CorrineT

The poor cousin of Bentleigh is apparently going through gentrification. That said, it is still one of the most hard to access suburbs in Melbourne trapped between the extremely busy North Road, East Boundary Road, South Road and Warrigal Road. The only public transport there are buses that take you further away from the CBD and you are far and away from the nearest train station. Forget about night life or shopping, it's a long jammed up drive to Chadstone and Southland is well, pretty average. The suburb is also not very safe because there are some very dodgy spots and areas. You need to find that out yourself. And finally, you will need 2 cars to live in Bentleigh if you have kids.
Now, there are not heaps of duplex townhouses being developed by 'new builders' with barely 3 years of experience. Yes, these are builders who used to work for another company, and then set up their own small firm. They are trying to make a name for themselves and I have checked out every single one of their homes. Cosmetically beautifully. Structurally average but it's the stuff you don't see that worries you. They are demanding anywhere from $1m to $1.4m which is overpriced for a suburb with nothing going on and no serious public transport. But it at your own risk. Note, this isn't a Malvern East or Brighton East or Caulfield East or Hampton East. This is Bentleigh East. You need to bargain hard because if you don't, you will make a huge loss in your property.
Here are the financials. A new townhouse costing you 1.2m can only rent out at a maximum of 700 per week. You do the math. No friggin yield. Yup. Earning capacity of residents are way below price of properties. Don't say I did warn you.