Hottest Suburbs for First-Home Buyers in each Major City

Experts have revealed the hottest suburbs for first-home buyers in each major capital city where a high level of amenity is on offer for prices that won’t break the bank.

The inaugural realestate.com.au Hot 100 identified the locations around Australia with the best prospects in 2023 and beyond, based on the insights of industry professionals.

Among them were a number of areas perfectly suited for those taking their first step on the property ladder.

These are some of the top picks for first-time buyers, where prices remain relatively affordable but the lifestyle on offer is rich.

Sydney’s hottest first-home buyer suburbs

Arncliffe

11km south of the CBD and on the fringe of the popular inner-west region is rapidly transforming Arncliffe.

Sam Abbas from Stone Real Estate said the suburb ticks a lot of boxes for a variety of buyers, particularly those purchasing for the first time.

“There is a good variety of character homes, apartments, and modern and new builds,” Mr Abbas said.

“The lifestyle of having nightlife, restaurants, and beaches within a 10-minute drive is very desirable. But it’s a neighbourhood where plenty of families live, which is a real magnet for buyers with children.”

Arncliffe is well-served by public transport and main roads that offer easy access to the CBD, airport, inner-west and Sutherland Shire, he said.

And there’s a flurry of developments that will see gentrification continue, lifting the whole suburb’s appeal.

“The development of Arncliffe Central by Billbergia will create an urban lifestyle providing employment opportunities, accommodation, and lifestyle for the local area with proposed restaurants, bars and cafes,” he said.

But the real drawcard in recent years has been the relatively affordable property prices.

“There is better value in comparison to other areas within the same proximity to the CBD and beaches. You can purchase a bigger parcel of land with a larger floorplan for better value.”

The median house price is $1.4 million but the median unit price is an enticing $708,000.

This modern two-bedroom unit with a courtyard and private entry, located at 7 Hirst Street, was snapped up for $747,500 in December.

A near-new unit with three bedrooms in a high-end complex at 5 BIdjigal Street sold for $875,000 last month.

Buyer’s agent Michelle May from Michelle May Buyers Agents picked Arncliffe as a Hot 100 suburb for its excellent location and gentrification.

Quakers Hill

Located about 40km northwest of the Sydney CBD is the family-friendly enclave of Quakers Hill in the popular Hills District.

First-home buyers are flocking to this part of the city, lured by the relatively affordable price tags and the chance to get more bang for their buck, local agent Josh Tesolin from Ray White said.

“You get great blocks of land, an average size of 550sqm, in a great part of the Hills, where homes are affordable,” Mr Tesolin said.

“It has two of the city’s best public schools, a train that’s two stops from Blacktown and connects to the city, and a range of properties on offer.”

The median house price is currently $1.04 million but there are opportunities for well below that.

A tidy three-bedroom brick house on a 558sqm block, located at 3 Dubbo Street, sold in December for $860,500.

The median unit price is $759,500 but the area is home predominantly to townhouses and villas, meaning buyers get a lot for their money.

A four-bedroom townhouse at 25 Tree Top Circuit is currently on the market with a price range of $760,000 to $790,000.

“With new stamp duty incentives in New South Wales, first-time buyers can now spend more than last year,” Mr Tesolin said.

Ray White managing director Dan White picked Quakers Hill as a Hot 100 suburb for its affordability, family appeal, and project population growth.

Melbourne’s hottest first-home buyer suburb

Reservoir

Few suburbs in the Victorian capital offer the amount of space, proximity to services, and affordability that buyers will find in Reservoir.

Local agent Ian Dempsey from Ray White said the increasingly popular pocket in Melbourne’s north has plenty going for it.

“The people make this suburb tick,” Mr Dempsey said.

“Reservoir is so diverse and multicultural. Living and working in Darebin myself, I see how the community is open to absolutely everyone.

“There’s an array of food choices and these are usually in the most unlikely spots, the locals are well attuned as to where to find them.

“On top of that, proximity to the Ring Road, Eastlink, and the airport all combine to make access to any destination very easy.”

Reservoir is the largest suburb in metropolitan Melbourne, meaning there’s a wide variety of housing types on offer – and many different price points to cater to all buyers.

The median house price is $915,500 and the median unit price is $618,000.

Recent sales have given an insight into what buyers get for that money, like this solid brick three-bedroom fixer-upper at 48 McMahon Road that was snapped up for just $800,000 last month.

The property sits on a 717sqm block and is across the street from popular St Stephens Primary School.

Meanwhile, this brand-new townhouse at 35 Macartney Street, boasting modern appointments and three spacious bedrooms, sold for $715,000 last month.

A demographic shift is underway, with the ageing population selling up and offering their large family homes to first-home buyers, he said.

“A quick cosmetic renovation might be required at the lower end of this suburb market but the size of the homes in this area make up for it, given you’re paying more closer to the city for a smaller land component.”

Buyer’s agent Miriam Sandkuhler, chief executive of Property Mavens, picked Reservoir as a Hot 100 suburb due to its family appeal, amenity, and location.

Brisbane’s hottest first-home buyer suburbs

Goodna

Located a 30-minute drive from the Brisbane CBD is the increasingly popular suburb of Goodna, where locals enjoy a convenient location surrounded by a high degree of amenity.

Local agent John Karlecik from NGU Real Estate said potential purchasers get a lot for their money, making this a prime destination for first-home buyers.

The convenience of the location makes Goodna tick,” Mr Karlecik said.

“The train station is centrally located and within walking distance of most homes, making it extremely accessible. Redbank Plaza, the major shopping centre, offers great services including a cinema and other major outlet stores. And there are some outstanding schools.”

Numerous parks, a nearby golf club, and the Goodna boat ramp offer plenty of recreational options, he added.

“All of these combined with a very competitive price compared to nearby suburbs makes Goodna a stand-out from the crowd for first-home buyers.”

The median house price is currently $465,000 while the median unit price is just $277,500.

A recent sale that’s indicative of family homes on offer is 13 Falvey Crescent – a four-bedroom brick home with modern appointments that went for $480,000 in December.

Meanwhile, a three-bedroom, double-storey townhouse at 116 Albert Street was snapped up for just $327,000 in late November.

Buyer’s agent Kate Hill from Adviseable picked Goodna as a Hot 100 suburb for affordability and amenity.

Boondall

Located in the city’s north is the suburb of Boondall, which has been inundated with first-home buyers over the past year.

Angela Duncan from Ray White said the affordable price tags and the chance to get more bang for buck are the main drawcards of the well-located neighbourhood.

“It’s close enough to everything but far enough away from the traffic and noise,” Ms Duncan said.

“There’s good access to major shopping, there’s train and bus services, and Sandgate is minutes up the road.”

Block sizes tend to be quite generous, and most buyers are young first-timers or growing families who want a bit of a yard, she said.

“Boondall has a few different pockets for different styles of property. A $700,000 to $800,000 budget will get a comfortable, low-set brick four-bedroom house on 450sqm or a high-set weatherboard three-bedroom house with a deck and rumpus.”

The median house price is $812,500 and the median unit price is $507,500.

Demand remains strong and Ms Duncan expects stock levels to increase over the course of the year, giving buyers greater choice.

“We have returned to a more normal market, but our pricing outlook is consistent due to so many positive reasons to buy and live in Boondall.”

Buyer’s agent Pete Wargent, chief executive of BuyersBuyers, picked Boondall as a Hot 100 suburb for its exceptional affordability.

Canberra’s hottest first-home buyer suburb

Scullin

In the north-western suburbs of the nation’s capital, nestled within the Belconnen region, is the tight-knit community of Scullin.

George Vlandis from LJ Hooker said locals here are true advocates for their neighbourhood, banding together to form a community action group that runs social groups, street libraries and a host of activities.

“There is a connection and welcoming community spirit here and it’s growing,” Mr Vlandis said. “They are so well organised, it’s on another level. It’s something that I haven’t seen in any other suburb.”

Scullin boasts a high degree of convenience with revitalised local shops, a popular preschool and primary school, a plethora of parks, and handy road links.

“There is a young feel to the suburb,” Mr Vlandis said.

“The style of house that the suburb predominantly has is also popular with first-home buyers – an easy layout and whether in need of work or already renovated, buyers see the potential to make it their own.”

The median house price is $877,500 while the median unit price is $467,500.

“Buyer interest in the area has been strong for a long time and I think we will see that continue into 2023,” Mr Vlandis said.

Claire Corby from Capital Buyers Agency nominated Scullin as a Hot 100 suburb because of its location, gentrification, family appeal and relative affordability.

Adelaide’s hottest first-home buyer suburb

Christies Beach

The opportunity to enjoy an idyllic seaside lifestyle in a convenient location for a relatively affordability price makes Christies Beach a hot prospect for first-home buyers.

Peter Koulizos, program director of the Masters of Property at the University of Adelaide, said the suburb has plenty going for it.

“It’s one of the cheapest beachside suburbs in Adelaide,” Mr Koulizos said. “It’s also undergoing urban renewal that’s causing gentrification and improving amenity.”

Getting to the city is quick and easy via train, and Christies Beach is just 15 minutes to the McLaren Vale wine district, he said.

The median house price is currently $564,444 and the median unit price is $403,000.

This three-bedroom brick renovator’s delight with good bones at 20 Pearce Street went for $495,000 in December.

And a modern three-bedroom townhouse a block back from the beach at 11 Grundy Terrace was snapped up for $580,000 last month.

Mr Koulizos picked Christies Beach as a Hot 100 suburb for its great location, gentrification activity and affordability.

Perth’s hottest first-home buyer suburb

First-home buyers in Perth have plenty of options when it comes to finding an affordable suburb that’s desirable and has a high level of amenity, Ms Hill said.

Butler

She nominated Butler in the outer northern suburbs of the city, about 40km from the CBD, as one for first-timers to explore.

While it’s a fair trek out, it offers everything a buyer could want – relatively affordable homes on big blocks, decent connectivity, close proximity to the beach, and a range of services.

“It’s next door to the $1 billion Alkimos community project, which will improve amenities for the whole area,” Ms Hill said.

“Butler sits within the City of Wanneroo, which is the fastest-growing local government area in the state, with nine new activity centres planned across the region.”

That level of infrastructure investment will benefit locals, making it easier to get around, she said.

“It’s also an attractive seaside lifestyle with an affordable price tag.”