Is this the only Geelong suburb where there’s a risk of undercapitalising?
The city’s only $2m suburb has been consistently climbing in value has buyers create quality homes packed with family-friendly features.
Batesford is a tightly-held area on the western outskirts of Geelong where lifestyle properties are at the top of the heap.
New PropTrack data shows the area has a median house price of $2.08m, which has effectively doubled in the past five years.
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The low volume of sales reflects that property is very tightly held.
McGrath Geelong agent Aisha Coe, who has sold the majority of homes in the area, said Batesford homes always attracts big numbers for the first two weeks as it’s a “very aesthetically pleasing area to look at and be in.”
She usually sees three types of people – those seeking a stepping stone for move to the country; neighbours checking out their competition; and motivated buyers, usually a Geelong family looking to upsize, or a Melbourne family relocating.
“Batesford is the only suburb of Geelong that you can buy a home on acreage surrounded by wildlife and nature including kookaburras and kangaroos and established array of beautiful trees and flowers yet only 10-15 mins from amenities and schools,” Ms Coe said.
“A lot of the “wow factor” homes will naturally generate interest far and wide because people are drawn to the aesthetics.”
Buyers want quality homes, she said, meaning things like stone waterfall benchtops in kitchens, laundries and powder rooms, walk-in pantries with a second sink, double-glazed windows throughout, high ceilings and lots of natural light.
“Sheds are a must in Batesford. Having the capability for at least four cars is something that I have seen over and over again in addition to a garage,” she said.
But the jury is still out on pools. many people accept it’s something their will need to do themselves, while others don’t want them.
But buyers looking to cash in and build on the cheap could come unstuck, Ms Coe said.
“If the buyer is building their forever home and it is a good quality build I don’t think you can go wrong,” she said.
“But it does depend on the time they choose to sell and what is happening in the market of course. It needs to be well throughout and have a thoughtful floorplan.
“If buyers are buying to make profit be prepared to build a decent home that other people will want and not cut costs just to throw something up then I think it is possible to still make money in Batesford even in this market as an investment strategy if it is done right.”
Buxton, Newtown agent Garry Middleton said potential buyers have already put their own property on the market to make a play for the six-bedroom home at 31 Millpond Lane.
The 6001sq m property almost has it all, from a grand cathedral void complete with a chandelier above the dining space and three separate living areas inside, to detailed landscaping outside such as a 26m fishpond water feature, flat turf areas, a cubby house, playground, in-ground trampoline and a built-in travertine stone firepit big enough to for 20 people. There’s a Bose-integrated Sonos outdoor sound system, while Wi-Fi is used to control outdoor irrigation, lighting, front gates and a 6m by 4.5m shed.
The oversized garage even has a golf simulator.
Mr Middleton said the family spared no expense after picking up the partially completed home, but a new project was attracting their attention.
“It’s been well received – the property itself has ticked a lot of boxes for a lot of people,” he said.
“There’s a couple of interested people who have their property on the market now.”
“It’s a family home, so the people predominantly have children.
“It’s actually quite funny because the children don’t want to leave. The kids are crawling all over the cubby house and then you’ve got the other play equipment and then they’re all sitting in the fire pit just imagining it in evening with a glass of wine while the kids are playing.”
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