Location may be a big driver of property prices, but in any given suburb a few streets can be all that separates paying top dollar for a home or potentially scoring a bargain. Here is how to use a tool to find pockets of value in any given neighbourhood.
Each suburb has its own median house prices, and sites like realestate.com.au can provide a useful guide to median values for a particular postcode. However, the median is obviously only the middle point in each suburb’s dataset, and it’s common for prices to vary widely across a single suburb. Fortunately, there is an easy online tool that can help you identify more affordable pockets in the suburbs you are looking to buy in.
Interactive price tool
PropTrack has developed an interactive property price tool that reveals the median values across different parts of each suburb. The price differences can be surprising.
For example, in Beecroft, on Sydney’s North Shore, the median house price is about $2.4 million. But as PropTrack’s price tool shows, in certain parts of Beecroft, the median rises to more than $2.8 million, but several streets away, the figure is closer to $2.2. million. There is a reason for the $600,000 difference. The most affordable parts of the neighbourhood lie adjacent to the M2 Hills Motorway.
It is a similar story in Melbourne’s popular inner suburb of Fitzroy North. Known for its character-filled terrace houses, Fitzroy North has a median house value of $1.6 million. But if you want to live near Edinburgh Gardens, the suburb’s attractive parkland, be prepared to pay closer to $3 million.
In Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, the trendy James Street Market side of James Street has a median house price of $3 million, whereas, across the road towards Brunswick Street, there is a median house price of under $1.9 million.
These price differences are not unusual. According to a PropTrack analysis, home buyers can typically save around $365,000 by buying in the most affordable areas of a suburb. In some neighbourhoods though, the price gap becomes more of a chasm.
In the Perth suburb of Subiaco, for instance, several pockets of homes have median values topping $2 million. Head just around the corner to Subiaco Oval and the surrounding homes are priced closer to $840,000.
What to watch with bargain buys
By this stage, you have probably noticed a trend. Nearby features can have a real impact, good and bad, on surrounding property values.
Access to the beach, great views or a local park, can push property values higher. On the other hand, homes bordering a 6-lan highway or nearby industrial estate can offer bargain buying – as long as you are prepared to live with whatever is keeping the price lower.
And then there may be not-so-obvious factors such as flood zones or upcoming changes to council zoning, so it is worth doing your research. After all, there is a lot you can do to renovate a home, but you can’t change the location.
Seizing opportunities
Pricing differences within suburbs can offer opportunities to save. A single street can be all that separates an expensive home from its more affordable neighbour. Buying in the cheaper neighbourhood lets you enjoy all the amenities of the more expensive postcode, without the higher price tag.
It is also worth keeping tabs on any planned local developments that could have the potential to transform today’s ugly duckling pocket into tomorrow’s upmarket enclave.
Thinking of buying? Call us to understand your borrowing power – it will help let you know where you can afford to buy.
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Zippy Financial is an award-winning mortgage brokerage specialising in home loans, property investment, commercial lending, and vehicle & asset finance. Whether you are looking to buy your first home, refinance or build your property investment portfolio, the team at Zippy Financial can help find and secure the right loan for you and your business.
About the Author:
Louisa Sanghera is an award-winning mortgage broker and Director at Zippy Financial. Louisa founded Zippy Financial with the goal of helping clients grow their wealth through smart property and business financing. Louisa utilises her expert financial knowledge, vision for exceptional customer service and passion for property to help her clients achieve their lifestyle and financial goals. Louisa is an experienced speaker, financial commentator, mortgage broker industry representative and small business advocate.
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Louisa Sanghera is a Credit Representative (437236) of Mortgage Specialists Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Licence No. 387025).
Disclaimer: This article contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This article is not to be used in place of professional advice, whether business, health or financial.
