GULLIVER has scraped in as one of only two non-metropolitan suburbs to feature in a list of national property hotspots. 

The National Hotspot report, compiled by RP Data on behalf of St George Bank, highlighted 24 up-and-coming suburbs that buyers and investors should target. 

The report based its findings on a number factors, such as proximity to employment centres and public transport/roads, renovation potential and housing stocks.  

It said Gulliver, with a median house price of $294,500, represented value for money after prices dipped 9.4 per cent over the past year. 

Townsville real estate agents said strong sales activity at the affordable end of the market contributed to the lower median house price. Gulliver had 54 house sales over the reported period. 

ReMax Excellence agents Lyn Griffiths and Rohan Banning said buyers were targeting fringe and central suburbs within 15km of the city where supply was always going to be tight. 

Ms Griffiths said while many fringe city suburbs had attracted huge attention, a number of others had flown below the radar of investors. 

“Gulliver is a prime example of a suburb that is close to the city, central to many amenities and offers an affordable entry into the property market,” Ms Griffiths said. 

“It is a suburb on the rise, where people have been restoring older homes yet there are ample opportunities to buy Queenslanders and cottages in their original condition. 

“As Townsville grows further north and traffic congestion becomes an issue, we can expect areas such as Gulliver will attract a lot more attention. 

“Townsville’s central suburbs are prime targets for investors since entry prices are lower and both houses and units will always remain in demand from renters.” 

The RP Data report found Australia’s median house price had risen slightly to $471,818 after dipping between February and December last year. 

The outlook is also positive for Townsville, with a Herron Todd White report showing sales volumes had rebounded from last year’s lows to reach around 320 a month. 

Mr Banning said other fringe city suburbs such as Oonoonba, Garbutt, Aitkenvale, Currajong and Heatley had not attracted the same level of attention as nearby ‘blue chip’ suburbs. 

“Over the next year, as property prices stabilise and start to recover, investors in particular will be shopping in the value-for-money suburbs,” Mr Banning said. 

“These areas haven’t seen the level of growth or revitalisation compared to the blue chip suburbs nearby. 

“But with work powering ahead on upgrades to major infrastructure such as suburban shopping centres and schools, the outlook appears positive for fringe city and central suburbs.”