Why Australian property values have held up so well in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Western Sydney’s growth corridors have become the top draw for first homebuyers due to the abundance of new housing eligible for government grants and discounts. Online search trends over the past year revealed suburbs such as Schofields, Box Hill, Marsden Park and Quakers Hill were among the areas attracting the most first homebuyer inquiries last year. These suburbs were all rich with new housing estates and the bulk of newly built or under construction homes were priced well under $1 million. Parramatta, where developers have released a slew of new apartments, was the most searched suburb for first-time unit buyers. There was a similar surge in first homebuyer interest in Liverpool and Blacktown, which also had a significant pipeline of new unit projects. Source: x Most popular suburbs for first homebuyers: new est... First-home buyers armed with cheap loans have been streaming into key pockets of Sydney over the past year – these were the suburbs that were the most popular. www.realestate.com.au

Growth in house prices will accelerate over 2021 and Sydney’s outer suburbs and coastal suburbs are tipped to lead the charge, new research revealed. Harbour City prices increased by an average of about four per cent over the year and bigger rises are expected over 2021 due to improving buyer confidence and lower interest rates spurring demand. Bullish predictions included projections of 7-11 per cent growth by SQM Research, which has been among the most accurate forecasters of housing values over the past decade. Other suburbs that attracted a surge of buyer interest included outer Sydney suburbs Glenbrook, near the Blue Mountains, and Dural, known for its large acreages. Buyer searches also doubled in Farmborough Heights at the foot of Mount Kembla on the outskirts of Wollongong. For details, visit: x Suburbs set to boom in 2021: Central Coast, Greate... House prices are expected to spike over 2021 but growth will not be evenly spread, with new research revealing the suburbs where buyer demand recently turned red hot. www.realestate.com.au

First homebuyers have been handed an epic opportunity to snap up a northern beaches property by the water for as little as $32,500 upfront. The 1088sqm parcel of land at Coasters Retreat comes with DA approved plans and a $650,000 price guide. On top of this, there is also the NSW HomeBuilder grant, which is a $25,000 lump sum if applied before December 31, or $15,000 if applied after January 1. While the ability to own a Pittwater property sounds bliss, this address is unlike you’re typical home on the northern beaches. For a start, the only way to access 34 Coasters Retreat is by a ferry that runs hourly between the enclave and Palm Beach. Get more details at: x Coasters Retreat block offers incredible opportuni... With a bit of help from the First Home Buyer Deposit Scheme, first homebuyers have the ability to snap up this northern beaches waterfront property. www.realestate.com.au

While our property markets have been generally subdued this year, the top 10 primary and top 10 secondary school catchment zones nationwide all reported house price growth of at least 25% year-on-year, a new 2020 School Zone Report by Domain Group reveals. The report highlights school zones in Australia’s major cities where house prices increased the most in the past 12 year. The nationwide overview shows school zones in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane also placed within each of the top 10 lists. Across Australia’s capital city markets, the school catchments with the biggest increase in house prices were spread across inner, middle and outer suburban locations, Domain’s report reveals. At the top of the list for Australia’s primary school’s is Como Primary School in Perth which saw its house prices skyrocket an enormous 35.6% to a new $901,750 median. Among primary schools, the fastest house price rises were in the Como Primary School and Dudley Park Primary School catchment areas in Western Australia, which soared 35.6% and 30.8% respectively in 12 months. Get details at: x Australia’s top 10 school catchment areas for st... House prices in some of Australia’s school catchment areas have soared by as much as 35% over the past 12 months. While our property markets have been... propertyupdate.com.au

It's not easy to escape the rent race and jump into home ownership, especially as the housing market returns to vibrant health once again. Fortunately, there are tips that can help you save and secure a home, and they might even help your financial health overall.  1. Start saving by throwing money into an account you won't touch 2. Work out your borrowing power3. Check your credit score early on and make it better 4. Research and compare your home loan options diligently 5. Consider a move outside of the city limits 6. Find out if you're eligible for assistance 7. Talk to a broker Get details at: x Seven tips to help you get your first home in 2021 Your first home doesn't have to be a pipe dream this year. What ideas and tips can you use to make sure you get on the property ladder in 2021? www.ratecity.com.au

Aussies are snapping up their first homes in the outer suburbs, a big bank’s data reveals, eschewing the trend of living in city centres as modern lifestyles evolve. The value of owner-occupier loans reached a record high in October, according to the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS) -- and driving 35 per cent of these commitments were first time home buyers. “First home buyers are back in the market at levels we haven’t seen for a decade,” Andy Kerr said, executive of home ownership at NAB. “Demand has been supported by historically low interest rates and more government support, such as the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme and HomeBuilder. Source: x First home buyers are flocking to the suburbs Aussies are snapping up their first homes in the outer suburbs, a big bank’s data reveals, eschewing the trend of living in city centres as modern lifestyles evolve. www.ratecity.com.au