$4.5m house ‘best’

BIG YEAR: REIV chief Gil King.

A $4.15 million sale at Barwon Heads has topped regional Victoria’s property market for 2018, according to the state’s peak real estate body.

The sprawling absolute-waterfront home at 6 Carr St achieved the year’s “apex sale” outside Melbourne, said Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) chief Gil King.

“The Cape Cod-style stunner in a prime location on a 1391sqm block boasts Barwon River frontage complete with a boat ramp, moorings and jetty,” Mr King said.

The REIV noted that Barwon Heads was also Victoria’s “most-expensive regional postcode”.

“Proximity to water was the shared key component of the top five country sales this year, Mr King said.

“The second highest sale was for 48 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong, which exchanged hands for $4 million. The five-bedroom house is complimented by manicured gardens and close to many recreation, dining and shopping options.”

A home in the Ballarat suburb of Lake Wendouree achieved the third-highest sale result but local coastal properties most of the remaining top 10.

A “modern masterpiece” with a lap pool and “striking views” in Ocean Grove’s Orton St sold for $3.07 million in April, Mr King said.

A “stunning” six-bedroom home near Point Lonsdale Lighthouse had the fifth highest result with a price of $2.85 million, while a Lorne home “snapped up” for $2.6 million was seventh.

A similar result earned eighth place for a home in Rippleside’s Balmoral Crt.

The sale results in country Victoria contrasted figures for Melbourne, which has recorded falling prices in recent months.

“Regional Victoria has been the star of the Victorian property market in 2018 with a healthy increase in the median house price as well as some stand out sales,” Mr King said.