WHITTINGTON is growing in popularity among first-home buyers looking for an affordable foothold in the property market.

With a median house price of $287,000 and a steady turnover of units, the suburb is also finding favour with savvy investors.

Increasing demand has seen the median house price rise 10 per cent in the past 12 months, according to CoreLogic.

Maxwell Collins agent Eugene Carroll tipped the popularity of Whittington, and the surrounding suburbs of Newcomb and St Albans Park, would continue to surge.

1/180 Coppards Rd, Whittington, is selling for 209,000.

“It comes back to it being an affordable entry point,” Mr Carroll said.

“I think from now on the first-home buyers grant is going to be a huge boost and it’s probably poised to really kick off.”

He said first-home buyers could pick up a house for $300,000 to $350,000, with easy access to the Bellarine Peninsula adding to the attraction.

“It’s on the eastern side, 10 minutes out from the city and there is terrific infrastructure in regards to shopping centres, health and there’s a number of schools,” he said.

“The Barwon River is not that far away.”

3 Bean Court, Whittington is a three-bedroom house selling for $320,000.

CoreLogic data shows a recent surge in unit activity in Whittington, with the median price jumping 12.7 per cent in the past three months.

Mr Carroll said many of the older blocks lent themselves to subdivision and the creation of battleaxe blocks with a rear unit.

With a median price of $200,000 and median asking rents of $250, investors are snapping up unit stock that hits the market.

“I think when people add it all up, it you are looking at it as an investment, they do rent our relatively quickly,” Mr Carroll said.

“Most of them are brick and low maintenance so it ticks a lot of boxes for investors.”