Suburbs where first home buyers are winning at auction

First home buyers took 42 percent of auctions in Flora Hill and Strathdale last month, outbidding investors on three-bedroom houses priced between $420,000 and $480,000.

State-wide auction clearance rates fell to 58 percent in the June quarter, the weakest result since 2020, yet Bendigo recorded steady demand from remote workers and Melbourne commuters priced out of the capital. The Victorian median house price sits at $490,000, leaving room in regional pockets where grants still stretch further.

Flora Hill and Strathdale stand out

Flora Hill properties near Bendigo Hospital on Edwards Road cleared at or below reserve in four of six auctions tracked by local agents in the past eight weeks. Strathdale listings along the Calder Highway corridor attracted similar results, with two weatherboard homes sold to couples using the Victorian First Home Owner Grant plus the federal Home Guarantee Scheme. Both neighbourhoods sit within 10 minutes of the Bendigo Art Gallery and the railway station, cutting commute times for workers who travel to Melbourne two days a week.

CoreLogic data released 9 July shows Bendigo auction volumes rose 11 percent year-on-year while clearance rates held above the Melbourne average. Average days on market in Flora Hill dropped to 19, the shortest figure recorded since March 2025. Strathdale recorded a median sale price of $465,000 for the June quarter, $25,000 below the regional city median.

Next steps for buyers

Applicants should contact the Bendigo office of the State Revenue Office before 31 August to lock in the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant, which requires contracts exchanged by that date. Local conveyancers on View Street report increased calls from buyers pre-approved under the Home Guarantee Scheme, which allows deposits as low as 5 percent. Checking Domain and realestate.com.au listings daily remains the practical first move for anyone targeting the next Flora Hill or Strathdale auction round scheduled for late July.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.