Ballarat: The perfect blend of urban convenience and small-town charm for first home buyers
Ballaratis booming.
There’s no denying that time is of the essence if you’re considering building in this beautiful Regional Victorian town.
‘There are plenty of reasons why Ballarat is quickly rising to the top of first homeowners’ build lists. Not only is it an accessible location to Melbourne for hybrid workers but the historical city has a proactive council and progressive amenities,’ explains our local building expert and Homebuyers Centre New Homes Consultant, Rick Armitage.
‘On top of that, there’s a great sense of community throughout the district that encourages long term residency, the best private and public education options in Victoria (recognised by multiple awards for various schools) and it serves as a central location to explore the Grampians, Geelong, and the Goldfields.’
To help you get started – in the right area and with the right home design – our team has put together your go-to cheat sheet for building in Ballarat.
The Ballarat estates that matter
You can’t go past some of Ballarat’s largest master planned communities such as Winterfield Estate and Lucas Display Village, both located right at the epicentre of growth.
‘There are currently numerous master planned developments with new amenities under construction within 10 mins of Ballarat CBD. Once these developments finish, the land will push further into the outer districts,’ says Rick.
What does this mean for you? ‘In a nutshell, it’s imperative to act sooner rather than later,’ urges Rick.
Winterfield Estate
Winterfield is a unique estate within the suburb of Winter Valley, Winterfield will weave through and encourage the existing natural environment to establish a verdant green community for generations to come.
Lucas Display Village
Lucas is Ballarat’s largest masterplanned community located at the gateway to the city’s growth zone. With five superbly designed neighbourhood precincts, a comprehensive town centre, education and parkland precincts, everything really is on your doorstep.
Trending floorplans
Searching for the perfect family home? Look no further than the Lawson 25. ‘The ultimate in functionality, enjoy no wasted space and the perfect balance of open living and private areas with the Lawson 25,’ says Rick.
Alternatively, the Edison 19 can grow with your needs. ‘This is a popular design option if you’re looking to convert the theatre into a multi-use space to allow for the potential of a fourth bedroom in the future,’ advises Rick.
And finally, for our downsizers, shift workers or those looking to share the home with a roommate, the Hunter 17 with its rear master provides excellent privacy. Are you sitting on a smaller block of land with an amazing view? A double storey floorplan such as the Empire 25 is extremely popular, says Rick.
Facades that give you an edge
Because of its regional location, it’s no surprise that Hamptons inspired facades are trending in Ballarat. That said, the Ballarat market is quickly developing an appetite for contemporary home styles.
‘The clean and beautiful elements of our standard inclusion Elmer façade bring in an abundance of natural light while the architectural Shoreline provides a more traditional look that fits with the historical notes of the township,’ explains Rick.
There are also plenty of double-storey façade options. ‘To start, take a look at Newport to keep the historical vibes going or Urban for sophisticated and contemporary elegance.’
Make a long-term investment
But it’s not just about the home itself. Ballarat has incredible mid-term infrastructure on the horizon – from the $541 million hospital upgrade, the $200 million towards upgrade works on the MARS stadium, and a significant train station improvement to better connect the region internally and externally.
‘We also have a very responsive council looking to promote and assist small business owners and help drive year-round tourism to the township and surrounds.’
All these factors combine to create continual and sustainable capital growth and increased rental yields. ‘You just need to look at the last few market cycles to see that Regional Victoria has incredible resilience for investors,’ highlights Rick.
A wider benefit to building new in general is the awareness around sustainability and the move towards higher energy rated homes. Not only will it provide a comfortable and healthy environment that can reduce your day-to-day living costs, but you’ll most likely achieve a higher resale value on your new home.
What to expect when living in Ballarat
The beauty of Ballarat is that it has all the city attractions without the traffic or hefty price tags. Everything is 15 minutes from your door, including pubs, bars, restaurants, shops, schools, gyms, cafes – the list goes on. And it’s all just an hour’s train ride from the Melbourne CBD.
‘Ballarat has excellent art and lifestyle culture, nationally recognised restaurants, cafes and cocktail bars, amazing lakes, gardens, and parklands, sporting events, some of the best public and private schools in the state, and incredible private and public hospitals alongside a huge health care sector,’ lists Rick.
Other Regional Guides
Unlock the Door to Your First Home in Geelong
Why you Should Build Your Dream Home in the Thriving Gippsland Region
From affordability to lifestyle: Why Bendigo should be on every first home buyer's radar
Building misconceptions to avoid
While Ballarat is a booming region, there are a few common mistakes to avoid when building in the area.
Three of the main ones include:
1. A fixation on established homes
A great lifestyle and amenities are available for an affordable price in key growth corridors. It’s also important to consider that many established homes in Ballarat are quite old due to the heritage and history of the township which can lead to expensive and timly repair works.
2. Gravitating towards a larger block despite your specific needs
Traditionally smaller blocks can be offset by increasing amenities in master planned communities that provide communal spaces, parks, and community centres.
3. Drastically inexpensive blocks
There’s something to be said about the line ‘if it’s too good to be true…it usually is.’ Lots that appear well below the average price for the estate tend to be that way for a reason. Normally, this is due to unfavourable site conditions that may lead to increased build costs down the track.
Final words of wisdom
‘Ballarat’s the perfect central hub to let you embrace a variety of memorable experiences. Be it exploring the goldfields, visiting the Grampians, or a quick trip to premiere spa establishments. Living in Ballarat allows you to experience so much at your fingertips that nowhere else can come close to achieving.’
Are you ready to make the move to Ballarat or looking to invest in the Ballarat property market?
Now is the time! Take a look at our home and land packages or visit our local expert Rick Armitage at the Lawson 25 display home situated in Lucas Display Village.