Australia Real Estate Forum

Melbourne suburbs where first-home buyers should look in 2020.The only way is up for Melbourne real estate this year, according to property pundits. This is where experts say first-timers should look in the north, south, east and western suburbs this year. So we asked experts and agents across the city for their tips on where to buy. FIRST HOME: less than $750,000 NORTH Craigieburn: First-home buyers would find both houses ($540,000 median) and units ($379,900) achievable in this “growing suburb with reliable transport”. Coburg North/Pascoe Vale: Access to Merri Creek, decent-sized blocks and an affordable $631,000 unit median ensured Coburg North’s appeal, Nelson Alexander Coburg partner Steven Shaw said. Pascoe Vale ($625,000) was also a good bet. Donnybrook/Kalkallo: These fringe suburbs were well connected via the Hume Freeway and Donnybrook train station, and serviced by Epping Plaza and Craigieburn Central, KR Peters director Peter Nicolls said. Donnybrook is flush with new housing and land estates, while Kalkallo has a $580,000 house median. Flemington/Kensington/Travancore: Easy access to the city, “plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes”, and Flemington Racecourse were among this trio’s selling points, Ms Calnan said. Their unit markets offered affordable medians ranging from $355,000 to $583,750. Oak Park: Brad Teal Real Estate director Brad Teal said Oak Park ($612,000 unit median) offered “good land sizes, a bike track into the city, a good choice of primary schools, a train station and freeway access”. Units in boutique ‘70s and ‘80s blocks made ideal entry points. SOUTH Cranbourne West: This southeastern suburb had “access to several schools, Sandhurst Shopping Centre, and Merinda Park and Cranbourne train stations”, Ms Calnan said. The median house price is an affordable $565,000. Clyde North: Mr Nicolls said “value for money” was at a premium in this suburb, with first-home buyers able to secure 460sq m house and land packages from $560,000. “With myriad amenities already nearby, easy access to major roadways and new schools and parks, this suburb will only continue to thrive,” he said. Dandenong: “Great views, plenty of shops and two train lines” should put Dandenong on first-timers’ radars, according to Ms Calnan. It also offers affordable homes, at a $634,000 median for houses and $285,000 for units. Frankston North: A more affordable option ($430,000 house median) than neighbouring Frankston, this suburb offers similar lifestyle perks. “It’s close to the sea and still close to the train line,” Ms Calnan said. Windsor: First-home buyers who score units or apartments ($487,500 median) in this inner suburb will benefit from being close to the CBD. EAST Bayswater/Bayswater North: Affordable median unit prices of $650,000 and $514,995 respectively were on offer in these suburbs with a “plethora of shops and access to EastLink”, Ms Calnan said. Boronia: Buyers can choose from a “mix of townhouses, apartments and established homes” in this outer suburb, according to Mr Nicolls. It had been boosted by the train station’s “major rejuvenation”, but homes remained affordable, with medians of $730,000 for houses and $591,000 for units. Bulleen: Bordering prestige Balwyn North and Ivanhoe ensured Bulleen had stellar growth potential, Barry Plant Doncaster East’s Spiro Drossos said, but its unit market remained affordable ($550,000 median). Hawthorn: This suburb oozed lifestyle perks, Ms Calnan said, being home to “many bars, restaurants, cafes and shops”. Its unit market is achievable for first timers, with a $600,000 median. Yarra Junction: For those who don’t mind a longer commute, Yarra Junction is an “affordable country community with beautiful landscapes, 55km from the CBD”, according to Ms Calnan. A median-priced house will set you back $582,340. WEST Maribyrnong: Access to the Maribyrnong River, and an easy commute to the CBD, are highlights of this inner northwest postcode, according to Ms Calnan. A typical unit there costs $530,000. Melton: This outer suburb’s $377,500 house median is among Melbourne’s cheapest. But Ms Calnan also highlighted Melton’s shopping centre, larger block sizes, and the fact it offered “a beautiful country lifestyle on its back step”. Spotswood: The “first suburb off the ramp leaving the CBD on the West Gate Bridge” offered absolute convenience and a “mix of Edwardian and Californian bungalow homes,” Mr Teal said. Werribee/Wyndham Vale: Affordability was No. 1 in these suburbs, Ms Calnan said, with a median-priced house worth $510,000 in Werribee and $472,000 in Wyndham Vale. Both are connected to Melbourne and Geelong via train. West Footscray: The unit market offers a handy entry point, with a $533,750 median, while the suburb boasts “easy access to the city and a growing economic hub”, according to Ms Calnan. Neighbouring Footscray and Kingsville are also good bets. source:www.realestate.com.au

Sydney’s lower north shore property market ran hot right up to the end of 2019. And as the market comes back for 2020, it seems to be picking up right where it left off. The lower north shore’s property market ran hot right up to the end of 2019, and many agents were back at work within days of the new year’s arrival, as buyers kept the pressure on stock and prices.While many agents are holding off until February 15 – tipped to be the year’s first Super Saturday for auctions, others are planning to start early. February 8 is shaping up as the first auction weekend for 2020 on the lower north shore. Tom Scarpignato, of Belle Property Neutral Bay, has set a February 8 auction date for 7/3 Belmont Ave, Wollstonecraft. According to realestate.com.au, there are only seven properties currently for sale in Wollstonecraft, and six of them are apartments. The two-bedroom-plus study apartment has a 145sqm floorplan and is located on the corner of the block on the second floor.Features include a balcony with a leafy outlook, new stone kitchen, internal laundry, reverse-cycle airconditioning, plantation shutters and a garage with built-in storage area. The property goes under the hammer on-site at 10.30am, with a price guide of $925,000.A two-bedroom apartment in Cremorne also has a date with the auctioneer on February 8.Almost 30 groups braved the rain last weekend to inspect 2/66A Murdoch St.It is literally ready to move straight in – there is nothing to do The apartment has a price guide of $1.1 million to $1.2 million and is open for inspection today and Saturday from 10-10.30am. source:x Lower north shore property market picks up where i... Sydney’s lower north shore property market ran hot right up to the end of 2019. And as the market comes back for 2020, it seems to be picking up right where it left off. www.realestate.com.au

Rare chance to buy into upper north shore suburb of NaremburnThere is currently one house on the market in this suburb on Sydney’s upper north shore.According to source only 42 houses have changed hands in Naremburn in the past 12 months. Buyers have been quick to get in and take a look at the property – even braving torrential rain.Naremburn is one of the upper north shore’s most tightly held suburbs, thanks to its leafy village-style locale and proximity to the city, schools and transport. The four-bedroom Federation home, at 69 Northcote St, has been fully renovated, creating a family friendly blend of contemporary style and original period details.It also comes with DA approval for off-street parking, and is within walking distance of St Leonards train station. The heart of the Sydney CBD is 6km away. get more detail herex Rare chance to buy into upper north shore suburb o... There is currently one house on the market in this suburb on Sydney’s upper north shore. Buyers have been quick to get in and take a look at the property – even braving torrential rain. www.realestate.com.au

Brisbane’s east coast was the hottest part of the city for people to buy into last year, latest figures show, containing three of the top four suburbs that posted the highest number of sales. Figures from realestate.com.au, mapping suburbs within 30km of major cities, saw Cleveland emerge with the most sales at 340.The figures covered both house and unit sales, and suburbs where a minimum of 30 sales occurred covering at least 5 per cent of the housing stock. Brisbane City was in the mix with 249 sales, a figure matched by Morningside.Others in the top 10 list including Camp Hill (244), Brighton (207) and Bulimba (177).Brisbane’s most expensive suburb Teneriffe rounded out the top 10 most sales with 172. Read more:x East coast tops Brisbane’s hottest suburbs - rea... Brisbane’s east coast was the hottest part of the city for people to buy into last year, latest figures show, containing three of the top four suburbs that posted the highest number of sales. www.realestate.com.au

For the first time Melbourne unit values surpassed $630,000, while new benchmarks were set across inner, middle, and outer rings.House values in metropolitan Victoria have surpassed $850,000 for the first time as the state continued its strong run, smashing price records in the December 2019 quarter. The results come on the back of two consecutive quarters with growth of more than 3 per cent each, according to the latest Real Estate Institute Victoria quarterly. The results come on the back of two consecutive quarters with growth of more than 3 per cent each, according to the latest Real Estate Institute Victoria quarterly median price data. New Records in Property marketThe momentum continued in regional Victoria with house prices achieving a growth of 2.2 per cent over the previous quarter and setting a new median price record of $422,500.Regional units are up by 3.2 per cent, having climbed to $307,500 which is a new high.Auction sales also achieved a new record with houses in metro breaking the $1 million barrier for the first time and units surpassing $700,000. source: EliteAgentx Victorian property market sets new records House values in metropolitan Victoria have surpassed $850,000 for the first time as the state continued its strong run, smashing price records in the December 2019 quarter. The results come on the bac... eliteagent.com