Mildura investment remains stable: Herron Todd White

Investors have traditionally made up a considerable portion of buyers in the Mildura region.

They have been buying modern stand alone dwellings in the $250,000 to $350,000 price bracket, says valuation firm Herron Todd White.

In their November review they suggested the demand from local investors has been relatively stable during the past few years, while demand from out of town buyers was higher than normal during the period from around 2010 to early 2015, boosted by the activity of several promoters who were selling house and land packages, often at prices not supported by local evidence.

"Demand from out of town buyers appears to have slowed during 2015, partly affected by a strengthening in land prices and a resulting shortage of affordable land. It is also possible that this pool of buyers has reduced, due to the slowing economy in the resource states," HTW said.

"We expect local investors to remain active, despite some tightening in lending criteria and concerns that interest rates may rise."

The report added homes that are attractive to investors typically contain 3 or 4 bedrooms and are less than 20 years old, thereby providing depreciation allowances
and less maintenance issues.

"Low vacancy rates have contributed to rents for this type of property increasing by around $20 per week in the past two to three years.

"This has helped keep gross yields between 5.5% and 6%.

"Yields for small units are higher, however these traditionally have shown less capital gain."