Construction is now underway at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/cumulus-grand-villas-carrara-17-baltimore-court-carrara-qld-4211">Cumulus Grand Villas</a> in Carrara, with all stages fully funded as <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/venturecrowd-property-projects">VentureCrowd</a> progresses its 59-residence gated community on an elevated ridgeline overlooking 100 hectares of natural savanna.

The commencement marks a key milestone for the Gold Coast project, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a> and being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/devcon">Devcon Property Group</a>, at a time when buyers are placing greater emphasis on delivery certainty and builder track record.

With Devcon active in South East Queensland since 1993 and having delivered more than 1,000 homes, the team is positioning Cumulus as a fully financed, under-construction offering in a market where risk mitigation has become a central consideration for off-the-plan purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360496]

Located at 17 Baltimore Court, Cumulus Grand Villas comprises 59 three- and four-bedroom villas across four collections, Skyline, Canopy, Savanna and Broadview. Pricing starts from $1,455,000, with completion of the first stage targeted for Q4 2026.

Across the four collections, each design represents an expansive and thoughtfully considered offering. The Broadview provides additional flexibility within its floorplan, incorporating a multipurpose room or optional additional bedroom, and is priced from $1,895,000.&nbsp;

Configured across two levels, the four-bedroom villas feature two master bedrooms with private ensuites, as well as a multipurpose room (MPR), supporting intergenerational living, guest accommodation, or the creation of a dedicated retreat space.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360497]

The main living areas are positioned on the ground floor, while the bedrooms are located upstairs, a configuration that promotes both family separation and connected living. All villas include a second master suite on the ground floor, reinforcing the project’s focus on flexibility and long-term adaptability.

That adaptability was central to BDA Architecture’s design approach. The team sought to create a sophisticated, low-maintenance product that makes the most of the site’s elevation and outlook while responding to evolving household needs. Expansive glazing, open-plan interiors and private outdoor areas draw in natural light and frame views towards the savanna, hinterland and Broadbeach skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360470]

VentureCrowd Director of Property David Whitting said the project responds to a growing group of buyers reassessing what premium living on the Gold Coast looks like.

Flexible floorplans have proven particularly relevant for purchasers aged between 40 and 65, including next home buyers, downsizers and investors. The inclusion of dual master suites in the Broadview design, along with options for a downstairs MPR or guest bedroom, allows homes to adapt as family dynamics shift, whether accommodating older parents, adult children, or extended stays.

Across the community, villas are specified with European appliances and premium fixtures and fittings, alongside double garages and landscaped private areas. The gated enclave includes number plate recognition entry, reinforcing a focus on security and exclusivity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360474]

Lifestyle amenity is anchored by the Infinity Terrace, an elevated communal space incorporating a 20m heated pool, alfresco zones and barbecue facilities, designed as a shared retreat within the neighbourhood. A two-acre private nature reserve with walking trails and rehabilitated bushland further integrates the development with its savanna-edge setting, reflecting a broader masterplan initiative to restore native vegetation and habitat corridors.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/carrara-qld-4211">Carrara</a>’s positioning continues to attract attention from prestige buyers seeking proximity to the coast without beachfront pricing. The suburb offers access to major retail centres including Pacific Fair and Robina Town Centre, is around 15 minutes from Broadbeach, and benefits from connectivity via the M1 to Brisbane and the Gold Coast Airport.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135663]

Joel Robinson

VentureCrowd’s Cumulus Grand Villas in Carrara advances with construction underway

Joint venture partners <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">PERIFA</a> are officially launching the third and final residential stage at their landmark $350 million harbourfront precinct, Putney Wharf, with The Residences representing the final opportunity to secure a new home within this rare waterfront destination.

Strong demand has already been established across the earlier stages of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-residences-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a>, with more than 50 per cent sold ahead of this final release. The Residences will introduce a selection of the precinct’s most premium apartments, many of which were deliberately reserved for this concluding stage.

Located at 20 Waterview Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/putney-nsw-2112">Putney</a> NSW, the completed precinct will comprise 67 residences, including 18 terraces and 49 apartments, alongside five retail tenancies and a 36-berth marina.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=1338]

Developed alongside partners Phoenix Property Investors and Mitsubishi Estate Asia, Putney Wharf occupies a prized 300-metre stretch of absolute waterfront and incorporates the historic former Halvorsen’s Boatshed. The precinct connects directly to surrounding parklands via a landscaped foreshore walkway and a large, landscaped podium linking both sides of the development to the adjoining foreshore parklands.

The Residences comprise two newly built, three-storey apartment buildings delivering a boutique collection of 30 generously proportioned waterfront apartments. Designed to capture harbour outlooks, natural light and cooling breezes, The Residences balance architectural refinement with relaxed, low-maintenance living.

Architecturally designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the apartments continue the cohesive design language seen across the broader precinct. A refined palette of light and dark materials, softer-toned stone and neutral, earthy finishes reflect the surrounding landscape and harbour setting. Interiors feature painted timber veneers, tactile joinery, timber flooring to living spaces and 100 per cent natural wool carpets in bedrooms, creating warm and sophisticated homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362525]

Justin Brown, Executive Chairman and Founder of Abadeen, said the release of the final residential stage marks an important milestone for the project.

“Putney Wharf brings together everything we’ve learned over more than 25 years of development,” Mr Brown said. “It respects the site’s extraordinary maritime history while delivering contemporary homes that connect people directly to the harbour.

The Residences offer the rare combination of low-maintenance apartment living, waterfront outlooks with beautiful sunset views, and the convenience of retail and amenity at your doorstep. For boating enthusiasts, the opportunity to secure a private marina berth completes a truly unique Sydney harbourfront lifestyle.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=291197]

PERIFA Managing Director and Co-Founder Fabrizio Perilli added that the diversity of housing across the precinct has been central to the project’s success.

“Whether it’s the heritage Halvorsen’s apartments, the Waterview Terraces or now The Residences, Putney Wharf offers a range of homes that respond to different lifestyles, all united by an unrivalled harbourfront setting,” Perilli said. “This is a precinct that will add lasting value to the Putney community.”

Managing project marketing and sales, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Partner Tim Rees said the final release has already attracted strong demand reflecting the project’s unique harbourfront position and the success of earlier stages.

“Following the strong response to both the Halvorsen’s Boatshed residences and the Waterview Terraces, The Residences represent the final chance to secure a new home within this tightly held waterfront precinct,” Rees said. “Buyers are drawn to the rare combination of absolute harbour frontage, parkside living and genuine architectural quality.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362240]

Putney Wharf is a one-of-a-kind mixed-use destination, delivering an exclusive residential offering alongside waterfront dining, retail and a 36-berth marina designed to the latest Australian Standards, accommodating vessels up to 18 metres and helping address Sydney Harbour’s ongoing marina shortage.

The precinct will include five retail tenancies and a prominent waterfront jetty area fronting the retail village, creating an activated harbourfront destination for residents and visitors alike.

Residents will enjoy direct access to lush harbourfront parklands, a public foreshore walkway and landscaped podium gardens connecting the development to the surrounding waterfront reserve. Construction across the Putney Wharf precinct is expected to be completed by Q2 2027.

Sales of The Residences officially launch this weekend, with the display suite open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12pm at Putney Wharf. Visitors are invited to enjoy a complimentary coffee while touring The Residences and experiencing the Putney Wharf lifestyle firsthand.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13962]

Final Harbourfront release in Putney Wharf launches this weekend

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/draycon">Draycon Building</a> is nearing completion of Boutique Chevron Island, a 42-apartment development on the northern end of Chevron Island at 17–19 Parneno Street, with a limited-time offer of fully furnished apartments available.

Now more than 90 per cent complete, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/boutique-chevron-island-17-19-parneno-chevron-island-qld-4217">Boutique</a> has been shaped by one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held island addresses, where riverfront outlooks and walkable access to Surfers Paradise converge.

For Draycon Building Managing Director Howard Dabit, the appeal of the site was immediate.

“I knew it was a good site as soon as I saw it,” Dabit said.

“The position and location on the north end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>, the way the river swirls around the site basically from the north to the east, it feels like the site is surrounded by the water. The height that we’ve got and the aspect looking north is beautiful. Eighty per cent of the apartments are looking north so they get that drenching sunlight coming in.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360922]

That northern orientation places the development within a stretch of Chevron Island defined by open river aspects and skyline views, while remaining embedded in the suburb’s established village setting.

Chevron Island has increasingly drawn owner-occupiers seeking centrality without the intensity of high-rise beachfront living. Positioned at the geographical centre of the Gold Coast, the island offers direct access to both the beach and key cultural infrastructure while retaining a neighbourhood-scale character.

Connected by bridge to Surfers Paradise, Chevron Island offers walkable access to beaches, riverfront parklands and a revitalised foreshore boulevard animated by walkers and cyclists throughout the day. The Pacific Ocean is only minutes away, reinforcing the suburb’s dual river-and-surf identity.

At the same time, Thomas Drive forms the spine of the island’s village life, delivering cafés, wine bars, casual dining and everyday services within easy reach. Independent grocers, wellness operators and neighbourhood retailers contribute to a community atmosphere that remains distinct from the vertical scale of the beachfront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360915]

In the opposite direction, the Green Bridge links directly to HOTA – Home of the Arts – placing galleries, performance venues and parklands within walking distance. Weekly markets and major exhibitions draw visitors from across the region, while residents return to a quieter residential pocket at day’s end.

Public transport, including nearby bus routes and the G:link light rail corridor along the coastal spine, strengthens connectivity north and south. Griffith University, the Gold Coast University Hospital precinct and established private schools such as The Southport School are all within a short drive.

Ongoing investment across Surfers Paradise, HOTA and the broader Southport corridor has elevated amenity while preserving Chevron Island’s comparatively low-rise residential character. It is this balance, walkable village atmosphere paired with metropolitan-scale infrastructure, that continues to differentiate the suburb from higher-density beachfront precincts.

Boutique comprises just 42 residences, designed to maximise river and skyline outlooks within this tightly held island setting.

Boutique Chevron Island is slated for completion in April 2026, with prices starting from $1,220,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=89709]

Draycon Building’s Boutique Chevron Island places 42 residences at the heart of the Gold Coast

Sydney developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> has secured planning approval for a $300 million residential development in Lindfield, marking the company’s second project on Sydney’s North Shore and its first on the Upper North Shore.

Located on Beaconsfield Parade and designed by DKO Architecture, the state significant development comprises three buildings of up to 10 storeys and will include 399 residences, including 59 affordable homes and 40 adaptable homes.

Residences will range in size from one, two and three bedrooms, with two-bedroom apartments accounting for over 60 per cent of the product make-up. Residents will have access to a broad suite of amenities, including a wellness area, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, a pool, a gym, a community room and a golf simulator.

In line with Deicorp’s long-standing focus on creating transit-oriented communities, the project is located just 260 metres from the Lindfield Train Station, reinforcing its role in delivering well-connected housing close to established infrastructure, retail and local services.

The inclusion of affordable and adaptable housing supports greater diversity within the local market, while the mix of apartment types responds to demand from downsizers, young professionals and families seeking access to the Upper North Shore.

Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri OAM said the approval represents an important milestone for both the company and the suburb

“This approval allows us to deliver well-designed homes in a location that is already supported by strong transport and community infrastructure," Deiri said.

"Our focus is on creating places that integrate into their surroundings and provide long-term value for residents, and the broader Lindfield community. Being within walking distance of the station ensures this project supports sustainable growth in the right locations."

Across its portfolio, Deicorp currently has 4,703 apartments under construction, playing a leading role in shaping connected, liveable communities across Sydney.

Its expanding portfolio of Metro-linked developments includes Tallawong Village, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kings-bay-village-five-dock-53-75-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">Kings Bay Village</a> in Five Dock, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hyde-metropolitan-sydney-133-141-liverpool-street-sydney-nsw-2000">Hyde Metropolitan</a> in Sydney CBD, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-crows-nest-8-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a> in Crows Nest and Showground Village, Castle Hill.

Deicorp purchased the Beaconsfield Paradise site last year. Construction is scheduled to commence in Q2 of 2026 and will be completed in 2029.

Deicorp expands portfolio to nearly 5,000 apartments with Lindfield project

In a joint venture with The Trump Organization, Australia developer Altus Property Group has announced plans to bring a Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower to the Gold Coast, marking the first Trump-branded project in Australia.

"Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast is our first official project in Australia and reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class luxury experiences in iconic locations around the world," Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, said.

"This development exemplifies the Trump brand’s dedication to quality, sophistication, and unmatched service, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to the vibrant Gold Coast community."

The 91-storey building, which will become the tallest in Australia at 335 metres, will feature a&nbsp;285-room luxury hotel bearing the trademark Trump logo. It will also include 272 luxury residential apartments, a three-level podium with an exclusive Beach Club, and over 3,400 sqm of premium commercial, retail, and dining space, revitalizing the central Surfers Paradise precinct.

“Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast will be a truly unique offering in the Australian market, bringing the prestige and allure of a world-class luxury brand,"&nbsp;Altus founder and chief executive David Young said.

"Altus Property Group is proud of its track record in delivering landmark developments across Australia, and our expertise ensures this project will be an outstanding success."

Trump Hotel heads for the Gold Coast to become Australia's tallest building

Regional Victoria

The decision to buy the site of Geelong Quarter at 44 Ryrie Street back in 2017 was flagged as crazy by many, with Franze Developments Founder, Paul Franze, labelled “mad” even.&nbsp;

Now with 111 out of 124 apartments sold, including all 15 luxury residences, in the group’s twin-tower Geelong Quarter project, Franze has silenced the critics.&nbsp;

"If I remember back in 2017 when we were first offered the site. We had no idea at the time it would lead to us building the 1st Hotel in the city for some 20 plus years and the biggest private and largest mixed-use development in Geelong. Yet we had vision and we saw how Geelong was growing fast," Franze said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The group also secured British hotel giant IHG Hotels &amp; Resorts and its Holiday Inn brand as the operator for the project’s 180-room hotel, the first new accommodation offering in the city for over 20 years.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5559 project_image_fid=168395]

It’s been a long five years, with a pandemic in between, with the 15-level project topping out last month.&nbsp;

On the site of a former bus depot, the $200 million project has paved the way for developers, realising the potential of the state’s second city, which is only set to continue to develop.&nbsp;

As one of the biggest private sector developments in the bayside city, Geelong Quarter has launched a renaissance in the area, with the momentum of buyers looking to live outside the CBD only growing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5559 project_image_fid=195131]

Geelong’s proximity to some of the best surf beaches in the world, not to mention being home to a resurgent Geelong Cats team, have all added further gloss to the booming regional centre, Franze said.

“More than five million visitors come to Geelong annually, 45 per cent of which are overnight stays. The strong owner-occupier market, combined with the population boom, means there’s demand to cater for visitors to the city, as well as residents and workers. The Geelong Quarter has been designed with this in mind, to cultivate significant activity that will add incredible value to the city." he said.

Both the apartments and the hotel will further embed Geelong’s rising status, with the population expected to increase by 124,000 between now and 2041, along with being a popular tourist destination.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5559 project_image_fid=173776]

On the residential side, plans by the City of Greater Geelong to quadruple the Geelong CBD residential population to more than 10,000 by 2030 is expected to drive demand for around 2500 apartments, while its liveability status has only been enhanced by the work-from-home trend.

Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said Central Geelong’s population is growing faster than the broader municipality.

“Geelong Quarter will not only attract new residents, but also lift the standard of accommodation for visitors keen to explore the city,” he said.&nbsp;

“This development is a great indication of the level of activity and investment the area is experiencing, as more people learn why Central Geelong is an attractive place to live, work and socialise.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5559 project_image_fid=195130]

Further tipping the scales in the move to Geelong comes with the Port of Geelong, which will soon be the sailing point for the Spirit of Tasmania, as well as the $140 million redevelopment of the Geelong Arts Centre, which is situated across the road from Geelong Quarter.&nbsp;

The Franze vision was to create a new gateway site at the south-western end of Ryrie Street, but also create a new link between the CBD, the cultural precinct and the bay.

"I suppose in life nothing comes easy and this development is a true reflection of this, we initially set out on developing a hotel, office and mixed use development, then Covid hit and we quickly realised that trying to development and spec 9000 sqm office building with no tenants was going to be a monumental task, so we &nbsp;altered our direction and subsequent permit to what you see here today, the largest mixed use development in Geelong,” Franze said.

Residents of the apartments in Geelong Quarter can expect to move in before the year’s out, while the hotel is expected to open its doors by late January.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5559 project_image_fid=88246]

The final collection of residences in Geelong Quarter are currently selling, with only 13 remaining in Ryrie Home.

Ryr​ie Home features a collection of 109 one, two and three-bedroom apartments that benefit from a Rooftop Residents terrace with BBQ and northern bay views.&nbsp;

Residents will also benefit from room service, housekeeping, a swimming pool, business centre, flexible meeting, and function spaces, all atop the newly built hotel.&nbsp;

RPM Sales Director, Nic Cuni, said he had been fielding a flurry of enquiries post the final siren.&nbsp;

"There's been a number of calls from people who had been flirting with the idea of buying an apartment at Ryrie Home. With only 13 apartments remaining and all larger owner-occupier north facing, I'm expecting the footy hype will flow over into solid deals."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5559]

alisonwarters@gmail.com

Geelong Quarter's Ryrie Home nears sell-out as completion approaches

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EXPERT OBSERVER

I’ve been telling our customers for the past two years that the outstanding property market in Australia is Regional Victoria.

And multiple data sources continue to support the view that anyone seeking affordable property, good rental yields and in particular great capital growth would be wise to consider Regional Victoria.

There is no other market jurisdiction in Australia that has delivered so many locations with double-digit growth in their median prices in the past 12 months. Equally, Regional Victoria is a national leader on locations with strong long-term capital growth rates.

The regional areas of Victoria were also prominent in the latest Pain and Gain Report from CoreLogic which highlights the number of properties sold for a profit in the September 2019 Quarter.

Why is Regional Victoria doing so well? Partly it’s because Victoria is the No.1 economy in the nation. The latest State of the States report from CommSec confirms Victoria as the leading economic performer in the nation, with New South Wales slipping down the rankings to third.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5559]

And partly it’s because Victoria continues to be the No.1 state for population growth, gaining significantly from both overseas and interstate migration.

Victoria’s ranking as the No.1 economy and population growth state isn’t just about Melbourne – the regions have been major contributors to the state’s success.

Recent data on unemployment showed that Regional Victoria leads the states in jobs growth and has the lowest unemployment rate. ABS data shows that 20,000 people found work in regional Victoria in the three months to November.

Regional Victoria’s jobless rate is 3.7% – the lowest in the nation and well below the average regional rate of 5.1%. In the past five years, regional Victoria’s unemployment rate has decreased by 2.9 percentage points.

This is translating into exceptional performance in real estate.

CoreLogic’s quarterly Pain and Gain report (which compares the prices of properties sold in the September Quarter with their previous sale) found that Hobart was the national leader – 98% of houses sold made a profit.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27406]

But close behind in second place was Regional Victoria, where 97% of houses sold for a price higher than the vendors paid previously (ahead of Melbourne’s 96% and Sydney’s 92% - and the national average of 90%).

In terms of apartments, Regional Victoria ranked third in the national (94%), well above the national average of 80%, Sydney’s 87% and Melbourne’s 85%.

The out-performance of Regional Victoria locations shows up in price growth data for the past year and also for the past decade.

Dozens of Regional Victorian locations have recorded double-digit growth in their median house prices in the past 12 months.

Ballarat has been particularly outstanding, with Ballarat Central (13%), Brown Hill (20%), Golden Point (18%), Lake Wendouree (11%), Mt Pleasant (21%) and Wendouree (10%) all producing strong price growth.

The City of Greater Geelong also produced multiple growth leaders, including Barwon Heads (12%), Bell Park (12%) and Drysdale (20%).

Other high-growth locations were spread around the state, including Newborough (16%), Wonthaggi (14%), Heathcote in Bendigo (17%), Maldon (17%), Irymple near Mildura (23%), Daylesford (13%) and Mansfield (13%).

This kind of growth in not a one-off event – many Regional Victorian locations have long-term capital growth rates above 7% per year, with some nudging 9% per year – which puts them alongside the best in the nation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29358]

The City of Greater Geelong, Ballarat and the Macedon Ranges LGA all have multiple locations with capital growth rates between 7% and 9% per year.

Lake Wendouree in Ballarat has averaged 8.9%, while Woodend (Macedon Ranges) and Norlane (Geelong) have both averaged 8.7% per year.

Others with capital growth rates above 8% per year include Beveridge, Daylesford, Maldon, Geelong (the suburb), Kyneton and Herne Hill (Geelong).

TERRY RYDER is the founder of hotspotting.com.au ryder@hotspotting.com.au twitter.com/hotspotting
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Regional Victoria is Australia's most outstanding property market: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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This summer has earmarked a trend in Australians keen to invest in a holiday home to call their own.

“With the costs of renting a holiday home soaring thanks to huge local demand, combined with record-low interest rates, we’re experiencing a unique situation where it may actually be more cost-effective to buy rather than regularly rent a holiday home”, said David Hancock, senior financial planner at Montara Wealth.

In Victoria, the major coastal regional market of Geelong is seeing an increase in value. Geelong remained the most profitable regional coastal markets in the last CoreLogic pain and gain report, with 98.6 per cent of properties selling at a profit.

To assist in your search, Urban takes a look at six stunning coastal properties to consider in the Garden State. 
 

1. Vista Apartments, Highett 
Address: 9 Remington Drive, Highett VIC 3190 
Two-bedroom apartments from $699,500

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3303]

If you’re looking for a home in Melbourne’s coastal Bayside, look no further than Vista Apartments.

Combining 154 apartments designed to accommodate a modern lifestyle, Vista is the second stage of Hallmarc’s Kingston Park masterplanned community/

Addressing the need to express your individuality with the desire for connectivity is at the heart of this project’s design with open-plan living areas, rustic timber flooring, and a large breakfast bar for social dining and entertaining.

Exclusive, outdoor communal spaces allow residents to mingle with neighbours, and offer informal outdoor seating, manicured gardens and courtyard space.

Residents at Vista will have access to a heated swimming pool, fully-equipped gym and inspiring views that overlook the expansive parklands of Sir William Fry Reserve. 
 

2. Sandy Hill Penthouse, Sandringham 
Address: 222 Bay Road, Sandringham VIC 3191 
Three-bedroom penthouse from $1,950,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=324]

With Melbourne’s best beaches at Half Moon Bay just two kilometres away, Blueprint Projects’ Sandy Hill Penthouse provides the ideal coastal getaway from busy city living.

Perched atop the ninth floor of the Master Builders Association award-winning complex, the three-bedroom penthouse European oak parquetry flooring, executive-quality study with integrated desk and triple-glazed window suites.

Designed by Watson Young Architects, the contemporary penthouses feature a fireplace, cocktail bar and bespoke kitchen.

Ideal for entertaining family and friends, the home includes a wrap-around terrace that boasts stunning views out to the bay, city and Dandenong Ranges.  
 

3. Avenue, Brighton East 
Address: 14 Gleniffer Avenue, Brighton East VIC 3187 
Three-bedroom townhouses from $2,290,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29935]

Less than five kilometres from Brighton Beach, Avenue townhomes provide something a little different for the coastal home lover.  

Delivered by Skelton and designed by innovative architecture practice ADDARC, Avenue engages with Japanese-influenced charred timber and production-grade zinc to create a moody and modern home.

The perfectly crafted three-bedroom townhomes feature expansive, light-filled living and dining, 4.4-metre-high cathedral ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and exceptionally appointed kitchens.

Beyond the home’s living areas, the development features a lush private garden designed by renowned Jack Merlo and a private garage for two or three cars will protect your cars from potentially harmful sea breezes. 
 

4. Ryrie Home, Geelong 
Address: 44 Ryrie Street, Geelong VIC 3220 
One-bedroom apartments from $375,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5559]

Ryrie Homes is perfect for residents who desire to make the best of Australia’s fastest-growing regional city whilst still enjoying a peaceful coastal lifestyle.

Delivered by Franzé, the project puts the focus on what really matters, and joy in the simplest pleasures.

Each apartment has been cleverly designed to deliver great amenity, comfort and abundant storage, with timber flooring, beautiful finishes and quality fixtures.

Designed by Architectus, Ryrie enjoys panoramic bay views and alfresco dining for year-round holiday living.

With the foreshore, 500m north and the CBD, 500m east—as well as parks, theatres, galleries, cafés and restaurants all within walking distance—Ryrie Home offers a level of culture and connection unmatched in Geelong. 
 

5. Awaken, Brighton 
Address: 30-32 Roding Street, Brighton VIC 3186 
Two-bedroom apartments from $1,150,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30087]

Located a six-minute drive from Brighton Beach, and nearby Sandringham Yacht Club and the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Awaken provides unmatched leisure amenities, perfect as a holiday home or holiday-style living.

Delivered by SKELTLON, the collection of 13 townhomes are designed by celebrated Melbourne architect, Travis Walton, with landscaping by ACRE.

In summer, push open the full-width doors and enjoy your spacious outdoor courtyard, with plenty of space for alfresco dining or relaxing with a good book amongst the verdant greenery.

The development boasts meticulous detail and contemporary design. It includes natural oak timber flooring, full wall storage, a stunning statement fireplace and lush, cascading greenery. 
 

6. Sixth Avenue, Chelsea Heights 
Address: 15 Sixth Avenue, Chelsea Heights VIC 3196 
Two-bedroom townhouses from $599,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32136]

Realise your bayside dream with exceptional coastal living at Sixth Avenue in sought-after Chelsea Heights.

The 59-townhouse development, delivered by Aultun Group, provides the ideal Melbourne Bayside abode with an endless array of retail, dining and recreational amenities, as well as two-storey designs and expansive private courtyards.

Designed by Point Architect, the homes boast sleek interchanging façades that blend soft greys with rich earthy tones.

The contemporary townhomes deliver space and function, with light-filled interiors, elegant bedroom retreats and a gourmet kitchen.
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Urban takes a look at six stunning coastal properties to consider in the Garden State

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More than just the Garden State: Check out six of the best coastal developments across Victoria

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EXPERT INSIGHT

Hobart and regional Victoria profit most, shows latest CoreLogic Pain and Gain report

CoreLogic’s Pain and Gain report for the September 2020 quarter released today has revealed Hobart retained its position as the capital city with the highest rate of profit making resales at 96.6%, while regional Victoria was the most profitable ‘rest of state’ region with 97.5% of dwellings sold for a profit in the three months to September.

Nationally, the proportion of resales that made a profit was 88.1% or $24.8 billion in profits, up from 87.2% or $19.8 billion in the June 2020 quarter. However, the amount of losses also deepened on non-profitable sales, from -$885 million in the June quarter to -$1.2 billion in September.

The Pain and Gain analysis for the September quarter reflects the resilience seen in the property market throughout 2020.

Each of the greater capital city markets, with the exception of Melbourne, saw an increase in the rate of profit making sales over the September quarter. The highest rate of profit making sales was across Hobart, which has been the case since March 2018.

Coastal regional markets were also particularly profitable for sellers, with profit making sales representing over 95% of resales across six major coastal markets: Geelong, Illawarra, the Mid North Coast, the Newcastle Lake Macquarie region, the Richmond Tweed region and the Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast hit a record high rate of profit making sales in the September quarter at 96.4%.

Comparing the capital cities to regional Australia, the portion of profit-making sales increased more rapidly across the regions than capitals.

The combined regional Australian market saw the rate of profit making sales increase 150 basis points, to 89.2% in the September quarter, while the rate of profitability across capital city markets expanded 30 basis points, to 87.2%. This also reflects the divergent performance between regional and capital city real estate markets through 2020.

Houses vs Units

The report also demonstrates that there was generally a higher rate of return for houses ($225,000) than units ($125,000).

Profitability across both houses and units rose across Australia in the September 2020 quarter. The portion of properties sold at a loss among houses fell from 10.2% in the three months to June to 9.6%, while the portion of loss making unit sales fell from 21.4% to 19.6%.

The differential between house and unit profitability narrowed to 10 percentage points in the September quarter, down from 11.2 percentage points in the three months to June. The narrowed differential was a result of unit profitability rising faster than that of houses. Even though the rate of loss making sales declined faster across the unit segment, units were still about 2 times more likely to sell for a loss than houses in the September quarter.

Investors vs Owner Occupiers

A higher portion of property investors sold their dwelling at a loss during the September quarter compared with owner occupiers. Investor sales in the September quarter saw 17.1% of properties sell for a loss, compared with 10.4% of owner occupied sales.

Despite the higher rate of loss observed in investor sales in the quarter, the rate of properties re-sold at a loss was down from 18.0% in the June quarter, while the rate of loss making sales among owner occupiers was down from 11.1%.

The only region where there was a higher incidence of loss making sales among owner occupiers was across Hobart. This has been a consistent trend across the past few quarters. In the three months to September, 3.2% of owner occupied resales saw a nominal loss, compared with just 1% of investor sales.

The relatively low level of loss making sales among both cohorts reflects the exceptional capital growth across the Hobart market. CoreLogic home value indices show dwelling values across Hobart have seen annualised growth of 7.9% for the 5 years to December 2020, the highest annualised growth rate of the capital city markets.

Hold periods

Analysing returns by hold period suggests a greater amount of gain comes from more time in the market.

Over the September 2020 quarter, the median hold period of re-sale events across Australia was approximately 8.5 years. For profit making sales, the median hold period was 9 years, while loss making sales were typically held for 6.7 years. For houses and units, typical hold periods were longer across profit making resales.

The Australian housing market is expected to improve further in the coming months. With record low mortgage rates, a faster than expected economic recovery and relatively low cases of COVID-19, profitability is tipped to trend upwards over the coming quarters.

Eliza Owen is CoreLogic’s Head of Research Australia
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Regional Victoria and Hobart homes profited most in Q4 2020: CoreLogic's Eliza Owen

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Regional Victoria is the stand-out market in Australian real estate. Against a backdrop of Regional Australia providing the leading growth markets across the nation, Regional Victoria has large numbers of towns and suburbs with rising buyer demand and the strongest price growth anywhere in Australia. 
Our Summer survey of sales activity has identified 51 markets in Regional Victoria with rising demand, the highest since we started our quarterly sales surveys four years ago. Only Adelaide among the nation’s market jurisdictions has more growth markets than Regional Victoria – which also has another 90 locations with steady buyer demand.
The uplift in markets in Victoria outside Melbourne has created exceptional price growth: our latest survey has found 118 locations with median house price growth above 5% in the past 12 months, including 85 above 10% - of which 25 have grown more than 20%. A key factor is that most of these places have delivered price growth in the most recent quarter, as well as the past year, which means prices are still growing.
The leading locations are Clunes and Macedon (top) up 36%; Bunyip and North Wonthaggi 32%; Norlane 29%; Trentham 28%; Port Fairy 27%; Corio and Newcomb 26%; Warragul 24%; Officer, Cockatoo, Romsey, Whittington and Indented Head 22%; Inverloch, Loch Sport, Maryborough and Golden Point 21%; Avoca, Beveridge, Broadford, Maddingley, St Leonards and Woodend all 20%.
Bendigo, which overtook previous market leader Ballarat in our Spring 2018 survey, has increased its lead in the Summer survey. It now has 10 suburbs with rising demand, making it one of the leading LGAs in the nation. Growth suburbs include California Gully, Golden Square, Kangaroo Flat, Long Gully, Maiden Gully and North Bendigo.
The recent surge in sales activity is starting to create solid price growth, with California Gully, Eaglehawk, Flora Hill, Heathcote, Kennington and North Bendigo all up 6-8% in the past year. Like Ballarat, Bendigo is attracting both investors and home-buyers from Melbourne and elsewhere.
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Growth markets in Ballarat, which is ahead of Bendigo in the market cycle, have reduced to five and there are now 10 suburbs classified as “plateau” markets.  The previous uplift in demand has created a climate where most Ballarat suburbs are delivering big price growth: 14 suburbs are up by more than 5% in the past year, headed by Golden Point (21%), Buninyong (15%), Ballarat North (15%), Redan (16%) and Wendouree (17%).
A new contender has emerged in our past two quarterly surveys: the towns of the Latrobe Valley. Traralgon, Churchill, Moe, Morwell and Newborough all have growth markets. Quarterly sales in Churchill have been rising steadily, with the median house price up 9% in the past 12 months – but still below $200,000.
Quarterly sales have also risen in Moe in the past year and its median has grown 3%, but also remains below $200,000. This high level of affordability is a key drawcard for this market, which is being boosted by government investment to mitigate the impact of power station closures.
Geelong remains a strong market – one of the nation’s most prolific – but sales activity is no longer growing the way it has over the past two years. It now has more plateau markets than rising ones. But the strong demand of the past two years continues to deliver price growth – 24 suburbs of Greater Geelong have risen more than 10% in the past 12 months, with Corio, Norlane, Newcomb, St Leonards, Whittington and Indented Head all above 20%. 
Other regions where demand has passed its peak but price growth remains high include the LGAs of Cardinia (Pakenham, Officer, Bunyip and Emerald), Baw Baw (Warragul, Drouin and Trafalgar), Mitchell (Broadford, Beveridge and Kilmore), Surf Coast (Anglesea, Apollo Bay and Torquay), Bass Coast (Cowes, Inverloch and Wonthaggi) and Macedon Ranges (Gisborne, Kyneton, Romsey and Woodend).
But new growth markets are now occurring right across Victoria. At Portland in the far south-west of the state – quarterly sales have been on an upward trajectory for the past two years.
Also in the south-west, there’s rising activity in Warrnambool, with median prices up 14% in Koroit and 7% in Warrnambool, while in nearby Port Fairy the median house price has risen 27% to $620,000.
In the Central Goldfields, quarterly sales in Maryborough have increased in the past 12 months and its median house price has grown 21% to $225,000.
In the far east of the state, three locations in East Gippsland have rising demand – Bairnsdale, Eastwood and Lakes Entrance. Quarterly sales in Bairnsdale have grown from 50-55 12-18 months ago to 70-75 more recently. The median price in Lakes Entrance has grown 12% to $320,000 in the past year, while Metung is up 7% to $365,000.
Other markets with growing signs of uplift include Shepparton, Wangaratta and Wodonga. 
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
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Regional Victorian leads the nation in house price growth: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Regional Victoria remains a stand-out market on price performance, although the two latest quarterly surveys conducted by Hotspotting indicate that sales activity overall is not as strong as 2018. 
Some of the key markets have passed their peaks in terms of buyer demand, although other locations are now rising.
In our Winter survey of sales activity, we have identified 22 markets with rising buyer demand, down from 29 in the Autumn survey and a significant reduction on the 51 in the Summer survey. This is primarily because the two growth leaders of the past couple of years, Geelong and Ballarat (pictured above), have passed their peaks in terms of sales activity.
Other recent growth markets appear to have moderated also, including Cardinia Shire on the south-eastern fringe of Melbourne, where Pakenham and Officer have recorded a significant decline from the previous peak levels of sales activity. But new growth markets are appearing.
We have previously declared Regional Victoria to be the strongest market in the nation. Most of the growth markets that have inspired that assessment have been locations within commutable distance of the Melbourne metropolitan area. Now growth markets are being found in locations more distant from the state capital, including Wodonga, Wangaratta, Port Fairy and Portland.
But the No.1 market continues to be Bendigo. It has overtaken Geelong and Ballarat, based on the number of suburbs with rising sales activity.
Bendigo now has eight suburbs with increasing demand, as well as numerous others with steady sales performance. Growth suburbs include Golden Square, Kangaroo Flat, Kennington, Long Gully, Maiden Gully, White Hills and North Bendigo. Quarterly sales in the suburb of Epsom have grown from 20-25 two years ago to 35-40 more recently. Its median house price ($355,000) is typical of pricing in Bendigo, one of the strongest regional cities of Victoria.
Wangaratta (median house price $315,000) has emerged as a market where sales demand has grown steadily over the past two years. Quarterly sales have risen from 80-85 two years ago to around 120 more recently. Its median price has risen 13% in the past 12 months.
Further north at the NSW border, Wodonga (median $340,000) presents as a solid market with growing strength.
In the western areas of the state, both Port Fairy and Portland have had steady increases in quarterly sales. Portland’s quarterly sales pattern of 33, 41, 45, 48, 48, 52, 76, 86, 77, 79, 95, 90 and 101indicates a market that has grown steadily over the past three years, with its median price up 5% to $240,000 in the past 12 months. Port Fairy’s median has increased 7% to $600,000 in the past year.
Geelong has been Victoria’s strongest real estate market in recent years. However, our Winter survey has found only two rising suburbs in terms of sales activity but 20 plateau suburbs, which means sales have tapered off below the former peak levels. There’s a similar trend in Ballarat: it has two rising suburbs, but 11 plateau suburbs and six consistency markets.
Despite being passed their peaks in terms of buyer demand, both Geelong and Ballarat are still delivering significant price growth: 17 suburbs of the City of Greater Geelong and nine in the Ballarat LGA have had double-digit growth in their median house prices in the past year.
A number of Regional Victoria markets have had median price growth above 20% in the past 12 months. Five of them are Geelong suburbs – Indented Head, Mt Duneed, Newcomb, St Leonards and Whittington. Big growth has also occurred in Mt Pleasant and Wendouree, suburbs of Ballarat, as well as Cowes and Wonthaggi in the Bass Coast LGA. 
But the No.1 location in Regional Victoria for annual median price growth is Loch Sport in the Wellington LGA, up 30% in the past 12 months.
Four towns in the Macedon Ranges LGA had recorded double-digit increases in their median house prices, including Woodend which rose 21%. But our Winter survey confirms that this area has peaked in terms of sales activity. It’s a similar story with the Mitchell LGA, where towns like Beveridge, Broadford, Kilmore, Seymour and Wallan have attracted strong buyer interest in the past two years.
Overall, Regional Victoria has been an outstanding performer on price growth, arguably the best in the nation, in the past 12 months. We have analysed price performance for 140 towns and suburbs and found that 89% have median house prices higher than a year ago. Two-thirds of Regional Victoria locations have risen by more than 5%. 
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
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Regional Victoria remains stand-out market, but sales activity drops: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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EXPERT OBSERVER
While media obsesses over big city markets where prices are falling, the nation’s hottest markets keep flying under the radar screens of all but the best-informed investors.
I’ve written a lot about Regional Victoria, which I regard as the nation’s strongest market, in terms of both busy sales activity and big price increases, as well as affordable prices and good rental yields.
Most property watchers will be aware of the strength of markets like Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, but new contenders keep popping up, many of them locations most people would know little about – or have never heard of.
During my most recent Live Q &amp; A on social media, someone asked what I thought about the market in Warburton (pictured top). I had to admit I knew little about the town. But something is happening in Warburton, up in the Yarra Ranges 70km east of central Melbourne. Its median price has risen 17% in the past year to reach $485,000.
Locations with those kind of growth numbers are the norm, not the exception, in Regional Victoria right now. And new ones keep emerging, replacing the early movers as market leaders.
This is because some of the state’s regional markets have passed their peaks. Geelong, for example, has been one of the nation’s most prolific markets in the past two years, but sales activity is no longer growing. It now has more plateau markets than rising ones. 
Other regions where demand has passed its peak (but price growth remains high) include the LGAs of Cardinia (Pakenham, Officer, Bunyip and Emerald), Baw Baw (Warragul, Drouin and Trafalgar), Surf Coast (Anglesea, Apollo Bay and Torquay), Bass Coast (Cowes, Inverloch and Wonthaggi) and Macedon Ranges (Gisborne, Kyneton, Romsey and Woodend).
But new growth markets continue to occur across Victoria. 
At Portland in the far south-west of the state, quarterly sales have been trending steadily upwards for the past two years. With a median house price of $235,000, affordability is a strong attraction, as well as the seaside lifestyle and the noted fishing resource.
Also in the south-west, there’s rising activity in Warrnambool, with median prices up 7% in Koroit and 5% in Warrnambool, while in nearby Port Fairy the median house price has risen 26% to $630,000.
In the Central Goldfields, quarterly sales in Maryborough have increased from 48 to 55 to 71 in the past year and its median house price has grown 18% to $230,000.
In the far east of the state, numerous locations have rising demand, including Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance. The median price in Lakes Entrance has grown 13% to $325,000 in the past year, while Metung is up 7% to $375,000.
Other Regional Victoria markets with growing signs of uplift include Bright (up 17% to $575,000), Shepparton (up 5% to $275,000), Wangaratta (up 14% to $315,000) and Wodonga (up 3% to $350,000).
Another location that blipped on our radar screen recently, thanks to a client inquiry, is the town of Benalla, where the median house price has increased 10% in the past 12 months, but remains attractively cheap at $275,000. One of the big local drivers is a business which has won a major contract with Melbourne’s West Gate Tunnel project, creating 400 local jobs.
And then there’s Echuca. After watching this market chug along steadily for years, I’ve been forced to include it in the new edition of Top 5 Regional Victoria Hotspots - because, well, it can no longer be ignored.
Echuca is one of those strong regional centres which form the backbone of the nation in industries like agriculture, tourism and manufacturing – and while many people have heard of it, few have ever been there.
Hotspotting has often featured Echuca in The Price Predictor Index on the National Top 50 list of most consistent markets, as measured by quarterly sales volumes. Indeed, in one of our 2017 editions of the quarterly report, we named it the nation’s most consistent market.
And it keeps on keeping on, driven by a strong and diversified local economy, and steady growth. In the past 12 months, its median house price has lifted 16% to $365,000.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
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Real estate hotspots continue to emerge in regional Victoria: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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EXPERT OBSERVER
It’s been fascinating watching the ripple effect spread real estate growth throughout regional Victoria.
While the Melbourne market has been in decline in the past 18 months or so (generally speaking - some sectors have strongly resisted price decreases), there’s been notable price growth happening in Victoria markets outside the state capital.
Over the past 12-18 months, I have nominated Regional Victoria as the strongest market in the nation. Regional Victoria has been – and still is - one of the nation’s outstanding jurisdictions on price performance.
The standout feature in my latest analysis of sales activity and price trends is that locations a greater distance from Melbourne are now enjoying significant growth in prices.
Initially, most of the growth markets were locations within commutable distance of the Melbourne metropolitan area. It started with Geelong (pictured above) and, just outside the south-eastern outskirts of the metro area, the key towns of Cardinia Shire, Pakenham (below) and Officer.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/9/16/Pakenham.jpg" alt=""> Pakenham from above.
Then we saw Ballarat and the hill change towns a little north of Melbourne start to grow, as well as the towns of Baw Baw Shire in the east (Warragul and Drouin).
More recently, Bendigo in the north and the towns of the Latrobe Valley in the east have got on board.
And now growth markets are being found in locations more distant from the state capital, including Wodonga, Wangaratta, Echuca and Mildura. Some of the towns of East Gippsland (where I was last week, speaking at two events in busy Bairnsdale) are showing signs of growth as well.
My analysis of price trends shows that 84% of Regional Victoria markets have recorded median price growth in the past 12 months. Price decline of any magnitude is rare: I can find only one regional location where the median house price has fallen more than 5%.
Six out of 10 Regional Victoria markets have recorded median price growth above 5% in the past year – a total of 96 strong growth markets in the state outside of Melbourne, of which 35 have had double-digit growth in their median house prices. Another 39 markets have recorded price growth under 5%.
Ballarat is the standout on price performance. Four suburbs have had annual growth in their median house prices of 20% or more – Mt Pleasant (29%), Brown Hill (22%), Golden Point (21%) and Wendouree (20%).
But the No.1 location for annual price growth is the town of Maldon (below) in the Mt Alexander LGA north of Melbourne, where the median has risen 30% to $525,000 in past 12 months.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/9/16/Maldon.jpg" alt=""> Maldon high street.
Notable price growth is happening elsewhere around the state: locations with annual median price growth between 15% and 20% include Cowes and Wonthaggi in the Bass Coast LGA; Geelong suburbs Drysdale, Whittington and St Leonards; Woodend in the Macedon Ranges LGA; Venus Bay in South Gippsland; Loch Sport in the Wellington LGA; Koo Wee Rup in Cardinia Shire; and Daylesford in the Hepburn LGA.
Many of these markets, especially Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, are attracting buyers out of Melbourne, as both investors and home-buyers seek affordability and/or better rental yields.
And new growth markets are emerging further afield.
Wangaratta (median house price $315,000) has emerged as a market where sales demand has grown steadily over the past two years. Quarterly sales have risen from 80-85 two years ago to around 120 more recently. Its median price has risen 11% in the past 12 months.
Further north at the NSW border, Wodonga (median $340,000) presents as a solid market with growing strength.
In the western precinct of the state, Port Fairy has growing sales activity and its median house price has increased 7% to $615,000 in the past year.
Other precincts which show promise of joining the general growth trend in Regional Victoria include the LGAs of Wellington (where Sale has rising sales activity), Latrobe (including Traralgon and Morwell), and East Gippsland (where Bairnsdale, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance have steady activity, with signs of prices rising).
All those municipalities are east of Melbourne, where growth is gradually rippling out from previous up markets in the LGAs of Cardinia (Pakenham and Officer) and Baw Baw (Warragul and Drouin).
But the growth isn’t just a reaction to the ripple effect and markets following the lead of Melbourne’s recent boom. Markets don’t rise unless something is happening in the local environment – such as a busy local economy, new business ventures, improved transport links and/or new spending on infrastructure.
The background is strong. The state of Victoria is the No.1 ranked economy in the nation, according to CommSec’s State of the States report, and continues to lead the nation on population growth. 
The states leads Australia on a number of other key indicators, including income growth, improvement in the jobless rate, building approvals, uplift in housing affordability and the number of first-home buyers active in the market.
All of that is helping to create the environment in which locations across Victoria have rising property values.
 
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
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More regional Victoria areas seeing over five percent yearly gains: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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EXPERT OBSERVER
We don’t often get sensible analysis of price data from economists - mostly they generalise about “the Australian property market” - but Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan provides an exception.
In a recent article he notes that some sections of the Melbourne market are still strong and that Regional Victoria has many locations with rising prices. 
This correlates with recent Hotspotting research revealing that the cheaper areas of Melbourne still have strong prices while Regional Victoria is the most buoyant market in the nation.
Hassan says Melbourne’s overall price correction “has shown much bigger differences across segments and tiers” than has Sydney. 
“For Melbourne, units and bottom tier areas are holding up much better,” he says, noting that prices across the bottom 25% of the market remain resilient.
“This theme is also apparent across sub-regions. The big movers over the second half of 2018 were Melbourne’s Inner East and Inner South, with the Inner City and West holding up considerably better. 
“Prices are also performing better across Regional Victoria.”
Hassan says that, overall, the city’s rental market remains tight with vacancy rates holding around 2%.
“Meanwhile, rental vacancy rates are extremely tight across Victoria’s regions, having fallen from 2% in late 2017 to just 1.2% in early 2019,” he says. “This in turn suggests the uneven performance is likely to continue.”
Hotspotting’s regular nationwide research into sales activity and price movements has identified numerous growth markets in Regional Victoria.
They include Geelong (above), Ballarat, Bendigo, Pakenham, Officer and Warragul, as well as many smaller towns within an hour or so of Melbourne.
The Price Predictor Index published by Hotspotting ranks Regional Victoria as the No.1 market in Australia for strong sales activity and rising prices.
It has also identified growth markets in the Melbourne metropolitan area.
The generalised data on prices - i.e. one growth figure for the entire nation or for a major city - has Melbourne house prices down, although how much they’ve fallen depends on whose figures you believe. 
One major data source has the Melbourne median house price rising slightly in 2018, while others say it fell 2% or 3%, the latest figure from the ABS says 6% and CoreLogic (which usually has the most negative figures) says Melbourne is down 11%.
These sources have one thing in common: they generalise about very large areas. They lump all of Greater Melbourne, which has 500 suburbs as diverse as Toorak and Epping, into one melting pot, with one figure to describe the whole market. 
But Melbourne has many different scenarios in play, including precincts where prices are still rising. Hotspotting’s suburb-by-suburb analysis shows many of the outer-ring areas still have price growth.
This is confirmed by new data on the suburbs of the Melton LGA in Melbourne’s west. Most Melton suburbs have had annual price growth above 13%.
Melton’s median sits at $410,000 (up 14.5%) while Melton South is $411,750 (up 15.7%), Kurunjang $432,000 (up 19.5%) and Melton West $450,000 (up 13.9%).
The figures confirm that investors who are able to ignore media generalisations and do some real research will have little trouble finding strong markets where prices are growing.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
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The property markets that are thriving in Victoria: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Regional Victoria continues to be a national leader of price performance. No other market jurisdiction in Australia has such a high percentage of locations delivering price growth.
In the past 12 months, 92% of towns and suburbs across Regional Victoria have had growth in their median house prices. Most have increased by more than 5% and many have had double-digit growth.
It’s all part of the Exodus to Affordable Lifestyle, a trend which (contrary to many media reports) did not arise out of the pandemic – it was well under way before 2020 and has been turbo-charged by the lockdown periods.
It’s a trend that first became evident with the rise of markets close to Melbourne three or so years ago, and continues to be a major force in Regional Victoria.
The standouts are Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong, but there are growth markets spread right across the state – from Portland, Warrnambool and Mildura in the west and north-west, to Wodonga in the north and the towns of East Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley in the east.
Most of the suburbs of Ballarat (pictured top), have had double-digit annual growth in their median house prices, including Redan (15%), Alfredton (11%), Ballarat Central (13%), Brown Hill (10%), Canadian (12%), Sebastopol (15%) and Mt Clear (10%).
Bendigo is a little further back in the cycle than Ballarat, but is now delivering growth at comparable levels, led by Strathdale (17%), California Gully (15%) and Eaglehawk (13%).
White Hills, Strathfieldsaye and East Bendigo have all grown 10-11%, while numerous other suburbs have had 8-9% increases over 12 months, including Flora Hill, Kangaroo Flat, North Bendigo, Long Gully and Epsom.
The City of Greater Geelong was the first the regional cities to get on the growth path and has now had 3-4 years of rising prices. But many suburbs are still delivering good uplift in their median prices, led by Drysdale (10%), East Geelong (13%) and Newtown (10%).
Elsewhere, the Strathbogie LGA is a standout, with both Euroa (up 17%) and Nagambie (up 20%) showing exceptional growth.
In the far west of the state, Portland continues to rise, with its median house price up 15%. Warrnambool is another western centre with good growth, up 10% over 12 months.
In other parts of the state, Myrtleford (13%), West Wodonga (10%), Swan Hill (10%), Maddingley (11%), and Beechworth (10%) have all done well.
Overall, Regional Victoria is one of many market jurisdictions which rubbish the general line in mainstream media that house prices in Australia are now recovering after a Covid downturn. In most locations across Australia, notably including Regional Victoria, there never was a downturn.
What we’ve seen, and continue to see, is something approaching a boom.
TERRY RYDER is the founder of hotspotting.com.au <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a> twitter.com/hotspotting
 
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