Zoe Scadden is one of 36 Katherine residents who have dived into the property market.
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Never mind a recent drop in property prices, Ms Scadden is taking the long-term view of Katherine’s future.
The 22-year-old manager of Town and Country Butchers chose to invest in her own digs in Katherine instead of heading down the usual early-20s route of travelling the world.
And she thinks it’s paying off.
“A huge factor in opting to buy was that it was affordable for me, I saved a lot,” Ms Scadden said.
“The only time I would be worried is if I was trying to sell.”
Ms Scadden is confident the town was “going to turn around”.
And when it does, “it is going to go off”.
“I reckon after the whole PFAS thing, I have heard there will be a big boom in Katherine.
“Five years time, despite what everyone says, it is going to turn around.
“Katherine is not a bad place, it is like a wave, hopefully it will pass over.”
According to the NT Government, Ms Scadden and the other Katherine 36 home buyers took up the First Home Stamp Duty Discount to help in buying their property.
Some of them also successfully applied for the $10,000 NT Government Home Renovation Grant, which Ms Scadden said was extremely helpful.
“House prices are so low right now in Katherine, it is a great time to buy especially for young people,” she said.
“I have been telling all my mates to buy a house because it sets you up and it is better than paying dead rent.”
Ms Scadden said she used the Home Renovation Grant to build a carport, and a new fence is in the works.