Inside the Inner West property price boom  

Over the course of this year we have witnessed an extraordinary boom in house prices across Australia.  For existing home owners, this is good news as the asset beneath their feet has appreciated by as much as 16% in 12 months.   

But if you’re a first home buyer or looking to upgrade, it presents an enormous financial — and sometimes emotional or logistical — challenge. Many prospective buyers are having to alter their plans for suburb or dwelling size or consider taking on larger home loans to purchase their dream home.

We’ve consolidated data from eight indicator suburbs of the Inner West council area to obtain a clear picture of the change that is flowing through the market.  

Overall Trends in Sydney

Table 1 shows how house price movements in the Inner West compare with other key LGAs in the Sydney basin.  Like its peer regions in the inner ring, the Inner West maintains a relatively high median price and its capital growth is ranked eighth of all Sydney LGAs (CoreLogic Residex, 2021). 

Inner West Trends - Houses 

The median house price in many Inner West suburbs has increased by as much as 16% in the past 12 months, driven by low interest rates fuelling strong demand for a finite amount of housing stock in the area.  We are also seeing rental yields fall as relatively light demand for rental properties result in rents remaining stable or even falling. 

Lifestyle, convenience and tribal identification are key factors that influence interest in buying in the Inner West.  

Inner West Trends - Units  

Table 3 shows that prices for units have risen much more modestly than houses.  While demand remains strong, this has been matched by large unit developments in suburbs such as Summer Hill, Lewisham, Dulwich Hill and Canterbury.  The quality may not always be there but there has certainly been quantity.

The relatively modest price increases in units present a challenge for those looking to upgrade from an apartment to their first house.  The price gap is widening considerably and can only be bridged by increased borrowings or a move out of the area.  

Lessons for Home Buyers 

Prospective home buyers need to adapt to a fast-moving market.  Your way will depend upon your financial and social circumstances, but here are some things to consider: 

• Act quickly – this is not a time for procrastination.   

• Don’t panic – concurrently, do not be bullied by the market into making a sub-optimal decision. Property transaction costs are too high for wrong decisions that result in needing to move again after 1 or 2 years. 

• Try to sell and buy in the same market – this is the best way to deal with market price risk 

• Reconsider your plan and priorities – if the market is not delivering what you want at the price you can afford, look for value in lower cost nearby areas or even further away 

• Take a long-term view – transaction costs remain high so time in the market is preferable to trying to time the market. 

Keeping these tips in mind while considering your property options is key for making the right purchase decision, whether it be in the Inner West or another LGA.

References

Residex Marketfacts, 2021. Local Government Area Statistics Report: Suburban Sydney. CoreLogic.

Residex Marketfacts, 2021. Suburb Statistics Report: Ashfield, Croydon Park, Earlwood, Marrickville, Newtown, Petersham, Summer Hill, Tempe. CoreLogic.

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