Regional markets experience uplift in demand

New South Wales dominated the list, with eight of its council areas within the top 10.

Narrandera topped the list with a 90.3 per cent change in values and a 53.9 per cent increase in number of sales.

Kyogle’s values grew 79.1 per cent with a 65.3 per cent increase in number of sales.

Wentworth saw its values grow 57.4 per cent, while its number of sales was up 9.4 per cent.

Lithgow experienced an increase in values of 45.2 per cent, with a 21.3 per cent rise in number of sales.

Snowy River’s sales values grew 43.2 per cent and its number of sales increased by 35.4 per cent.

Upper Lachlan Shire saw an increase in values of 41.3 per cent, with a 36.9 per cent increase in sales numbers.

Dungog experienced a 39.9 per cent growth in values, and a 28.1 per cent increase in sales numbers.

Bellingen took the number 10 position, experiencing a 39.5 per cent change in values and a 30.0 per cent rise in the number of sales.

Away from NSW, South Australia’s Grant placed third in the list, with its values up 61.4 per cent and number of sales up 35.0 per cent, while Break O’Day placed fifth for a 52.0 per cent increase in sales values and a 54.0 per cent increase sales numbers.

CoreLogic research analyst Cameron Kusher said the difference in sales volumes and the value of sales between capital city and regional markets highlights that regional markets are starting to show an improving trend.

“Over the year, there were 301,776 capital city dwelling sales worth $213.3 billion,” he said.

“The number of sales was 9.9 per cent lower than a year ago and the value of sales was 0.3 per cent lower over the year.

“In terms of the combined regional markets, there were 166,217 sales which was 0.3 per cent lower over the year while the value of these sales rose by 3.3 per cent to $67.9 billion.”

According to the report, only four of the top 50 areas are located in capital cities, with the remaining 46 in regional areas of the country, including many larger regional areas.

“In 43 of the 50 regions listed the percentage increase in the total value of sales has been greater than the lift in sales volumes,” the report said.

“This tends to reflect an increase in values along with an uplift in demand.

“In fact, only three of the 50 regions listed have recorded fewer sales over the past 12 months.”

The report suggests that regional markets in NSW are recording the highest levels of demand and value growth of all regional markets across the states and territories.

“With mortgage rates low, certain capital city housing markets becoming unaffordable and an improvement in confidence surrounding regional housing, we would expect many of these council areas to see further increases in the total value of sales over the coming year,” Mr Kusher said.

[Related: Rent prices improve as market remains tight]