AUSTRALIA LOVES OUR BELMONT

HOTTEST PROPERTY: Eight of top 10 most-viewed streets are in Geelong riverside burb

BELMONT has been crowned the most popular location in regional Australia for real estate buyers.

The riverside suburb is home to eight of the 10 most-viewed streets outside the nation’s capital cities, according to new data from realestate.com.au.

BELMONT has been crowned the most popular location in regional Australia for real estate buyers.

The riverside suburb is home to eight of the 10 most viewed streets outside the nation’s capital cities, according to new data from realestate.com.au.

Prestigious Riverview Tce tops the list, edging out Cranmere Ave and Allitt Ave in second and third place.

REA chief economist Nerida Conisbee said Belmont’s national dominance was surprising but it fitted with the pattern of Geelong’s inner city suburbs ranking highly in terms of views per listing.

She said the suburb’s access to the Melbourne train line, relatively affordable prices and mix of housing stock all boosted its popularity.

“Buyer demand in Geelong has always been really, really high but to have eight of the streets in Belmont is quite incredible,” Ms Conisbee said.

She said the most popular suburbs could attract up to 8000 views per listing and increasing numbers were often a precursor to price growth.

Hayeswinckle, Highton agent Michelle Winckle said properties in the Belmont High School zone and reserves were coveted and this was reflected in the list.

“They are close to walking trails and close to shops and walking distance to schools,” Ms Winckle said.

“Belmont has got character homes, it has got large blocks and it’s only five minutes to the city.

“As Geelong grows, more homes are being established on the outskirts, from Armstrong Creek to Leopold and Lara, and Belmont is still an inner city location.”

Buxton agent David Gray, who sold 51 Riverview Tce for $1.2 million in May, said buyers loved the street’s leafy setting, river access and period houses with dual street frontages.

There’s also a footbridge at the end of the street providing direct access to Newtown.

Mr Gray said the street was part of Belmont’s Golden Triangle, which was bordered by Mt Pleasant Rd and High St.

“Buyers are coming from Highton and there are people coming from acreage,” he said.

“A lot of people are crossing the river from Newtown and Manifold Heights realising they can get a pretty impressive property for a more affordable price.”–