REGIONAL VICTORIA
Regional Victoria has wonderful old homes, and often, a large number of brand new homes in newer subdivisions. Often stunning old buildings reminding us of wealthier times. Of course, there were poor people then too, growing vegies, maintaining chooks, rather than flowers. A simpler time that I remember my grandparents talking about. When Melbourne outer suburbs included Hawthorn! I see old photos from Tintern’s early era in Hawthorn in 1877 and there are paddocks everywhere.
Regional towns have experienced many fluctuations, high times and low, covid saw a resurgence breathing new life into old towns. Visiting Ballarat, gosh, even Sunbury, and there are new houses as far as the eye can see.
Coming back from Mansfield last week I stopped in Yea, feeling snoozy is not a good idea so please stop if you feel the tiredness creeping in. A banana, a drink of water, and I was good to go.
Yea is a lovely place, a mix of old and new.
As we are exploring many places in our search for a new home, I have researched Yea. When a client expresses a desire to move to an area, I initiate basic research, tenure of residents, median house prices, days on market, highest and lowest prices, and growth. Land subdivisions, the impact on surrounding areas, population growth, and infrastructure are also important.
Regional Victoria, Researching Clubs, Associations & Shops
As a future resident of regional Victoria, research local clubs and associations. What hobbies do you have or would you like to take up? What is an area of interest for you? Have you always had a hankering to join a Book Club, maybe learn a new skill such as pottery or wood turning? Local Councils often have information that may help.
How far do you have to travel for basic groceries? Where is the nearest big shopping centre? If you want to buy new furniture, how far do you have to go just to view it? Do they deliver and what will it cost?
There are many aspects to living in regional Victoria, and as romantic as a home in the country sounds, practicalities cannot be denied.
If you do decide to move to regional Victoria, what are your options if you decide to sell and return to your old area? Will you be able to afford to move back? How long will it take to sell your home in regional Victoria? What can you do to the home once you move in that will improve potential re sale?
Regional Victoria, the Climate
Moving to any new area begs the question also. Will your family and friends come to visit? Apart from yourselves, what else might bring family and friends to your new area? Is it a destination town or will you be the main and only attraction?
What is the weather like year round? What about the past 5 years? Has the temperature fluctuated, has the rain continued to fall? What happens in a drought in regional Victoria? Drought impacts farmers, it impacts on consumer spending too. If you are thinking of setting up a business in a regional town, how drought proof is it? What about floods? Living in regional Victoria means the climate has greater impact than it does in Melbourne.
Regional Victoria, Finding Your Perfect Home
The Mornington Peninsula is on our list of ‘maybe we will move here’ places. I didn’t realise that much of the MP is in a bush fire zone. We don’t want that, and it is important to us.
The home that I recently saw and fell in love with, has been on the market for a long time. It’s a decent sized home on a fairly small block. It’s very pretty but is it very practical? Does it meet our criteria?
- It is walking distance to coffee ✅
- It is not walking distance to the beach, nor is the beach viewable (because the beach is a long way away)❌
- It doesn’t have any big trees around it ✅
- It is not 10 minutes to a freeway or major highway ❌
- There is space around the home, and it gets plenty of light ✅
- Is it in a bushfire area ❓
- Will family and friends visit ❓
- What else is there to do in the area ❓
- What is the climate like ❓
- Is it low maintenance ❓
- Do we know anyone in the area ❓

Regional Victoria and Reselling
Buying a home in Regional Victoria requires consideration. Days on market works both ways – when you buy and when you sell. How many of your criteria does the home meet or do you need to do further research? Buying a home anywhere requires research before you commit, before you make an offer. As you can see from my questions above, the home I fell in love with has more unanswered questions than known answers. It has a few ticks, a couple of crosses. If the unknowns turn into crosses, then unfortunately it has to go off our ‘maybe we will move here’ list.
I recently listed a home in Mansfield (now selling through Mansfield Real Estate) where the owner has created the most beautiful garden on a small block. It attracts many birds, is low maintenance, and really adds to the vibe of the whole property. I believe her garden has added value. Accompanied by the time she has lived there, she will definitely get her money plus expenses plus some $$ on top of what she paid. How could you add value to your new home in Regional Victoria?
Do you have a ‘maybe we will move here’ list? If you want to create one or have a chat about your own list, then please reach out. A free 15 minute chat to see where you are at in your real estate journey and how we can work together to achieve the outcome you want.
Book your free 15 minute call here or find out more about working together options here