Rural - In Focus – McGrath Mansfield

This month, we take a look at the interest in Victoria’s beautiful high country with McGrath Mansfield’s Kate McDougall.

The recent volume of buyer and media interest for a lifestyle listing in Merrijig proves the appeal of premium country living that’s accessible from the city, wasn’t simply a ‘flash in the Covid pan’.

With a clever marketing strategy that playfully positioned the homestead as something straight out of the hit TV show Yellowstone, the reception to 615 Glenroy Road shows the rural lifestyle is still in high-demand, said McGrath Mansfield Principal Kate McDougall.

“We’re also receiving a lot of enquiries from buyers who have property in the Mornington Peninsula but have been turned off by how busy it has got, down there,” said Mrs McDougall.

“For a long time, people have been fixated on a coastal lifestyle. But the lakes lifestyle that we’re spoilt with - trout fishing in the Delatite and Howqua River is very popular - along with horse riding and mountain biking, is attracting a lot of interest from buyers.:

Mansfield Rural Video | Kate McDougall

Mrs McDougall said the run of interest rates did not deter the buyers who were seeking-out premium lifestyle listings. Days on market have lengthened after the Covid-driven rush, returning to traditional long-term averages, she said.

Over the last 12 months, McGrath Mansfield secured several exceptional rural lifestyle results, including:

• 532 Midland Link Highway, Maindample – 100 acres ($4,05m, off-market);

• 285 Ford Drive, Mansfield – lakefront lifestyle property ($3.75m off-market);

• 106 Olivers Road, Mansfield – 158 acre property ($3.59m, off-market);

• 237 Rifle Butts Road, Mansfield – 100 acres ($2.85m).

The high country has been looking healthy over November, with near-average monthly rainfall passing through the region, coupled with some warmer weather.

While livestock prices remain challenged, Mrs McDougall said farmers throughout the region had good feed, hay and silage. Some farmers are knocking on doors looking to lease paddocks to hold young cattle.

In addition to Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula buyers, Mrs McDougall said there was a trend of Gippsland buyers migrating into the region.