WARRNAMBOOL real estate agents say interest from metropolitan Melbourne buyers has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Strict lockdown restrictions in the metro area and affordable house prices are driving the rise.
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed 5900 people from Melbourne moved to regional Victoria during the June quarter, compared with 3000 in the previous quarter.
Ludeman Real Estate director Mark Dwyer said there was no doubt there had been more interest from Melbourne buyers during the pandemic.
"I think that's common across the board," he said.
"It can only help the local market.
"The market is very good anyway, there is a shortage of listings.
"It's hard to see that changing anytime in the short term.
"Of course you've got to have jobs if there's more people moving.
"We'd obviously like to see more industry coming."
Brian O'Halloran and Co director Brian Hancock said he expected the influx of people from metro areas to continue.
"Any new buyer is welcome to the market," he said.
"It helps stimulate the economy, it leads to more construction of housing.
"Warrnambool is in positive territory at the moment."
Stockdale and Leggo director Matt Northeast said there was more interest in the Warrnambool market from people in Melbourne than what they would have had prior to COVID-19.
"However, the majority of buyers are still the local buyers," he said.
"If we sell 14 properties a month probably 10 of them are local and four are from out of town.
"People are moving from everywhere.
"The interest that we've had from Melbourne has been a mixed bag, there is a mix of people that were already planning to move here because of work next year, then there is the mix of people that have said 'well I'm retired I don't need to be in Melbourne, let's get out' and then there are the mix who've said 'well I can work from anywhere so let's get out of Melbourne'.
"And they're choosing Warrnambool because there has been a lot of fantastic press about Warrnambool being the most liveable regional city and we cater for everyone's needs."
