ARARAT - Ararat's property market appears to be one of the biggest winners from the national attention the town has received on the back of the filming and subsequent airing of the television show 'The Biggest Loser'.
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More people active in the gyms and streets appears to have translated to more buyers and investors being active in the local property market.
Landmark Ararat's managing director, Greg Kerr said a growing number of people have contacted him curious about what Ararat has to offer.
"Ararat now has a national profile with The Biggest Loser and that has increased awareness which is bringing business," he said.
"Since The Biggest Loser there appears to be more people prepared to invest their dollars in Ararat real estate.
"In one week alone, my office sold seven properties with three sold to investors from out of town and one to a couple looking to move here in early retirement."
It isn't just real estate agents and home buyers reaping the benefits of a marketing exercise the size of a nationally broadcast television show.
Locally businesses are on the receiving end of a bulging tourist dollar from the realisation that just 10 percent of Ararat residents spend a third of their gross household income on rent, or mortgage repayments making it one of the most affordable areas in Victoria.
"The airing of the The Biggest Loser presents a wonderful opportunity to cash in on Ararat's tourism market as the gateway to the Grampians," Mr Kerr said.
Ararat Rural City Council has sold itself as a region of opportunity and investors and potential home buyers have been sitting up taking notice of Ararat's proximity to the country, city and Grampians.
Mr Kerr appears to stand almost alone in his view that the television program has has a noticeable impact on the local property market.
Ararat's other three leading real estate agencies (Elders, PRD Nationwide and First National) won't attribute sales to the nationwide attention received as a result of The Biggest Loser.
They do however conclude there is a heightened awareness of the town's profile through the airing of weight loss challenges in the Grampians and how the town has been portrayed.