Ian Lockwood has been in real estate for 30 years in Metung.

He’s experienced the highs and lows of the real estate market over the years, but claims never in those three decades has business been as good as it is now.

Since November last year, Mr Lockwood says real estate sales have been going gangbusters.

“We’ve had best trading period that I’ve ever had since I’ve been in the real estate business.”

“It’s been really, really good and what’s been of interest to me is that it’s directly against what the mainstream media is saying out there,” Mr Lockwood said.

He says other country areas are also showing similar form.

“Our biggest immediate concern is getting the damn listings. People are hanging onto their properties because I think they’re being brainwashed by the media that real estate is doing so bad.”

Mr Lockwood said while that might be the case in some of the city/suburban areas, “but the fact of life is, in the country, things are booming real estate wise”.

He attributes the increased interest in purchasing properties in East Gippsland to “people are wanting to get out of the big smoke and they’re wanting to move to country areas like Metung Village.”

Mr Lockwood said the Metung Hot Springs project had generated interest in the town, resulting in a plethora of interest in properties.

He expects the interest to grow once the hot springs open and bring more visitors to Metung.

“We’re a tiny little village of 1300 people thereabouts, give or take, and everyone kind of knows everyone down here, so as a result of that we don’t have anything untoward that happens.”

Mr Lockwood said while once upon a time million dollar properties weren’t on the radar in Metung, he says there’s now a market for just that.

“We cannot get enough million dollar properties,” he said.

Lockwood Real Estate recently sold two properties in the million dollar price bracket to buyers, he said, “were wanting to get out of the city.”

He believes COVID-19 has made people reassess their lifestyles and the country provides appeal for many, who are able to work remotely.

“There’s nobody listing their properties because they think that the market is flat, that the market is dead, but it’s not in East Gippsland,” Mr Lockwood said.

He says with interest rates at an all time low, there’s never been a better time to buy.

Mr Lockwood said the market also provided a perfect opportunity for investors with rental properties hard to come by in Metung.

He says a recent rental property his agency had available to let attracted 38 applications.

IMAGE: Ian Lockwood, of Lockwood Real Estate in Metung, says business is as good as ever. K363-6667