What a median-price budget will buy in Australia’s capital cities
The Turnbull government is expected to kill off a proposal to allow first home buyers to use super to buy a home. Photo: AAP
Across Australia, median house prices in the state and territory capital cities range from a high of $878,325 in Sydney to just under half that ($423,468) in Hobart.
Real estate markets have come off the boil in most of Australia’s capital cities in recent months, following a red-hot 2017. The exceptions are Hobart (still our cheapest capital city but maybe not for much longer if its record growth continues), Brisbane and Darwin.
To state the obvious, the median price is the middle of a range from highest to lowest. So what does that buy in each of our capital cities? Here’s a selection of some of the best on the market.
Sydney
Median price, March 2018: $878,325
You won’t be looking close to the CBD if you want a house around this price. But head further west or south-west and there are choices within greater Sydney.
14 Huntingdale Avenue, Lansvale
4 beds, 2 baths, 2 cars
$900,000-$950,000
This well-presented four-bedder on 601 square metres has lots of room for your cars. It is close to the Liverpool and Cabramatta CBDs as well as Chipping Norton Lake. Sydney CBD is 28 kilometres away.
3b Dorothy Street, Wentworthville
4 beds, 3 baths, 2 cars
$900,000-$950,000
This townhouse is close to Wentworthville and Pendle Hill train stations. It is slick and modern and has reverse-cycle air-conditioning throughout. It’s 27 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD.
Melbourne
Median price, March 2018: $720,881
5/9-11 Sutton Avenue, Altona North
3 beds, 2 baths, 2 cars
$740,000-$765,000
Handy to schools, transport and a vibrant local shopping centre, this townhouse has prime spot opposite a small park. Inside, it is bright and contemporary, with polished floorboards and a swish kitchen. The bedrooms (including the main with walk-in wardrobe and en suite) are upstairs.
8 Goldborough Court, Frankston South
4 beds, 2 baths, 2 cars
$735,000-$785,000
This pleasant family home is on 736 square metres. It has a renovated kitchen, indoor and outdoor entertainment areas, and a well-zoned floor plan. Take the train from Frankston to Melbourne’s CBD, 55 kilometres north.
Brisbane
Median price, March 2018: $491,806
195 Plantain Road, Shailer Park
5 beds, 2 baths, 2 cars
$499,000
Shailer Park, in the Logan City, area is 27 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD and is a bustling retail, employment and leisure area.
This house has a saltwater pool and is walking distance to the Logan Hyperdome shopping centre.
3 beds, 1 bath, 1 car
Offers over $489,000
Only seven kilometres south of Brisbane’s CBD, this art deco rarity has many of its original features, including striking windows. It also has updated amenities, polished floors and lots of storage beneath.
Adelaide
Median price, March 2018: $434,629
22 Northbri Avenue, Salisbury East
4 beds, 2 baths, 6 cars
$450,000
About 20 kilometres north of Adelaide’s CBD, this family home was built in the mid-1960s but has been updated with an eye on entertainment.
Among other features, there’s a barbecue pavilion with hot and cold water, a dry cellar and automatic driveway gates.
Perth
Median price, March 2018: $464,736
220 Princess Road, Mount Helena
4 beds, 2 baths, 1 car
From $465,000
Mount Helena is 35 kilometres north-east of Perth’s CBD. This house is on a leafy 2032-square-metre block. The property has sheds and the house has a big patio from which you can watch the kids play on the level backyard.
Hobart
Median price, March 2018: $424,468
2 beds, 1 bath, 1 car
$450,000 range
Only four kilometres north of Hobart’s CBD, this 1920s charmer is on a small block of 255 square metres. The two-bedroom house is comfortable throughout, with a courtyard at the rear. It has opposite a new shopping complex and close to transport.
2 beds, 1 bath
Offers over $399,000
The CBD and North Hobart’s restaurant strip are walking distance from this 1900 weatherboard. The house’s features include leadlight doors and windows, polished floors and a small courtyard on its 182-square-metre block.
Darwin
Median price, March 2018: $429,048
3 beds, 1 bath, 2 cars
$425,000
Gray is in Palmerston, 23 kilometres south-east of Darwin’s CBD. This well-presented house has air-conditioning and is close to schools, shops and transport.
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