The influx of Mr Fluffy homeowners looking for a property in Canberra to replace their asbestos tainted houses has begun, according to real estate agents.

A sudden increase in home buyers as the ACT Government’s buyback program is rolled out is predicted to push up prices across the Canberra real estate market.

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A total of 1021 owners of Mr Fluffy houses which had loose-fill asbestos pumped into the roof spaces are considering their options after the buyback and demolition scheme was announced.

About 40 families have already been forced out of their homes after asbestos assessments found potentially deadly fibres in living areas or wardrobes.

Real estate agents said there had been strong interest from buyers who have identified they want to leave Mr Fluffy houses as soon as possible.

Agent Cory McPherson has noticed an increase in the number of people coming through open houses and preparing to buy.

“A survey that I did at a property last week we had 22 groups through the home inspection, and 16 were Mr Fluffy owners,” he said.

“And two properties which sold that sold last week were both to former Mr Fluffy owners.

“So I think its is going to have an impact right across the market from the top end to people downsizing, and I think it will even flow in to the rental market and give it some stimulus.”

Agent Richard Keeley compared the impact of Mr Fluffy buyers to the aftermath of the 2003 Canberra bushfires when 500 homes were destroyed.

“Within sort of three months of people getting their insurance money they were actively out there in the market place and it drove prices significantly,” he said

Mr McPherson said he expected the buying behaviour to be similar as the compensation money started coming through.

“This is a lot of people coming together at the same time, and they are all going to get their money around the same time and we are talking a massive size,” he said

“And that’s already in a real estate market that’s got less stock than what it should have at this time of year in the inner areas.”

Mr Fluffy owners out inspecting real estate open houses

Mr Fluffy homeowners Phill and Sally Bower were inspecting houses listed for sale in Canberra’s south on Saturday.

“It is the uncertainty, we don’t know what options we’ve got and we don’t know when it [the government buyback] is going to happen,” Mr Bower said.

“We’re really trying to beat the big flow on effect when it comes down to it.”

Sally Bower has recognised other Mr Fluffy owners at real estate open houses who were in the same position.

“They are already out there looking [at properties], some are in a position to buy and some are just getting their head around what needs to happen next,” she said.

The couple said fears about whether their current Mr Fluffy block would be sub-divided under the buyback scheme were adding to the uncertainty.

Canberra auction numbers hit a record high in Spring, and a record number of houses were also listed for auction in Canberra last week.

A total of 136 auctions were scheduled, beating the previous high of 93 properties which was set in November last year.

RP Data’s Robert Larocca said the northern suburb of Macgregor and Kambah in the city’s south had the most auctions listed.

“What it really shows is that there’s an increased use of auctions as a sale method because there’s an improving market, that’s something we’re seeing right across capital cities across Australia,” he said.

“When the market goes up what you see is more use of auctions because of the competitive pressure that they can bring.”