Connecting people and communities Melton Tuesday, 4 February, 2014
Incorporating Star Real Estate A Star News Group publication Phone: 9933 4800
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First steps for Preps THE sound of nervous giggling, constant questions and some quiet sobs were heard across the City of Melton last week as thousands of youngsters enjoyed their first day at school. For little Audrey, 5, the first day at Prep and the chance to make new friends and learn how to read is something she has been looking forward to for months. However her mother Skye had mixed emotions. “I’m excited for her because she’s excited, but I’m a little bit nervous about the long days,” the Hillside mother said. With the commencement of school, police are also urging motorists to slow down to help protect the city’s most vulnerable road users. Reduced 40km/h and 60km/h speed zones are back in force and police are warning speeding drivers to obey the reduced speed limits or face hefty penalties. Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
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Trouble at the crease
Move in for homes MELTON South and Melton remain among the most affordable metropolitan suburbs in Melbourne according to the latest figures released by the Real Institute of Victoria. The statistics showed house prices in Melton South slumped to $220,000 in the December 2013 quarter while Melton’s media house price dropped slightly to $239,950. Prices in the nearby suburbs of Kurunjang and Melton West were a little higher – $280,000 and 276,000 respectively – while Brookfield reached $298,750.
However, there were positive signs for the City of Melton with Taylors Hill, Caroline Springs and Burnside Heights continuing to climb the real estate ladder with median prices reaching close to half a million dollars. Melton Barry Plant sales executive Ned Nikolic told Star that house prices in Melton and surrounding suburbs would remain affordable while there is still land readily available to purchase. Mr Nikolic said buyers could purchase an older home for as little as $200,000, while newer homes were likely to fetch $300,000.
He said while the figures may look grim, there were definite signs of improvement in the last quarter. “It’s a great time to buy ... with the interest rates so low, paying off a mortgage is better than renting,” Mr Nikolic said. “Buyers better get in while they can ... the future is looking positive.” Mr Nikolic encouraged investors and first home buyers to come back to Melton saying future developments were all selling points for the area. Overall Melbourne’s median house
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price rose by more than 7 per cent in the final quarter of 2013, to a new high of $643,000. REIV chief executive officer Enzo Raimondo said that the increase was driven by several factors including “low interest rates, a record number of auctions, and an increase in million dollarplus sales”. “Sellers were also confident of making a sale with about 12,800 auctions held during these three months, an average of more than 1000 auctions a week.”
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