There are still tree-change options for less than half a mil

The number of tree-changers moving from cities to regional towns shows no signs of slowing down, as people look for more space and a bigger backyard.

A coronavirus-related exodus of those living in the city has seen house prices in some regional areas soar by more than 30 per cent over the year to September, Domain’s latest house price report shows.

And while some tree-changers may fear they’ve missed the boat, there are still suburbs where savvy buyers can get a bargain, though they might have to hurry. More affordable homes – at least those priced under $500,000 – are being snapped up within a few days, agents say.

SOLD - $465,000

57 Havannah Street, Bathurst NSW 2795

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Buyers in NSW, particularly first-home buyers, have been looking to tree-change areas like Bathurst, almost three hours drive from the Sydney CBD.

Home to the famous Supercars race, the city has a house price median of $495,000, with a house at 57 Havannah Street listed for between $450,000 and $475,000. 

The home is in one of the oldest streets in Bathurst and is just minutes from the centre of town.

First National Real Estate Bathurst associate agent Casey Rollinson said the home’s owners, who were investors, were looking to consolidate their property ownership.

“There’s been a huge number of people moving here since COVID – lots of investors and first-home buyers because the area is a lot more affordable than Sydney,” Ms Rollinson said.

In Victoria, there has been a big push for a sea change but tree-changers are not far behind, with demographer and Ethos Urban director Chris McNeill saying buyers are still keen to move to the regions.

“Without question, more expensive house prices are still pushing people to the regions,” Mr McNeill said. “People can simply get more bang for their buck.”

Three hours from the Melbourne CBD in Warrnambool the median house price is $454,656, Domain data shows.

SOLD - $400,000

2 Honeyeater Court, Warrnambool VIC 3280

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Warrnambool has the best of both worlds for tree and sea-changers, with the ocean close by and lots of natural, open space and farmland. A two-bedroom home at 2 Honeyeater Court is currently on the market for $400,000.

Meanwhile, in Queensland, cheaper priced houses are selling within a week in tree-change areas.

Warwick, in the Southern Downs region of Queensland about an hour-and-a-half southwest of Brisbane, has a very affordable house price median of $270,000.

For just above that price – $275,000 – buyers can pick up a two-bedroom home with a shed and a large backyard at 109 Cleary Street.

Helen Harm Real Estate’s Helen Harm said she was expecting the home to sell quickly, as she was taking daily phone calls from buyers interstate wanting to move to Queensland.

SOLD - $265,000

109 Cleary Street, Warwick QLD 4370

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“Things we’ve had on the market – it used to take six months to sell – but now if it lasts a week it’s pretty rare,” Ms Harm said.

It’s a similar story in Nairne, in the Adelaide Hills, where a property at 121 North Road, listed for $420,000 to $450,000 is expected to sell quickly. The median house price in the area is $451,000.

Sexton Glover Watts sales manager Nathan Watts said the appeal to buyers was not just the price but the community on offer in the Adelaide Hills.

“During COVID people wanted to know how they could give back to their community and reconnect and it’s easy to do that in the Adelaide Hills,” Mr Watts said.

SOLD - $520,000

10 Fantail Place, Margaret River WA 6285

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In the sought-after Western Australian suburb of Margaret River, the median house price is on the knocker of $500,000. However, some houses are listed for less than that price, including a three-bedroom home at 10 Fantail Place, which is asking for offers over $450,000.

Stocker Preston Margaret River’s Clare Andrews said she was receiving daily emails from people in the eastern states, including Victoria and NSW, to buy property in the region.

“People are just trying to get what they can and, when we sell, there’s only one buyer and plenty of others left over,” Ms Andrews said.