Sydney's Next $2 Million Suburbs

Sydney housing prices have ascended more than 20% in the past year with the median house price climbing past $1 million the next mark on the horizon will be the $ 2 million median house price mark.

Founder of Buyer’s Domain, Nick Viner, thinks there are a number of suburbs across Greater Sydney that will soon cross the $2 million threshold.

Leichhardt is Mr Viner’s top pick, with a current median house price of $1.76 million.

“Leichhardt is the very definition of a ‘bridesmaid’ suburb,” said Mr Viner.

“Its neighbouring suburbs comprise $2 million-plus locations such as Annandale, Lilyfield and Haberfield.”

With its position just 5km from Sydney’s CBD, and a multitude of transport options, it’s a good choice according to Mr Viner.

Alexandria is second on the list, currently with a median house price of $1.875 million. The affluent and desirable inner-east suburb is nearby to Sydney best lifestyle suburbs, cafes, restaurants retail and close to the CBD.

Mr Viner says the key to Alexandria is knowing the location.

“The key to making the most gains here is buying in one of the suburb’s best streets.

“That’s either in the ‘golden triangle’, as it’s known or on Lawrence St or Belmont St.

“You might have to pay a bit more for these locations.”

Rosebery is close to some of the most high profile suburbs in Sydney and could benefit from the proximity. With a current median house price of $1.845 mullion, Mr Viner said it’s posted to enjoy strong capital growth in the coming months and years.

“Like Alexandria, this suburb is on the edge of the inner-east suburbs, so it is extraordinarily well placed to enjoy strong capital growth in the coming months and years,” he said.

“The challenge for the budget-conscious buyer here is finding stock – it’s an incredibly tight market with many houses well over $2 million already,” added Mr Viner.

Summer Hill and Newtown — median house prices of $1.952 and $1.68 million respectively — are the final two inner west suburbs that Mr Viner tips to break $2 million median house pirce soon.

With Summer Hill, Mr Viner said the nature of the suburbs made it appealing.

“Summer Hill has a wonderful village feel with a strong community vibe,” he said.

“It has great local shopping and other facilities, and the train can get you to the CBD in about 20 minutes.”

While Newtown’s proximity to the CBD and Sydney University made it an attractive location.

Requiring more than 30 percent of household income to service a home loan has long been considered the benchmark for ‘housing stress’. Yet research shows it is becoming the new normal. The 2024 ANZ CoreLogic Housing Affordability Report reveals home loans on only 17 percent of homes are ‘serviceable’ if serviceability is limited to 30 percent of the median national household income.

Based on 40 percent of household income, just 37 percent of properties would be serviceable on a mortgage covering 80 percent of the purchase price. ANZ CoreLogic suggest 40 may be the new 30 when it comes to home loan serviceability. “Looking ahead, there is little prospect for the mortgage serviceability indicator to move back into the 30 percent range any time soon,” says the report.

“This is because the cash rate is not expected to be cut until late 2024, and home values have continued to rise, even amid relatively high interest rate settings.” ANZ CoreLogic estimate that home loan rates would have to fall to about 4.7 percent to bring serviceability under 40 percent.

CoreLogic has broken down the actual household income required to service a home loan on a 6.27 percent interest rate for an 80 percent loan based on current median house and unit values in each capital city. As expected, affordability is worst in the most expensive property market, Sydney.

Sydney

Sydney’s median house price is $1,414,229 and the median unit price is $839,344.

Based on 40 percent serviceability, households need a total income of $211,456 to afford a home loan for a house and $125,499 for a unit. The city’s actual median household income is $120,554.

Melbourne

Melbourne’s median house price is $935,049 and the median apartment price is $612,906.

Based on 40 percent serviceability, households need a total income of $139,809 to afford a home loan for a house and $91,642 for a unit. The city’s actual median household income is $110,324.

Brisbane

Brisbane’s median house price is $909,988 and the median unit price is $587,793.

Based on 40 percent serviceability, households need a total income of $136,062 to afford a home loan for a house and $87,887 for a unit. The city’s actual median household income is $107,243.

Adelaide

Adelaide’s median house price is $785,971 and the median apartment price is $504,799.

Based on 40 percent serviceability, households need a total income of $117,519 to afford a home loan for a house and $75,478 for a unit. The city’s actual median household income is $89,806.

Perth

Perth’s median house price is $735,276 and the median unit price is $495,360.

Based on 40 percent serviceability, households need a total income of $109,939 to afford a home loan for a house and $74,066 for a unit. The city’s actual median household income is $108,057.

Hobart

Hobart’s median house price is $692,951 and the median apartment price is $522,258.

Based on 40 percent serviceability, households need a total income of $103,610 to afford a home loan for a house and $78,088 for a unit. The city’s actual median household income is $89,515.

Darwin

Darwin’s median house price is $573,498 and the median unit price is $367,716.

Based on 40 percent serviceability, households need a total income of $85,750 to afford a home loan for a house and $54,981 for a unit. The city’s actual median household income is $126,193.

Canberra

Canberra’s median house price is $964,136 and the median apartment price is $585,057.

Based on 40 percent serviceability, households need a total income of $144,158 to afford a home loan for a house and $87,478 for a unit. The city’s actual median household income is $137,760.

Sydney’s Next $2 Million Suburbs

With NSW capital has eclipsed the $1 million median house price and has a new target.

New research suggests spending 40 percent of household income on loan repayments is the new normal