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Homes within 5km pof central Geelong are proving popular with buyers relocating to the regional city. 31 Catherine St, Geelong West, has just been listed with price hopes from $680,000 to $720,000.

More people will take working from home to the next level and move to regional cities like Geelong as coronavirus restrictions keep offices empty, a researcher says.

Plan1 co-founder Richard Jenkins said people had become accustomed to working from home as conditions for businesses were unlikely to return to pre-COVID normal for several years.

That would drive more to choose lifestyle ahead of proximity to work when deciding on the best place to live, he said.

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Demographic data shows Geelong is already a leading destination for homebuyers, with a 2.8 per cent population annual growth rate the fastest among Australia’s 25 biggest cities.

Plan1 co-founder Richard Jenkins.

Population growth was spread across all age groups, but in the past 10 years, more than 7700 Millennials had moved to Geelong for a more affordable lifestyle, he said.

“It’s all about thinking differently right now,” Mr Jenkins said.

More open space, affordable housing and strong commuter links make Geelong a popular choice for people looking to leave Melbourne.

“It’s been shown remote working can be done and people are saying if I can be in a regional area and be in the office only two days a week, I don’t have to fight that battle to get there.

“I don’t think employers will be able to have 100 per cent of their workplace that they did six months ago in the one office. Even if they want to, they can’t accommodate them.”

Last year, 56 per cent of new residents to Geelong came from greater Melbourne, he said.

First-home buyers Shaun Lenehan and Tia Smith bought in Belmont after the first COVID-19 lockdown after moving from Melbourne.

That’s fuelled Geelong’s urban growth and given confidence to developers for apartment projects like Mercer and Miramar completed in 2019 on the waterfront, and Geelong Quarter — which includes a 4.5-star Holiday Inn hotel and a separate 11-storey Ryrie Home tower that will hold 109 apartments.

Construction on that project, at 44 Ryrie St, Geelong, is expected to start in late 2020.

The Armstrong Creek Town Centre shopping centre located in the fastest growing area in Victoria, seven kilometres south-west of central Geelong.

Sweeteners including a $20,000 regional first-home buyers grant and $25,000 Home builder program have helped the market, while stamp duty is waived for first-time buyers in regional Victoria for homes valued under $600,000.

Geelong real estate agents have witnessed the upswing in Melbourne buyers.

An aerial photo of the 44 Ryrie St $150 million Holiday Inn and apartments site. The developer is Franze Developments hopes to start building later this year. Picture: Alan Barber

The Geelong Quarter project at 44 Ryrie St now includes a second apartment project, left, dubbed Ryrie Home.

“Since April it’s has been ever-increasing,” Hodges, Geelong West agent Marcus Falconer said.

“One of the positives to come out of the pandemic for the property market is that we are seeing a lot of people re-evaluate their lives and most are going to be able to work from home two to four days a week.

This three-bedroom californian bungalow at 76 Mt Pleasant Rd is close to popular shops and eateries in Belmont. It’s listed from $669,000 to $699,000.

“Not only are they getting more time with their families and a better quality of life under the new arrangements, there is going to be some significant financial savings in moving.”

Geelong’s median house price of $596,000, is 20 per cent lower than Melbourne’s $750,000, based on Hometrack data.

Suburbs within a 5km ring of central Geelong is the hot zone, Mr Falconer said.

“Now you’ve got such great facilities out the southern side, with the train line all out the way to Waurn Ponds.”

The post Geelong’s property boon from COVID crisis as city workers eye move to regional Victoria appeared first on realestate.com.au.

This dapper pad at 23 Doncaster Rd, Balwyn North has roared onto the market.

An Art Deco masterpiece fit for a Great Gatsby party has been listed in Balwyn North.

The glamorous property at 23 Doncaster Road was recreated with magnificent 1940s features, including a cinema inspired by Camberwell’s beloved Rivoli Theatre.

Vendors Gilda and John Riccio, who have $3.4-$3.6m price hopes for their four-bedroom home, said it had been the perfect setting for a Great Gatsby-themed birthday party.

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Art Deco fireplaces are throughout the home.

A Rivoli Theatre-inspired cinema will delight.

The real deal. Picture: Susan Windmiller

“We turned the cinema room into a speak-easy with a bar, and filled our main bathroom with gold and black flowers, which ended up being a photo booth,” Mr Riccio said.

“Every room is styled in Art Deco except for the kitchen, which was a conscious decision to make it modern and functional, given we love to entertain.”

A full renovation was undertaken by the couple in 2013, which included adding an extension, creating an open living domain, and adding a deck with a retractable roof to the backyard.

The vendors chose to keep the kitchen completely modern and functional.

1940s furniture bring the rooms to life.

A retractable roof is above the outdoor dining zone.

The rooftop bar at the Rivoli. Picture: Ian Currie

Elegant pendant lights, a marble fireplace, an original wooden staircase and decorative ceilings also add to the grandeur.

Modern features include underfloor heating in the bathrooms, an outdoor kitchen, double-glazed windows and an integrated sound system.

The vendors have decided it’s time to make a sea change, prompting them to put the property on the market despite stage four coronavirus restrictions.

Who knew a bathroom could be so glamorous?

There are multiple living and dining areas inside.

Work from home with plenty of space.

Belle Property Balwyn agent Claire Wenn said “every single bell and whistle” had been added to the incredible home.

She said unique features would help attract buyers, who could inspect the property once stage four coronavirus restrictions ended.

The agency is running an expressions of interest campaign that closes on October 9.

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Fairfield Waters residents Paul and Karen Haughton have moved within their suburb despite going through 2019’s February floods. It’s part of a bounce back for the hard hit suburb, which Explore Property Townsville’s Annette Rowlings say is performing well. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

EIGHTEEN months on from the floods that devastated large parts of Townsville, one of the hardest-hit suburbs is bouncing back with an influx of new residents – and they’re coming from within Townsville.

Fairfield Waters (Idalia) suffered the brunt of the February 2019 monsoonal event, with the prestigious suburb the scene of evacuations, displacements and gutted homes.

Just last year it was a hive of activity with tradies and builders during the day, but resembled an eerie ghost town filled with empty homes each night.

About 1092 homes in Idalia sustained some form of flood damage, according to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services data.

Fairfield Waters residents Paul and Karen Haughton have moved within their suburb despite going through 2019’s February floods. It’s part of a bounce back for the hard hit suburb, which Explore Property Townsville’s Annette Rowlings say is performing well. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

Residents of seven years Paul and Karen Haughton recently moved within the suburb from their home, which didn’t flood, to their new home closer to the river, that did.

Mr Haughton said natural disasters were a part of life in North Queensland and they couldn’t find reason to leave the picturesque suburb.

“It was bad, but from our street where we used to live, we knew it was a strong community; there were friendly, good people and they all said ‘we’re coming back, we’re coming back’,” he said.

“I accept the rains and everything else, it’s a one-off event the same as a cyclone and even if it happens again in 10 years, everyone will have forgotten about it by then, a lot of people have forgotten now.

“The suburb has come back to exactly where it was before, and if not, better.”

The property market is also reflecting that confidence, with real estate agents saying the suburb’s popularity has this year returned to what it was before the monsoonal event.

Explore Property Townsville agent Annette Rowlings said the 2019 floods hadn’t put buyers off.

She has recently sold – to Townsville locals – four properties over $500,000 and one over $600,000 after attracting multiple offers.

“People understand it was a once-in-a-lifetime event,” she said of the floods.

“They forget, just like after any cyclone; there’s devastation but you clean it up and you move on with your life,” Ms Rowlings said.

“(The area has) always been popular due to its location being close to the city … The Strand is only seven or eight minutes away.”

The post High end suburb ditching look of devastation appeared first on realestate.com.au.

120 McPhersons Road, Adventure Bay. Picture: SUPPLIED

THIS large, unique property, home to a historic cottage, includes an established olive grove with olive pressing machinery shed and equipment — it is unlike any other allotment available in Adventure Bay.

No.120 McPhersons Road is hidden away on more than 10ha of land, however, it is close to the hub of the suburb and steeped in local history.

The home was built by some of the first timber-felling settlers of Bruny Island.

Set at the end of a no-through road, access is via a scenic driveway passing through rainforest.

With no other dwellings in sight it’s easy to be immersed in the nature that abounds.

The four-bedroom farmhouse is warmed via a wood heater positioned to radiate through the home.

Tranquil privacy.

By the warmth of the fire.

Work from home.

Features of the home’s era include original hardwood floors and 10-foot ceilings, while modern additions include a newly installed 1kW system of solar panels and solar hot water.

A spacious farm-style kitchen is highlighted by a combustion stove.

The combined bathroom/laundry area has lots of light via a full-height glass brick panel and windows.

An enclosed 12m-long sunroom serves as an ideal sun-drenched entertaining area, opening to a paved courtyard with a pizza oven.

The large, covered L-shaped veranda at the front of the house will be the perfect place to enjoy the view and serenity.

Bordered by other large acreages, the property has a 12m-long carport accommodating two vehicles, a 6m garage/workshop and a second 6m olive oil press room.

There is a sauna room and pump house as well as an enclosed vegetable garden/chicken run and chicken coop.

More than your average property listing.

A bottle of the good stuff.

The olive grove of about 950 trees produces an annual crop of temperate climate extra virgin olive oil.

Pressing machinery is included and the grove is fully irrigated by a dam and drip line system with a good boundary fence.

There are two dams, the largest of which can be admired from the cottage windows.

Both are spring fed via a creek that runs through the property.

Sea views can be enjoyed from the most elevated corners of the property.

There are two rainwater tanks with a large catchment area — on average 800 to 1000mm of rainwater has been recorded annually — so this location offers an ideal climate in which to live and farm.

Adventure Bay’s No.120 McPhersons Road is priced at “Offers over $625,000”, it is listed with First National Real Estate Kingston.

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