Out of town investors look towards Liverpool Plains and business shows signs of bouncing back post COVID

That's according to Liz Morris, who after 20 years in the real estate business, last month made the brave move to venture out on her own, launching One Agency Liverpool Plains.

In her extensive time in the Liverpool Plains, the former property manager for Bettington Rural said the past six months have been the most exciting.

"There are a lot of investors coming from Sydney, and some from Melbourne, and they're looking for anything under that $300,000 mark," she said.

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According to CoreLogic data, property sales in the Liverpool Plains during November were up 40 per cent from the previous month, with 21 sold out of 28 listings.

Ms Morris said investors are finally realising they can get a higher return by putting their money into regional properties, with the rental returns in the Liverpool Plains sitting between 5 and 7 per cent.

"They're mainly looking at residential three bedroom, one bathroom homes, anything that's neat and tidy, with a shed or carpark," she said.

"COVID has made people realise they can work from home, so I'm finding a lot of people around here are working from home then maybe once a month commuting back to Sydney or Newcastle."

Rental vacancy rates in the district are still low, with only 12 leased during the month of November, 20 per cent down from the previous month.

"I've been here for 12 years, and at the start of the year it was more owner occupied, leaving tenants with no houses, so they were getting pushed out of the area," Ms Morris said.

"I think we're going to see a change in the next 6 to 12 months where there will be more rentals on the market because these investors are purchasing these properties."

The community is also feeling the benefits of some post-pandemic recovery, with three new businesses opening over the past few weeks, including Quirindi's Terminus Hotel and new beauty salon AMG Beauty.

To prepare for future growth and address housing affordability and shortage issues, Liverpool Plains Shire Council is planning to expand development ready land in Quirindi and Werris Creek.

The council has identified 50 residential lots that may be suitable for infill development, and is proposing to waive fees associated with water and sewer development for a 12-month period, which could save up to $16,000 per development application.

"This would make it an affordable opportunity for property owners, and has the potential to rapidly increase the land available for additional housing in Quirindi and Werris Creek," a council spokesperson said.

"Mum and dad property owners can capitalize on the value of their asset; and people wanting to simplify or downsize can do so without having to leave their home and community."