a water diviner to check for underground supply. There was.
“Other than the emotional connection to the property, it gave them some satisfaction that they would be able to have water to continue even in dry periods,” Michelle said.
A family’s tree change, on schedule
The buyers first found the property on realestate.com.au, then attended an open home. They had been looking for about six months, were clear on their needs and worked to a tight budget.
The young family, with small children, stretched that budget as far as it would go. They wanted a country lifestyle for their kids without moving far from their previous area or from work. The contract was signed on 28 September 2026 after 182 days on the market.
For the sellers, timing mattered as much as price. They were expecting their first baby and planned a move to a bigger farm further north in Queensland. Their baby arrived two weeks before settlement.
“They were really grateful that we were able to make the transaction and the transition and timing happen in order for them to be able to move at that time,” Michelle said.
Why Tamborine keeps drawing buyers
Tamborine sits within an hour’s drive of both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, giving families a country setting without losing access to city work. This property adds an uninterrupted outlook towards the city skyline in the evening. For Queensland buyers weighing a residential suburb against the hinterland, that mix of community spirit and connection is a strong draw.
“Most people do fall in love with Tamborine because of its great country feel and community spirit,” Michelle said.
Several active buyers remain in the area, and Michelle said they are homing in on value for money.
“There’s definitely still value out there to be had, and property prices are starting to align with the needs of the buyers,” she said.
About the Agent
Michelle Handbury is a lifestyle acreage specialist at Q State Properties with a lifelong passion for horses and the land. A qualified property valuer, she combines deep local knowledge with sharp pricing, strategy and negotiation skills. Known for honest, down-to-earth advice, she guides buyers and sellers through the rural lifestyle market. Visit Michelle’s website for more information or call Michelle on 0412711702.