Hugh Francis
136 Mount Pleasant Road, Forest Hill, Vic 3131
$1,250,000 - $1,350,000
3 2 2
Auction Saturday 20 June 2:00 pm🏛️ About This Suburb (Last Updated Date: 2026-03-13)
History, Aboriginal heritage, and the story behind the name.
Forest Hill — Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country
Originally an area dominated by orchards and small-scale farming, Forest Hill underwent rapid residential development in the post-WWII era, specifically the 1950s and 60s. The opening of Forest Hill Chase in 1964 as one of Australia's first major shopping centres cemented its status as a residential hub.
A leafy, established suburb characterized by well-maintained brick veneer homes on generous allotments, popular with multi-generational families.
Overall Score
7.8
A high-performing middle-ring suburb with strong family appeal and consistent capital growth.
Name Origin
Derived from the name of a cottage built by early settler Captain Robert de Little in the mid-19th century.
Established
Gazetted 1927
Retail Hub
Home to Forest Hill Chase, one of the oldest major shopping centres in Victoria.
Green Space
Bordered by the extensive Bellbird Dell Reserve and Mahoneys Reserve.
Education
Contains Forest Hill College and several highly regarded primary schools.
📊 Scorecard
12 key dimensions scored 0–10. Each score includes a one-line explanation.
Market Momentum
7
Steady demand for renovated family homes despite broader interest rate pressures.
Amenity
8
Excellent access to retail, medical services, and recreational facilities like Aqualink.
Schools
8
Strong local primary options and proximity to high-performing secondary colleges.
Transport
5
Marked down due to the absence of a train station; relies on buses to Nunawading/Blackburn.
Risk Profile
8
Low risk of significant price volatility or environmental hazards like flooding.
Liveability
8
High quality of life with abundant parks and a quiet residential atmosphere.
Demographics
7
Stable population of established families and an increasing number of young professionals.
Rental Demand
7
Consistent demand from families seeking school catchment zones.
Growth Potential
7
Solid long-term prospects driven by land value and lack of new supply.
Affordability
6
More accessible than neighbouring Blackburn or Vermont South, but still premium.
Crime & Safety
8
Low crime rates consistent with the broader City of Whitehorse average.
Walkability
6
High near the shopping centre, but decreases significantly in the southern residential pockets.
⚡ Quick Snapshot
Key metrics at a glance, plus your top advantages and watch-outs.
Median House
$1,320,000
Estimated 2026 median
Median Unit
$845,000
Includes modern townhouses
1yr Growth
4.2%
Steady capital appreciation
Family Ratio
74%
High percentage of households
Parkland
12%
Total suburb area is green space
Transport
Bus Hub
Primary public transport mode
✅ Key Advantages
- Excellent retail amenity with Forest Hill Chase providing everything from groceries to cinema.
- Large block sizes (typically 550sqm+) offer significant renovation or extension potential.
- Quiet, tree-lined streets with minimal through-traffic in residential pockets.
- Strong community feel with active local sporting clubs and community centres.
- Proximity to major employment hubs in Box Hill and Mulgrave via EastLink.
⚠️ Key Watch-Outs
- Heavy traffic congestion on Springvale Road and Canterbury Road during peak hours.
- Significant distance to the nearest train station (Nunawading or Blackburn).
- Aging infrastructure in some 1960s-era homes requiring costly updates.
- Limited nightlife or 'trendy' cafe culture compared to inner-east suburbs.
- Increasing number of dual-occupancy developments impacting street parking.
🏘️ Suburb Overview
Character, property mix, price range and what drives value here.
🏙️ Character
Family Residential
How this suburb feels day-to-day.
🏠 Property Types
Predominantly detached brick veneer houses, with a growing number of modern townhouses.
Dominant dwelling stock.
💰 Price Range
$750k (units) – $1.8m (large renovated houses)
Typical entry to ceiling.
💡 Why It Matters
Forest Hill represents the 'sweet spot' for families who are priced out of Blackburn but want better amenities than deeper eastern suburbs. It is a low-turnover area where residents tend to stay for decades.
💰 Price Guide & Market Trends
Medians, rental market, 5-year history and property split.
🏠 House Median
$1,320,000
$1.15m – $1.75m
🏢 Unit Median
$845,000
$620k – $980k
📈 Price Trend
+4.2% past 12 months
12-month movement
🔑 Weekly Rents
Houses $680pw, Units $540pw
Current asking rents
📉 5-Year Price History
🏘️ Property Type Split
The price gap between unrenovated 1960s homes and modern 'knock-down-rebuilds' is widening, creating opportunities for value-add buyers.
🎯 Affordability
How this suburb compares to metro and state medians.
🏙️ vs Metro Average
8% above Melbourne metro median
Price comparison
📋 Income Ratio
8.8x average household income
Median price ÷ median income
💳 Gross Yield
3.2% gross yield for houses
Estimated rental yield
More AffordableModeratePremium
Entry levelMid rangePremium
While more affordable than the inner-east, Forest Hill requires a significant deposit. It is increasingly difficult for first-home buyers without parental assistance.
🔥 Rental Demand
Vacancy rates, demand pressure, tenant profile, and investor outlook.
📊 Vacancy Rate
1.1%
Lower = tighter market
⏱️ Days to Lease
18 days
Avg time on market
📈 Rent Growth p.a.
+8.5% pa
Annual rental increase
Demand Level
High
👤 Tenant Profile
Young families and professionals working in the eastern suburbs or Box Hill medical precinct.
💼 Investor Outlook
Strong capital growth potential and low vacancy rates make it a safe 'land bank' play, though yields are modest.
🚀 Growth Potential
Historical capital growth, infrastructure pipeline, and 5-year outlook.
+4.2%
1-Year Growth
+12.5% cumulative
3-Year Growth
+22% cumulative
5-Year Growth
📍 Growth Drivers
- Ongoing gentrification as older residents downsize and younger families renovate.
- Proximity to the Box Hill 'second CBD' driving overflow demand.
- Scarcity of large residential blocks in the middle-ring east.
- Continued investment in Forest Hill Chase and local parklands.
⛔ Headwinds
- Rising land tax and interest rates impacting investor participation.
- Lack of major new infrastructure projects directly within the suburb.
- Competition from Vermont South which offers tram access.
🔮 5-Year Outlook
Expect steady, low-volatility growth. Forest Hill will likely track slightly above the Melbourne metropolitan average due to its high land-to-asset ratio.
🛡️ Crime & Safety
Safety index, trend comparison, and what to check locally.
8
Safety Score
Above Average
📉 Trend
Stable
vs last 12 months
🏙️ vs Metro Average
12% below metro average crime rate
Relative comparison
Risk Categories
Property Crime: Low
Personal Safety: Low
Traffic Incidents: Medium
📋 What to Check Locally
Check local police statistics for the area immediately surrounding Forest Hill Chase, which can occasionally see higher rates of opportunistic theft.
⚠️ Risk Profile
Natural hazards and planning risks to verify before buying.
📋 Summary
The primary risks are related to property condition and traffic rather than environmental hazards.
🌊 Flood Risk
Very low risk; most of the suburb is elevated. Check Whitehorse Council flood maps for properties near Mahoneys Reserve.
🔥 Bushfire Risk
Negligible risk in this urbanized area.
🏦 Insurance Impact
Standard premiums apply; no known suburb-wide insurance loading.
🗺️ Planning & Zoning
Development controls, overlays, and what's changing locally.
📐 Typical Zoning
General Residential Zone - Schedule 1 (GRZ1)
🔲 Overlays
Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO9), Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO)
🏗️ Development Hotspots
Consolidation of lots along Canterbury Road for medium-density townhouses.
Overlays protect the leafy character of the suburb, meaning removing large trees for development can be difficult and requires council permits.
🌳 Liveability
Day-to-day experience — transport, amenity, green space, schools and healthcare.
🚌 Transport
Heavily reliant on bus routes (703, 735, 765) and private vehicles.
🛍️ Amenity & Retail
Excellent. Forest Hill Chase is a comprehensive retail and entertainment destination.
🌲 Parks & Recreation
High quality. Bellbird Dell offers beautiful walking trails and native vegetation.
🏫 Schools
Strong. Forest Hill College has seen significant improvement in recent years.
🏥 Healthcare
Good. Numerous GP clinics locally, with Box Hill Hospital approximately 15 minutes away.
👥 Demographics
Who lives here — income, age, ownership, and education levels.
A mature, multicultural community with a high proportion of Australian-born and Chinese-heritage residents.
💵 Median Income
$92,500 pa per household
🏠 Ownership
72% owner-occupied (including those with mortgages)
🎂 Age Profile
Median age 41
🎓 Education
High; over 35% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
📊 Age Distribution
The high owner-occupancy rate indicates a stable community where residents take pride in property maintenance.
🏗️ Major Developments
Infrastructure pipeline and what it means for values and liveability.
📋 Overview
Focus is on incremental residential infill and upgrades to community facilities.
📈 Positive Impacts
- Upgrades to the Forest Hill Chase retail mix.
- Refurbishment of local sporting pavilions at Mahoneys Reserve.
- Ongoing improvements to the Whitehorse cycling network.
📉 Negative Impacts
- Increased traffic density on local connector roads.
- Loss of backyard canopy trees due to townhouse subdivisions.
🗺️ Nearby Suburb Comparison
How neighbouring suburbs stack up on price, lifestyle and who they suit.
📍Blackburn
Position
West
Price
20% more expensive
Lifestyle
Has a train station and more 'village' feel.
Best for
Higher budget buyers prioritizing rail access.
📍Vermont South
Position
South
Price
10% more expensive
Lifestyle
Access to the Route 75 tram and larger homes.
Best for
Families wanting direct city tram links.
📍Nunawading
Position
North
Price
Similar
Lifestyle
More industrial/commercial pockets but has the train.
Best for
Commuters willing to trade some 'leafiness' for rail.
📍Burwood East
Position
South-West
Price
15% more expensive
Lifestyle
Closer to Deakin University and tram lines.
Best for
Investors and those needing university access.
🔍 Similar Suburbs
Suburbs with a comparable profile — useful if this one is over budget or sold up.
Wheelers Hill
VIC
7.5/10
Leafy, family-oriented, no train station, strong retail hub.
Templestowe Lower
VIC
7.7/10
Mid-century housing stock, reliant on buses, strong school focus.
Baulkham Hills
NSW
7.6/10
Middle-ring family suburb, major shopping centre, bus-reliant.
Carindale
QLD
8.0/10
Dominant shopping centre, high owner-occupancy, bus-centric transport.
💬 Community Sentiment
Aggregated themes from resident discussions, forums and local feedback.
📊 Overall Community Sentiment
Residents value the suburb for its safety, convenience, and 'old-fashioned' neighborhood feel where people know their neighbors.
★★★★★
Family Living
It's the perfect place to raise kids. The parks are fantastic and everything you need is at 'The Chase'.
Safety
Convenience
★★★★☆
Commuting
Love the house and the area, but the bus-to-train commute can be a bit of a drag in winter.
Affordability
Transport
★★★★☆
Investment
Never had a problem finding tenants. Families really want to be in this school zone.
Rental Demand
Yield
💡 Tailored Advice
Personalised guidance for every role in this market.
🧑💼 Buyer Strategy
- Prioritize properties within walking distance of Forest Hill Chase to maximize future resale value.
- Check if the property falls within the Vermont Secondary College zone (select southern pockets), as this adds significant value.
- Look for homes with north-facing backyards to maximize light in mid-century layouts.
- Factor in a renovation budget for 1960s homes that may still have original wiring or plumbing.
- Attend multiple auctions to gauge the true 'emotional premium' being paid for renovated homes.
❓ Questions to Ask the Agent
- Is this property within the Vermont Secondary College catchment zone?
- Has the house been professionally cleared of asbestos during any previous renovations?
- Are there any active planning permits for multi-unit developments on this street?
- What is the age of the hot water service and main switchboard?
- How many groups have requested contracts or building reports so far?
- Are there any known issues with the drainage or sewerage lines (common in older parts of the suburb)?
🏷️ Seller Strategy
- Highlight any energy-efficiency upgrades (solar, double glazing) as these are highly prized by modern buyers.
- Ensure gardens are neatly landscaped; the 'leafy' appeal is a major selling point in 3131.
- Professional staging is essential to help buyers visualize how to use older, sometimes quirky, floorplans.
- Target young families by emphasizing proximity to Parkmore Primary or Forest Hill College.
📣 Positioning Tips
Position the property as a 'forever home' with solid bones and room to grow. Emphasize the lifestyle convenience of the nearby retail and parkland.
💼 Investment Case
A low-risk capital growth play with high land value.
⚠️ Investment Risks
Low rental yields and potential for high maintenance costs on older dwellings.
📈 Action Plan
- Target 3-bedroom houses on 600sqm+ blocks.
- Perform a thorough building inspection for asbestos and stump condition.
- Consider a cosmetic refresh (paint/floors) to maximize rental appraisal.
- Hold for a minimum 7-10 year cycle to capture capital growth.
🔑 Renter Tips
- Apply quickly for properties near the shopping centre as they lease fastest.
- Check bus schedules to ensure your commute to the train is viable.
- Look for older units which often offer more space than new builds for the same price.
🏘️ What Renters Love Here
Quiet streets and great access to shops and gyms.
⚠️ Renter Watch-Outs
Limited public transport late at night; a car is almost essential.
🏢 Landlord Strategy
- Regularly maintain gutters and trees to prevent drainage issues.
- Consider allowing pets to tap into the high family demand.
- Ensure heating and cooling systems are modern and efficient.
📋 Compliance & Management
Ensure all properties meet the latest Victorian rental minimum standards, particularly regarding insulation and electrical safety.
🤝 Agent Insights
- Stock levels remain tight, leading to competitive auction environments.
- Buyers are increasingly wary of 'flipped' properties with poor quality finishes.
- The 'school zone' effect is the single biggest driver of price premiums.
🎯 Marketing Angles
The '15-minute suburb'—where everything from school to cinema is within a short drive or walk.
👤 Target Buyer Profile
Young families upgrading from apartments in Box Hill or Glen Waverley.
✅ Due Diligence Checklist
Tap items to tick them off. Don't skip these before signing anything.
✓
Verify school catchment boundaries via findmyschool.vic.gov.au.
✓
Order a professional building and pest inspection focusing on stumps and roof structure.
✓
Check the Section 32 for any Significant Landscape Overlays (SLO) that restrict tree removal.
✓
Review the Whitehorse Council planning portal for nearby development applications.
✓
Test the commute time to your workplace during peak hour (8:00 AM).
✓
Inspect the property during a heavy rain event to check for site drainage issues.
✓
Confirm the presence of any easements that might restrict future extensions or pools.
✓
Check for any heritage citations (though rare in Forest Hill).
✓
Assess the condition of boundary fences, as these can be a hidden cost.
✓
Verify the functionality of all heating and cooling units.
📚 Government Sources & Disclaimer
Official council and government links only. Always verify independently before any property decision.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This report is based on historical data and market projections as of March 2026. It does not constitute financial advice. Property values can fluctuate, and buyers should conduct their own independent research and seek professional legal and financial counsel before purchasing.
