Generally speaking, history would indicate that purchasing investment property in a metropolitan setting provides stronger, more consistent capital growth prospects than regional property investment. However, regional property investment can deliver other (immediate) advantages to the purchaser including affordability, good rental yields, as well as lifestyle benefits.
We took a look at several regional markets within the QantasLink network for their 2012 median property values (see above table). Currently, the most expensive of the locations we included is Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast with a residential median value of $400,000. An investment of $400,000 in Yeppoon could see you with the keys to a three to four bedroom home near the coast, whereby in Melbourne you’ll be able to afford a two to three bedroom inner city flat or a modest brick veneer home in the suburbs.
Research is the crucial key to making sound investment decisions, particularly with respect to property investment in regional and rural locations around Australia. For example, the residential median value figures to support this article were researched from reliable sources such as local Councils, Chambers of Commerce, Government agencies and real estate portals that provide free and accessible information on the internet. Additional information pertaining to regional population forecasts, demographics, government and council planning policies that may directly affect your investment decision can also be obtained using the internet or by engaging the services of local estate agents or buyers advocates in the regions you’re researching.
By Jason Hellyer