Buyers at Winterfield settle on stage one

HOUSING growth in regional Victoria is increasing, and with Ballarat fast becoming a regional hub for food, wine, arts and events, it’s no wonder that young people are looking to the city for their first home.

One of Ballarat’s newest landowners, 28-year-old Justine Eagle, has just settled on land at Winterfield.

Hockingstuart Ballarat Sales Agent, Katie Hewitt said Winterfield offers first home buyers so much.

“Winterfield offers a great opportunity for people who have grown up in the area and are looking for their ‘forever home’ in a place they know and love, at an affordable price,” she said.

Purchaser Justine Eagle said “I always knew I would end up buying my first home in Ballarat, I’ve seen the historic town transform into a dynamic precinct with lots to offer for visitors and locals.

“It’s not just the old architectural buildings, amazing variety of restaurants, wine bars and cafes to choose from that made me buy in Ballarat, it’s the affordable living, and its proximity to Melbourne, Geelong, Daylesford and the Grampians.”

Like many young Victorians looking to buy in regional Victoria, Justine took advantage of the Victorian Government First Home Owner Grant which was increased to $20,000 back in July 2017.

“I was instantly drawn to buying a block of land. It’s been a dream of mine to design and build my own kitchen and the FHOG helped me achieve this dream faster. Now I get to work with an architect to design, plan and build my dream kitchen in my dream home.”

The most important thing for Justine was to find a location that would provide her home with value growth. Winterfield offered just that – the area seeing the biggest jump (61.2 per cent) in housing demand in regional Australia between 2017-18, and currently averaging an annual growth of 5.7 per cent.

The award-winning landscape architects, Fleming’s Nurseries, will add further value to Winterfield’s streetscapes and individual front gardens. Each Winterfield home owner will get to select one of six free front garden designs curated exclusively by Wes Fleming.

“When I was looking for land to buy, I saw that Winterfield were offering to landscape your front garden for free. This was a huge incentive for me because I don’t have much of a green thumb, but I know a garden will give my new home a sense of completion when I move in,” Ms Eagle said.

The new Delacombe Town Centre opposite Winterfield offers additional amenities, including Kmart, Woolworths, specialty retailers and a six-screen cinema. Winterfield’s masterplan also outlines schools and community centre.

Aspiring home owners are invited to visit the Winterfield Sales Pavilion at 351 Greenhalghs Rd, Delacombe. Open Monday to Friday and Sunday from 11am to 1pm, and Saturdays, 11am to 4pm.