Over recent years, regional Australia has experienced a surge in popularity, with more property buyers seeking affordable, lifestyle destinations. Bridgetown in Western Australia has seen a remarkable rise in property prices and popularity over recent years, positioning itself as one of the states most sought-after regional locations. Located less than three hours from Perth and near popular locations such as Margaret River, Busselton and Bunbury, Bridgetown has become an attractive location for those seeking a slower pace of life, without sacrificing convenience and access to key amenities.
We spoke with local real estate expert, Alison Rutten, Sales Specialist at eXp Realty, to uncover key factors driving growth in Bridgetown and regional Western Australia, and what advice she would give to other agents operating in this environment.
Like many regional markets, Bridgetown saw a surge in demand following the pandemic. When people could only travel within Western Australia, they started to explore inland as opposed to only heading to the coast. Bridgetown has very much maintained its presence as a country town, yet it’s conveniently located just an hour from Busselton and within easy reach of popular areas that people love, like Margaret River.
Adding to the surge in property sales is the expansion of the Talison Lithium Mine. This has created new well-paying job openings and economic opportunities, attracting more professionals to live here. Bridgetown is now also ranked as one of the top three places to retire in Western Australia, making it a hotspot for both retirees in addition to professionals.
The rise in remote work has been a significant driver in regional market growth. This has had a positive impact in Western Australia as professionals now have more flexibility. Bridgetown’s proximity to Busselton Airport, which supports FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) workers, adds another layer of flexibility. Many people can enjoy the benefits of regional living while still being connected to jobs in other parts of the state.
The main demographic shifts we’ve seen in Bridgetown and regional areas of Western Australia has been retirees but also professionals due to new opportunities. We’ve also seen an increase in investment opportunities used for holiday homes and people buying to rent on Airbnb. With more people having the chance to visit Bridgetown over recent years, buyers have seen short-term rental opportunities with the town becoming a popular getaway destination and desirable place to visit.
Prices have definitely increased over the last few years and the surge in the market in Perth has had a flow on effect to places like Bridgetown. In some cases, people are moving outside of busier locations like Perth in search of more affordable lifestyle locations to live.
The increase in Bridgetown’s popularity has created more competition in the market. Being a small town, there are limited properties available and the influx of people relocating has driven prices up. There’s a big sense of competition with people having to compete in ways they haven’t before.
With marketing, I recommend trying to have as much advertising material as possible to avoid people travelling, especially with many people coming from a distance now. I utilise virtual walk throughs and 3D images, social media and posting reels as an alternative way of showcasing properties. Flexibility is highly important when operating in real estate in general, but especially in the environment where potential buyers are required to travel.
The current market is unlike anything we’ve seen before, which makes it difficult to predict exactly where things are heading. If Perth continues to experience strong demand and rising property prices, that momentum is likely to continue flowing into regional areas and impact our market. With job growth on the rise here, particularly in the mining industry, it will help the regional markets stay afloat.
In a time where the market has been like anything I’ve experienced before, my best advice to other agents is to have strong communication, be consistent and adaptable with your marketing, and professional in your conduct. With more out of town buyers, flexibility and communication has been highly important for me to build trust and for people relying on virtual tours. A proactive and adaptable approach will help agents turn increased demand into long-term success.
Alison is a dedicated and highly regarded sales consultant specialising in residential, rural, and lifestyle properties across Western Australia’s South West Region. Known for her extensive local knowledge, strong work ethic, and commitment to achieving the best outcomes for her clients, Alison has established herself as one of Bridgetown’s leading agents. She has been recognised with several awards and achievements, most recently earning the 2023 Rate My Agent ‘Agent of the Year’ award for Bridgetown and in 2022 receiving the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) Achievement Award.
