Domain has listed our very own Rockingham and Cooloongup as ‘bridesmaid suburbs’ – not always as popular as the bride, but should be considered if you’re looking for a coastal lifestyle and don’t have the million dollar North Coogee budget.
“Cooloongup, for example, currently has a median house price of $395,000, is just five minutes from the beach and has good-sized family homes on large blocks, often with room for a boat, trailer and jet skis.”
Lifestyle suburbs north of the river were the most searched suburbs in 2022 but with many of these popular suburbs also attracting a premium price, buyers are looking to more affordable nearby neighbourhoods.
REIWA chief executive Cath Hart said Wembley topped the list of the most-searched suburbs in Perth last year, but with a median price of $1.45 million, budget-conscious buyers looked at alternatives nearby, often dubbed “bridesmaid suburbs”, and even those slightly further afield.
“These searches may not always translate into sales, but they show demand for an area and the features that buyers find attractive, such as proximity to schools, the beach or river, entertainment and dining precincts, and transport,” she said.
“People may not go through with a purchase in those suburbs for various reasons including affordability or availability of properties, but their initial search often leads them to neighbouring areas where they can still enjoy those lifestyle benefits at a more affordable price point.”
Hart said many coastal suburbs featured in the top-10 list, with Scarborough, Floreat and Hillarys searched by tens of thousands of prospective buyers.
But they came with a hefty price tag and people could find more affordable properties close to the beach by going further afield.
“If a coastal lifestyle is at the top of your list, you could consider Rockingham and surrounding areas,” she said.
“Cooloongup, for example, currently has a median house price of $395,000, is just five minutes from the beach and has good-sized family homes on large blocks, often with room for a boat, trailer and jet skis.
“If Hillarys appeals but you can’t afford it, then take a step back from the coast and look at Duncraig or Padbury, or across the freeway to Kingsley and Greenwood, which are even more affordable.
“These suburbs also often have older homes on larger blocks that you can renovate or even demolish to build your forever home, while being minutes from coastal attractions.”
Perth property expert Trent Fleskens said there was a large segment of homebuyers willing to sacrifice proximity to the city for proximity to the ocean.
“There are so many factors that pull people between the coast and the city: work, transport nodes, and activity centres are all important factors,” he said.
“Whilst there are many local bridesmaid suburbs we tend to gravitate towards culturally, we expect it will be the alternate beachside suburb rather than the alternate inland suburb that performs stronger over the long term.”
And while suburbs in the hills did not feature among the top 10, Hart said buyers seeking a tree change could take the same approach.
“Darlington is a popular area, but if it’s not within your budget, you could consider Glen Forrest,” she said.
“It’s more affordable but minutes from the same desirable lifestyle features.
“Similarly, Kalamunda has a lower median house price than Gooseberry Hill.”
Here are some of Perth’s most in-demand suburbs, and where buyers are looking instead.
Popular suburb: Mount Lawley, median house price: $1.2m
Alternative: Bedford, median price: $800,000
Just four kilometres north-east of the leafy hotspot Mount Lawley, homebuyers could save more than $400,000 by purchasing a home in Bedford. Close to the city, this family-friendly suburb is full of older character homes.
Popular suburb: Hillarys, median price: $1.06m
Alternative: Padbury, median price: $675,000
Take a step back from the coast and you could purchase an older home on a larger block and still be close to the beach. Homebuyers could save $385,000 on the median price of a house in Padbury.
Popular suburb: North Coogee, median price: $1.44m
Alternative: Hamilton Hill, median price: $585,000
Located just four kilometres south of Fremantle, the beachside suburb of North Coogee has recorded one of the biggest growths in median house values across the Perth metropolitan area, jumping 52.4 per cent in one year.
The neighbouring suburb of Hamilton Hill is far more affordable and could save you a whopping $855,000 on the median house price.
Popular suburb: Scarborough, median price: $940,000
Alternative: Two Rocks, median price: $476,000
If you’re not willing to give up the great Australian dream of living next to the coast, an affordable alternative is Two Rocks. The median price of a house here is just $476,000.
Popular suburb: Winthrop, median price: $1.25m
Alternative: Bateman, median price: $900,000
With a 25.3 per cent surge in property prices in 2022, Winthrop was one of Perth’s most in-demand suburbs, with buyers attracted to its alluring trifecta of space, parks and schools. The adjoining suburb of Bateman also offers a family-friendly lifestyle with good schools, reserves and parks and access to the train line.
Popular suburb: Victoria Park, median price: $755,000
Alternative: Carlisle, median price: $600,000
Victoria Park has attracted buyers with its vibrant inner-city community, bustling cafe and retail strip and quirky local centres pushing up the median value of homes. But savvy buyers could save themselves $150,000 by purchasing a home in the neighbouring suburb of Carlisle which is just five minutes from the cafe strip.
Popular suburb: Darlington, median price: $789,000
Alternative: Boya, median price: $628,000
The pandemic has seen people flocking to the Hills in search of a tree change but that has also coincided with a rise in the median price of many popular suburbs. Earnshaws real estate agent Lindsay Earnshaw said those who could no longer afford Darlington were looking at properties in Glen Forrest, Boya and Mahogany Creek.
In fact that reminds us, we’re in the last weeks of our competition to win a JET SKI! Head to https://www.summitrealty.com.au/free-appraisal/ to find out about our $22k prize and book your free appraisal for your current property.
Source: Domain
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