Outer-north property market white hot

New housing estates in Whittlesea and Hume are among the most sought after in the state.

The latest National Land Survey Program report, for the September quarter, found the greenfield property market in Melbourne’s north to be among the most buoyant in Victoria and nationally.

Stockland’s Highlands development in Craigieburn had the second-most sales in the three months to September 30 (53) in Victoria, while Villawood’s Trillium development in Mickleham was in fourth place (49).

Among the top 10 most popular new housing developments were Cookes Rise at Mernda, which was in ninth spot (38 sales), and Cloverton at Kalkallo in 10th place (36).

The quarterly report, produced by property analysis firms Reserach4 and Charter Keck Cramer, monitors the country’s largest-in-volume new house and land markets. Researcher Colin Keane said the Craigieburn land market, which takes in all of Hume shire apart from Sunbury, witnessed a record number of land sales and was the fourth-largest land market in the nation.

“Melbourne’s land market is the nation’s most affordable, and the Craigieburn and Whittlesea markets accounted for just over 25 per cent of Melbourne’s total land sales for the September quarter,” Mr Keane said.

He said the next challenge for the state government was to ensure there was a diverse mix of housing lots.

“To help with this outcome, product diversity combined with quality amenity is required.”