Investors, buyers target these bargain areas,
According to recent data from PropTrack, specific suburbs have become hotspots due to a high volume of enquiries.
In September, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed a 30% increase in new home loan commitments to investors.
This surge is compared to the same period last year, indicating strong investor confidence in the market.
Meanwhile, first-home buyers also showed increased interest, with a 2% rise in new home loan commitments.
This suggests that both groups believe now is an opportune time to enter the property market.
One common feature of high-demand suburbs for first-home buyers is affordability, which remains a key factor.
Notably, none of the top suburbs for enquiries on houses and units have a median price over one million dollars.
However, demand varies significantly based on whether buyers are looking for houses or units in these areas.
Thus, preferences differ, highlighting the importance of location and property type in shaping current market trends.
Top areas for first-home buyers
For example, Tarneit is the top suburb for first-home buyers seeking houses, located 30 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD.
To secure more affordable homes, buyers must venture to the outer suburbs, where prices are relatively lower.
In Tarneit, the median house price is $650,000, which offers a significant contrast to inner Melbourne suburbs.
In these inner suburbs, the median price for a modest two-bedroom house often exceeds one million dollars.
As a result, outer suburbs like Tarneit have become especially appealing to first-home buyers looking for value.
Top suburbs for first-home buyers seeking houses
| Rank | Suburb | Region | Median sale price |
| 1 | Tarneit VIC 3029 | Greater Melbourne | $650,000 |
| 2 | Greenbank QLD 4124 | Greater Brisbane | $837,450 |
| 3 | Point Cook VIC 3030 | Greater Melbourne | $750,500 |
| 4 | Marsden Park NSW 2765 | Greater Sydney | $985,000 |
| 5 | Truganina VIC 3029 | Greater Melbourne | $645,000 |
| 6 | Werribee VIC 3030 | Greater Melbourne | $616,000 |
| 7 | Pimpama QLD 4209 | Rest of Qld | $785,000 |
| 8 | Redbank Plains QLD 4301 | Greater Brisbane | $633,000 |
| 9 | Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 | Greater Melbourne | $620,000 |
| 10 | Clyde North VIC 3978 | Greater Melbourne | $725,500 |
Other Melbourne suburbs popular with first-home buyers include Point Cook, Truganina, Werribee, and Hoppers Crossing.
These suburbs are similar in distance from the city and also have comparable median house prices.
In Queensland, Greenbank, located in the outer suburbs of Brisbane, also ranks high on the list of popular areas.
The median house price in Greenbank is $837,000, which is more expensive than the top Melbourne suburbs.
However, it remains cheaper than properties in Brisbane’s inner suburbs, offering better value for first-home buyers.
Sydney has only one suburb in the top ten list: Marsden Park, located 50 kilometres northwest of Sydney’s CBD.
With a median house price of $985,000, Marsden Park is still relatively affordable for first-home buyers in Sydney.
In Sydney, affordable housing options are limited, making Marsden Park a more attractive choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Eighty percent of the top suburbs for first-home buyers seeking units are located in Sydney.
Parramatta leads the list, highlighting its strong demand among buyers looking for unit properties.
Top suburbs for first-home buyers seeking units
| Rank | Suburb | Region | Median sale price |
| 1 | Parramatta NSW 2150 | Greater Sydney | $625,000 |
| 2 | Melbourne VIC 3000 | Greater Melbourne | $580,000 |
| 3 | Ryde NSW 2112 | Greater Sydney | $728,000 |
| 4 | Campsie NSW 2194 | Greater Sydney | $650,000 |
| 5 | Epping NSW 2121 | Greater Sydney | $800,000 |
| 6 | Merrylands NSW 2160 | Greater Sydney | $485,000 |
| 7 | Granville NSW 2142 | Greater Sydney | $540,900 |
| 8 | Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 | Greater Sydney | $869,000 |
| 9 | Southbank VIC 3006 | Greater Melbourne | $603,000 |
| 10 | Schofields NSW 2762 | Greater Sydney | $600,000 |
For many buyers in Sydney, purchasing a unit is the more viable option due to its lower deposit requirement.
It also fits within government incentive limits, which often exclude house purchases because of their higher price points.
Other popular Sydney suburbs for first-home buyers seeking units include Ryde, Campsie, and Epping.
In Melbourne, Southbank and the Melbourne CBD attract similar interest from first-home buyers looking for unit properties.
These suburbs, located closer to the CBD, reflect a clear preference for proximity to city life.
Despite the smaller property sizes, buyers are willing to trade space for convenience and access to amenities.
Top areas for property investors
Investors are showing similar trends in their preferences.
With the exception of Blacktown, the most sought-after suburbs for house enquiries are priced under one million dollars.
These suburbs are primarily located in the outer city regions, offering more affordable options for investors.
On the other hand, investors looking for units tend to favour inner-city suburbs, including Sydney CBD.
In these areas, the median price exceeds the one million dollar mark, reflecting the higher demand for city-living properties.
Top suburbs for investors seeking houses
| Rank | Suburb | Region | Median sale price |
| 1 | Battery Hill QLD 4551 | Rest of Qld | $965,000 |
| 2 | Redbank Plains QLD 4301 | Greater Brisbane | $633,000 |
| 3 | Wollert VIC 3750 | Greater Melbourne | $683,000 |
| 4 | Craigieburn VIC 3064 | Greater Melbourne | $640,000 |
| 5 | Werribee VIC 3030 | Greater Melbourne | $616,000 |
| 6 | Pimpama QLD 4209 | Rest of Qld | $785,000 |
| 7 | Tarneit VIC 3029 | Greater Melbourne | $650,000 |
| 8 | Greenbank QLD 4124 | Greater Brisbane | $837,450 |
| 9 | Blacktown NSW 2148 | Greater Sydney | $1,005,000 |
| 10 | Point Cook VIC 3030 | Greater Melbourne | $750,500 |
Battery Hill on the Sunshine Coast leads in demand for houses, with a median price of $965,000.
Similarly, Tarneit in VIC, Greenbank in QLD, and Point Cook in VIC are also highly sought after.
These suburbs are popular with both investors and first-home buyers, highlighting their status as affordable hotspots in Melbourne and Sydney.
Top suburbs for investors seeking units
| Rank | Suburb | Region | Median sale price |
| 1 | Melbourne VIC 3000 | Greater Melbourne | $580,000 |
| 2 | Surfers Paradise QLD 4217 | Rest of Qld | $720,000 |
| 3 | Brisbane City QLD 4000 | Greater Brisbane | $596,000 |
| 4 | Parramatta NSW 2150 | Greater Sydney | $625,000 |
| 5 | Southbank VIC 3006 | Greater Melbourne | $603,000 |
| 6 | Wollongong NSW 2500 | Rest of NSW | $705,000 |
| 7 | Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 | Greater Brisbane | $502,500 |
| 8 | Sydney NSW 2000 | Greater Sydney | $1,052,500 |
| 9 | Adelaide SA 5000 | Greater Adelaide | $508,000 |
| 10 | Carlton VIC 3053 | Greater Melbourne | $410,000 |
Melbourne CBD and Parramatta in NSW are also experiencing strong demand from investors.
Affordability remains a key concern for both investors and first-home buyers.
Those looking for houses are often willing to venture farther from the city, where land prices are more affordable.
On the other hand, buyers seeking proximity to the lively inner city, as well as investors looking for low-maintenance properties, prefer suburbs closer to the CBD.
Overall, the property market is revealing clear trends driven by both affordability and location, influencing where first-home buyers and investors are most active this spring.
