Citysiders have been showing an "unprecedented" amount of interest in buying up our rural properties.
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As local real estate agents tell of a mass exodus of cityfolk fleeing the confines of the crowded cities for our wide open spaces, there has been a rule book released on rural living set to help them adjust.
Well, not so much a rule book so much as a helpful hints to country care.
Local Land Services' Rural Living Handbook is a starter guide to getting the most out of a rural property.
Snapped up
On the front line of customer service for the North West, Margo Weeke said she had been fielding inquiries left, right and centre from people looking for advice on how to best run their property.
"People seeking that tree change is what we are seeing," she explained.
"Certainly, the number of properties that are being purchased by people wanting that tree change has increased - even through the drought, the tree change effect was happening even then."
She conducts land transfers, and sees first hand the amount of properties available that are getting snapped up.
"Places aren't on the market very long before they are being sold," she noted.
Having an updated handbook for landholders both new and existing is the perfect go-to for guidance on what LLS can provide.
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"Because not only is it a great lifestyle, having acreage, there is also responsibilities that come with it.
"If you had questions about pasture, or invasive species or livestock or anything like that, to have a place you can go to, you've basically got expertise and knowledge that can be shared with you anywhere."
Demand in sight
"People are sick of being on top of everyone else, they want the space to get away from people."
That's the vibe Robert Miller from Peel Valley Real Estate has been getting.
He has been inundated with people from cities wanting to move here. The intensity of phone calls has increased 10 fold, especially on their online listings.
"We are getting good inquiries from city people wanting to move to the open space," he said.
On top of that, there have been some "outstanding" prices paid on small to medium to rural properties.
He said now is the perfect time for vendors to get out of their shell and sell, as stock levels are at almost an all time low.
"I've got back up buyers for properties," he explains.
Its a positive thing for him one way knowing he can sell, however it does slow business somewhat.
While uncertainty remains on the economic future, this is the ideal opportunity for vendors to be putting their properties up while the demand is hot.
"My theory is that uncertainly of JobKeeper ... and people are concerned about the economy, so are sitting still.
"I see Tamworth moving forward in the next two or three years at a high rate due to the increasing rate of city interest."
Gunning for Gunnedah
In comparison, Gunnedah has seen a slight uptick in the number of inquires for rural properties from non-locals.
However while people have been putting their feelers out, whether or not they come through with purchases is yet to be determined.
Rural sales specialist for Elders Real Estate Ian McArthur says selling up city residences and investing in the country could be most beneficial.
"There is some interest there," Mr McArthur said.
"Whether we get many sales remains to be seen, but it has been stronger than other years gone by."
He said people who are looking to invest in the residential market don't have to do so in the city, and are moving away from that path.
"They can sell the city property and have money left in their pocket and get much larger block and bigger home to move to," he explained.
"It does look appealing given the returns if they do buy rural land, apart from capital gain."
Banks are also appearing more amenable to lending as people start to pay off debts as the weather pattern evens out after the extended drought.
"There's not as many places [on the market] as we anticipated off the back of the dry few years we've had.
"But I guess now that spring is here, we are seeing a few more listings, but not an abundance of them but still remains to be seen."
Pandemic power
Moving from the city to live and work rurally, there is much more to know than to breath in the fresh air.
"But in among all of that, its also important to be culturally aware of your environment, because if you don't take good care of your land you hinder its longevity as well," Ms Weeke explained.
Since the pandemic kicked in, Ms Weeke has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of engagement LLS has had on their Facebook page.
The amount of interest their webinars are getting is generating really engaging discussions on today's farming practices.
"There is a lot more interest in today's farming enterprises, and people are wanting the expertise and the knowledge and they are wanting to be able to be in contact with people to learn how to run the most professional and profitable business," she noted.
Take the hint
There's interest, there's some listings, but there's so much more to know.
Peter Evans, Senior Land Services Officer said they have helped large-scale primary producers to people who have a lifestyle block or hobby farm.
Their handbook comes with a handy list of hints and questions to ask before you purchase.
"We understand it is not always easy to know what to do or the right people ... to go to for help, if you have never lived in a rural area before," he said.
