MORE homes were approved for build in Greater Bendigo in 2019 than the previous three years, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.
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Planning applications for 831 new houses were approved in the region last year, up from 766 in 2018.
The last time the approval numbers were that high in Greater Bendigo was 2016 when 832 houses were approved.
Todd Newman Builders director Todd Newman said his business had noticed an increase in the number of building approvals in the Bendigo region. He said it was the result of a decade of work.
"I would say the developers of the last 10 to 15 years have done really well in terms of planning," Mr Newman said.
"Land development doesn't happen overnight. While there is no shortage of land, they have done well in keeping land development to new home builders and consumers."
Bendigo real estate agents told the Bendigo Advertiser the real estate market would continue to flourish in the region after a strong 2019.
But Tweed Sutherland director Darryn O'Keefe said there were more buyers in Bendigo than available listings.
Mr Newman said his business was working with buyers from all ends of the spectrum.
"We are proud to cater from first home buyers to retired customers," he said. "We do see a lot of second, third, or fourth home buyers.
"We're probably seeing more people coming from out of town and looking to settle in Bendigo or Castlemaine."
But while building approval numbers were on the rise, Mr Newman said people needed to be aware of the challenges that came with the application procedures.
"The permit and planning approvals are a very challenging process," he said. "But if you understand the process, then you don't have to wrestle with the time frame.
"Customer education is a word I use a lot. I say to our customers, what you think will take three to five months will often take five to seven months.
"Seven out of ten customers don't understand that until they are told. We use the philosophy to under promise and over deliver."
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