Alexandra Middleton

The rising cost of housing in a string of bayside and inner-east suburbs hasn’t deterred buyers, bucking the trend of Melbourne’s softening market.

As investors shy away from the Melbourne market, a handful of areas have fallen below their 2019 prices.

Property prices have come off the boil, but the cost of owning a second home has skyrocketed, with increased land tax driving up costs.

Green space, a sense of community and plenty of family homes – home owners in these suburbs would never dream of moving away.

Unit values are rising faster than those of houses in some inner-city and bayside suburbs, as buyers chase lifestyle without the price tag.

An oversupply of housing stock paired with softened property values has created an ideal spring market for buyers.

Home owners are feeling the pinch, picking up extra shifts at work, cutting back on holidays and dipping into savings to keep up with repayments.

It’s not Toorak, but it’s more expensive than Brighton, Canterbury and Balwyn, and it’s rare that houses come up for sale.