Property investment is a long-term strategy, and the latest data reveals where it is paying off.

CoreLogic’s analysis of Australia’s property markets since March 2020 highlights that values in combined regional markets have risen by 56.3%, compared to a 33.6% increase in the combined capital cities.

Given the strong performance of regional markets, it’s no surprise that Murray Bridge, a regional town in South Australia, has emerged as the top performer in the past five years, with property values doubling during this period.

Kingaroy in Queensland follows closely, with property values rising by 96%.

The report shows that seven of the top 10 locations for five-year dwelling value growth are in Regional Queensland, including Gympie, Bundaberg, Warwick, Maryborough, Hervey Bay, and Gladstone. Western Australia also features prominently, with Geraldton and Busselton making the top ten.

For mortgage lenders and investors, this trend highlights the potential of regional markets as strong investment opportunities.

Hotspotting has long recognized regional areas in South Australia and Queensland as favorable for property investment, and the latest data reinforces this view.

All cities in the top ten have seen value increases of 84% or more, with Murray Bridge leading the way at a remarkable 101%.

For residential mortgage lenders, the continued growth of these regional markets suggests increased demand for financing, presenting opportunities for loan growth and stable returns in these emerging hotspots.