Market overview: Rockingham is a tranquil coastal enclave experiencing major growth

Rockingham may technically be a suburb of Perth, but the beach enclave feels a world away from WA’s capital – in the best sense of the word.

Located approximately 40 minutes southwest of Perth’s CBD, the coastal suburb of Rockingham has undergone dramatic changes in recent years.

Once a quiet seaside town, it is now a thriving coastal paradise with a population of over 130,000 people.

“I’ve lived in Rockingham since 1969,” Laurie Smith OAM says. “The population then was 6,000.”

Despite its rapid growth, Rockingham still feels more like an idyllic harbor than an outskirts city.

The area is located right on the water, enjoys sunny weather almost year-round, and has an incredibly close-knit community.

“The climate is great and I love living here because I’ve met a lot of great people,” says Carolyn Hubbard.

Naturally, the main attraction of the suburb is the beaches, offering a variety of activities both in the water and on land.

Residents enjoy everything from open water water sports to wildlife viewing in the surrounding marine reserves, as well as scenic walks and bike rides along the coast.

“We have won the award for Western Australia’s Best Beaches at least twice,” adds OAM’s Laurie Smith.

“My favorite place in Rockingham is Shoalwater Bay. Showater Bay is God’s gift to this region.”

It’s also very cosmopolitan, with excellent drinks and restaurants, as well as services, amenities, schools, parks and more that rival central Perth for convenience.

The foreshore is a hive of activity, with great cafes and restaurants overlooking the water, as well as community events throughout the year.

“Rockingham is a great place to live – it has a fantastic quality of life and something for everyone,” says Shani Paget, Mobile Business Manager at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.

“There’s surfing, snorkeling, safe beaches for your kids to splash around, and beautiful cafes and restaurants where you can eat delicious food.”

With the perfect balance of coastal charm and convenient amenities, Rockingham is an increasingly popular destination for property owners and investors.

The area has seen strong price growth over the past 12 months, with average house prices up 28% and apartment prices up 28.9%.

The market is also moving very quickly as eager buyers race to get their hands on properties.

“Properties are being snapped up, with an average time on market of 10 days,” Ms. Paget said.

“This development is aimed at both home buyers and investors, although attractive property prices and higher rental yields make it increasingly attractive to investors.”

Nikki De Rycke, director/licensee at JW Residential, highlights the strong demand at the moment and has noticed that every home that opens is inundated with buyers.

“Competition for land is still very high at the moment,” she says.

“We find that even on a Monday night we get 36 groups through the open house with multiple proposals submitted.”

She doesn’t expect that momentum to slow anytime soon, expecting the warmer months to make the market even hotter.

“We believe activity will pick up over the next three months as a number of properties come to market,” she says.

“Many people are preparing their properties to sell in the spring, when it typically gets busier.”

If you’re looking to own your own property, Bendigo Bank can help make that dream a reality.

With attractive mortgages, helpful home buying tools including a free mortgage health check, and a team of local experts, you could be settling in Rockingham before you even know it.

“At Bendigo Bank, we can help customers in Rockingham by meeting you at a time and place that suits your busy schedule,” Ms Paget says.

“We will discuss your current situation and explore your dreams for the future to ensure you have a clear plan when your search begins.”

Ms. Paget adds that having a local agent on site could be an advantage.

“With our knowledge of the Rockingham area, we will be able to answer any questions you may have and point you in the right direction.”

If you do make a purchase in the suburbs, says Carolyn Hubbard, you’ll be welcomed with open arms: “I have great neighbors and we’re like one big family.”