Fishing on the beach at St Helens, Tasmania. Picture: SUPPLIED
PROPERTY hunters have got their eyes on Tasmania’s regional areas, with interest rising substantially over the past year.
With demand an indicator for price growth, this could be good news for homeowners in the north of the state — particularly the North East — who are considering selling.
New realestate.com.au data analysed the growth in views per listing in August, compared with the COVID-19 lows of March for sale listings and April’s rental listings.
The significant jump in popularity of regional areas is a nationwide trend and in Tasmania, the North East topped the charts with a 76.2 per cent lift in views per listing.
The North East also recorded the state’s largest change for rental views on the site, with a 117.1 per cent surge.
This data region covers a large area including Dilston-Lilydale, Georgetown, Longford, the Northern Midlands, Perth-Evandale, St Helens and Scottsdale-Bridport.
Property market analyst Tony Collidge said affordability, a relaxed lifestyle and climate would be among the driving factors drawing interest to these towns.
Tony Collidge.
“Remember, prices in the North and North West are well below Hobart prices and in some cases less than half,” he said,
“They are also more communal yet within a 30-minute to one-hour drive of major population centres and services.”
Following the North East, the Central Highlands (69 per cent), Devonport (62.6 per cent), Meander Valley-West Tamar (59.4 per cent) and Brighton (46.7 per cent) each recorded huge growth in views per sale listing.
REA Group director of economic research, Cameron Kusher, said regional markets had experienced some of the largest increases in views per listing, which indicates that since lockdowns commenced, people have had a “greater interest in regional areas”.
“Whether this increase in interest in regional properties translates into a mass exodus from metro areas remains to be seen,” he said.
“It does show a change in consumer behaviour, which is likely the result of Australians wanting more space, cheaper property and working from home.”
In Tasmania’s rental sector, four regions recorded growth above 102 per cent: Burnie-Ulverstone (102.7 per cent), Hobart South and West (110.2 per cent), Hobart North East (112.8 per cent) and the North East (117.1 per cent).
Mr Collidge said he would expect areas surrounding Hobart had higher levels of inquiry because almost half the population live here.
“This is where most of the employment opportunities are, and this is where most services are available,” he said.
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