'Bigger bang for buck': Canberra's cross-border towns continue to attract buyers

Cross-border towns within easy commuting distance of Canberra are continuing to experience impressive price growth as city dwellers swap life in the suburbs for country comforts.

Kelly Allen of Luton Properties Braidwood says demand is one of the drivers of the price increases.

“We’ve been run off our feet since the fires abated,” she says.

“Most of the buyers are coming from Sydney and Canberra, but the former is outbuying Canberrans by about two to one.”

Allen says buyers are drawn to the town’s affordable prices, heritage and character homes, a sense of community – and a location that’s close to Canberra and the coast.

Braidwood’s median price has risen to $405,000, but Allen says that figure is likely skewed by block sales with most family homes in the $500,000 to $600,000 price range.

Graham Bush of Independent Inner North & City works in Canberra but lives in Murrumbateman, which also accounts for a significant share of his workload.

“The town is attracting new buyers, particularly from the Sydney and Melbourne markets,” he says.

“While there is still some resistance from Canberrans to the thought of a 30-minute commute, those from the bigger cities don’t see that as significant.”

Bush says family homes on blocks from 800 to 1200 square metres are largely selling in the range of $650,000 to $840,000.

“There’s still a much bigger bang for buck in Murrumbateman than in, say, the Gungahlin region and it’s not much further out,” he says.

So, what are some of the cross-border towns surrounding Canberra?

• Braidwood. What’s not to like about this heritage gem? Buyers are drawn to its sense of history, character, value and the opportunity to integrate into a country community. Family homes from around $500,000.
• Murrumbateman. This near neighbour enjoys a growing reputation through its wineries and boutique agricultural produce. Future road expansion is likely to bring the buying potential of this cross-border town into sharp focus.
• Gundaroo. Domain figures indicate the average price of a property in Gundaroo is $617,000. Land is a big contributor to that figure with big homes on established properties selling well above $1 million.

Allhomes’ top picks of homes for sale in the surrounding region:

Braidwood

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A taste of France might be off the travel agenda at the moment, but its delightful accent can be experienced in nearby Braidwood.

This magnificent French Provincial-inspired country home is set on 2.57 hectares of manicured gardens highlighted by a quaint bridge over a seasonal creek.

In fact, the estate has starred in the Braidwood Open Gardens event and has been included in the Australian National Trust Open House scheme.

It was built in 2006 as a high-end BnB, but would equally suit a family looking for room to breathe within easy commuting to Canberra.

The home features an elegant central lounge room and a formal dining room with open fire. The gourmet kitchen boasts a 900-millimetre Falcon oven and north-facing breakfast room which opens to a walled courtyard entertainment area with water feature.

There are three king-size bedrooms, each with an en suite. The downstairs main bedroom features a deep bath overlooking the gardens. And comfort is assured through double-glazed windows.

Other features include a double garage and single barn-style lock-up garage. Systems include a 10kw solar system, underfloor heating and reverse cycle air conditioning. There’s excellent mobile reception, a landline and internet.

Irrigation will be a breeze with a licensed bore and a 100,000-litre inground cement tank. The property is accessed by sealed road and a school bus stop is at the front gate.

Price guide: $1.2 million

Auction: 3pm, April 18

Agent: Luton Properties Braidwood, Kelly Allen 0466 632 696

Or try these:

Murrumbateman

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Price guide: $899,000-$988,000

Private sale

Agent: Harcourts Belconnen, Kostya Logvinov, 0421 485 758

Gundaroo

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Price Guide: $1.19 million +

Private Sale

Agent: Premier Capital Properties, Fred Farzan, 0409 920 000

Braidwood

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Price guide: $695,000

Private sale

Agent: Luton Properties Braidwood, Kelly Allen 0466 632 696