Unlock the Door to Your First Home in Geelong
Building in One of Australia’s Most Vibrant Regional Hubs
Just an hour’s train ride southwest of Melbourne and near the stunning coast, Geelong is becoming one of Victoria’s most in-demand areas, with Melbourne families, young couples, and downsizers all flocking to the city for its affordability and serene country lifestyle.
‘Our newfound balance of working from home has really opened options for people moving to Geelong from Melbourne. Now their lifestyle can incorporate the beaches of the Surf Coast and Bellarine while still being within an hour to Melbourne,’ says Homebuyers Centre New Homes Consultant, Nick Elsden.
Meet your local Geelong team
‘Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen a surge in Melbournians keen to leave the city behind for a much more relaxed country life by the sea,’ elaborates Homebuyers Centre New Homes Consultant, Blake Pilkington.
‘Geelong provides easy access to Torquay, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, and the Great Ocean Road which is quite appealing for families, first homebuyers, and downsizers. There’s nothing quite like packing up the car on a Saturday morning and heading down to soak up those coastal vibes.’
But you need to act fast.
‘It’s important to keep in mind that land on the market is available to all interested buyers and may not be available for long. The good news is there are frequent releases, so there’s always an option around the corner, you just need to get in quickly,’ advises Blake.
Nick agrees, ‘The last few years in Geelong has seen a high demand in land sales. While this has since slowed down and the ability to select a good block is better than normal, these are always the first to go.’
To help you out, we’ve put together a guide to building in Geelong.
The Geelong locations that matter
The Geelong region offers a wide range of estates within proximity to each other, meaning you’re spoilt for choice.
‘The Armstrong area is extremely popular, with fantastic infrastructure and a mix of amenities such as schools, shops, and open spaces,’ says Blake.
Working with some of the best developers in the area, we recommend taking a closer look at some of the sought-after estates:
The Reserve Estate
Warralily Estate
Banksia Estate
Mount Duneed Estate
Trending floorplans
When it comes to house design, the versatile Harvey 23 is a popular option for its functional and practical single-storey floorplan that fits a variety of orientations and block sizes. ‘The 4-bedroom and 2 living room design allows for a large kitchen space with the free island bench becoming a focal point,’ says Blake.
But if you have a smaller block, you may want to check out the Jasper 17 home design. ‘The 3-bedroom and double garage floorplan can fit on a 263 square metre block. Plus, the 3 large windows into the kitchen/dining/living area create plenty of natural light with the right orientation.’
If you’re looking for a double-storey option, we can help you with that too. You can’t look past our Empire 25 or Oxford 26 floorplans.
‘Both these floorplans work on most 12.5 x 21m (263m2) lots. They each include 4 bedrooms with 3 living areas, 2.5 bathrooms and a 2-car garage, really maximising the home size for smaller blocks as well as having plenty of options for larger lots,’ says Nick.
‘Building a double story house on a smaller block of land means you can have a larger backyard space which can be quite important for families. It also helps to prioritise the budget as you’ll generally pay less for a smaller block of land – perfect to put towards the home build,’ adds Blake.
Facades that give you an edge
When it comes to facades, coastal exteriors are trending in Geelong. You might consider the coastal and Hamptons inspired Prescott, Sorrento, and Shoreline.
Or, if you’re building a double-storey home, you might want to check out our Urban or Cosmo facades. Both options provide a modern look and allow plenty of natural light into the home.
What to expect from the Geelong lifestyle
Living in Geelong is the best of both worlds. You have all the amenities and facilities of Melbourne, without the heavy peak hour traffic and stress. You can get everywhere within ten minutes of the suburbs, including expansive swimming beaches, hiking trails, and dog parks.
Not only is housing more affordable in Geelong than in Melbourne – meaning you can get a bigger block and a larger house, for less – but the laid back atmosphere is a huge drawcard.
‘The Surf Coast, You Yangs Regional Park, and The Otways are all just a half hour drive away from the city centre, and there are footy, netball and cricket grounds around every corner,’ says Blake
‘Ferries also enable people to travel either into Docklands or to Sorrento, and of course, nearby Torquay is the starting point for the Great Ocean Road. Plus, the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games will fast track even more development in the area,’ adds Nick.
Other Regional Guides
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
Ballarat: The perfect blend of urban convenience and small-town charm
Build mindsets to avoid
Everything in Geelong is close, but the location and choice of developer still matter. ‘Residents should avoid purchasing with small developers without doing their research on the area they’re purchasing in,’ advises Blake.
‘It’s important to find a block that suits your needs. This may mean finding a lot that is orientated correctly in the estate of your choice or near key amenities.’
Nick echos Blake’s advice, ‘land selection is key as not all land is created equal. Picking out a block with too much slope or fill to level the land can result in high costs to build the home. We specialise in helping to select the best blocks to build on, as well as making sure the design works well on the orientation of your land.’
‘A key thing to avoid is jumping on the display village circuit without a clear idea of how much you’re willing to spend,’ advises Blake.
Start with a base budget and then consult a builder who can source the land for you.
‘It’s always a good idea to look at the land and home together to make sure it works within your budget before committing to the land,’ says Nick.
Another hot tip? ‘Signing a land contract without speaking to a builder first can mean you purchase land that’s unsuitable for construction which can create a heap of headaches down the track.’
‘Ultimately, it creates a more streamlined service that will help you unlock the door to your first home in Geelong,’ explains Blake.
Final words of wisdom
Blake: ‘It’s important to remember that it’s all about time in the market rather than timing the market. If it’s the right time for you, then it’s the right time to make that home ownership journey.’
Nick: ‘I’ve been with Homebuyers Centre for 7 years and have built 3 times, so I have an in-depth knowledge of the whole process from start to finish. I’ve helped my customers with over 300 builds and have been able to help people from all walks of life and situations. Homebuyers Centre has a great process from start to finish and it all starts with asking a few questions to see how we can help.’
Are you ready to make the move to Geelong or looking to invest in the Geelong property market?
Now is the time! Take a look at our home and land packages or contact our local team today to discuss your building goals.