Its newly-established Queensland research division has mapped apartment sales trends across 500 buildings on the Gold Coast over the past six years, with figures showing that the January-March period consistently records the most transactions.

This new year is being forecast as the busiest since the onset of the global financial crisis, with first quarter 2012 sales expected to be 25 per cent above December figures, compared to an 18 per cent increase for the same period in previous years.

Oliver Hume's Queensland manager of research Josh Brown said there were a number of factors which would bolster apartment sales over the coming months. "It's no surprise that summer has traditionally been the most popular time for purchasers to secure an apartment on the Gold Coast, as the city receives a huge influx of visitors at this time of year," he said.

"Interest rates are much lower this year and we have recently had a number of projects come back on to the market under the control of receivers, so buyers will be keen to take advantage of discount prices.

"The recent Commonwealth Games announcement has also boosted confidence in the Gold Coast, so I expect we will be seeing more purchasers ready to make a move now in order to capitalise on anticipated future growth."

Mr Brown said while overall sales were still expected to be below pre-GFC levels, product variety and government incentives would help to ignite buyer interest.

"The only time when the summer period has been eclipsed in terms of sales was between June-September 2009, when a rush was recorded as purchasers acted to finalise contracts before the $21,000 First Home Buyer Boost ended," he said.

"With the current Queensland Government $10,000 Building Boost ceasing at the end of January, we expect to see a similar level of urgency from buyers.

"Another benefit of stock levels increasing via receiver projects being placed on the market is purchasers will have a greater variety of product to choose from, at prices in line with current market conditions -- it's a recipe for sales success."

Statistics show January-March sales figures had fluctuated between 2008 and 2011. The Gold Coast recorded an average of just 75 apartment sales in the first quarter of 2008 on the back of the GFC, but rebounded to notch up an average of 548 sales in 2009 and 658 sales in 2010 before the figure fell to 438 in 2011.

"Apartments have generally been favoured above land and homes," Mr Brown said.