Despite cooling property market conditions through 2022, new data shows that compared to the first three months of the year, first home buyer activity has spiked in a number of metropolitan and regional areas in the June quarter. 

In the ACT, suburbs Ainslie and Watson (postcode 2602) were the in-demand hotspots for first home buyers, increasing by 360% compared to the previous quarter. 

In Sydney, beachside suburb Maroubra topped the ladder increasing by 269%, with postcode 2142, which includes Granville, coming in a close second with a 264% increase.

Meanwhile, Melbourne and Brisbane suburbs Dandenong and Fortitude Valley recorded modest increases compared to last quarter with 80% and 78% respectively. 

Rather than turn to south-east Queensland where there has been a recent price boom, first home buyers have opted to buy in Bundaberg (85%) and Mackay (42%), NAB data shows.

Great value and location are two of the driving forces behind first home buyer hotspots. 

Popular suburbs for first home buyers

State Postcode and Suburb

New South Wales
  • 2035 - includng Maroubra (269%)
  • 2142 - including Granville (264%)
  • 2767 - including Bungarribee (137%)
  • 2765 - including Melonba (124%)
  • 2763 - including Quakers Hill (56%)
  • 2113 - including North Rhyde (47%)
  • 2145 - including Wenthworthville (34%)
  • 2530 - including Dapto (79%)
  • 2800 - including Orange (40%)
Victoria
  • 3175 - including Dandenong (80%)
  • 3121 - including Richmond (66%)
  • 3802 - including Endeavour Hills (45%)
  • 3978 - including Clyde North (16%)
  • 3199 - including Frankston (12%)
  • 3216 - including Belmont (69%)
  • 3429 - including Sunbury (36%)
Queensland
  • 4006 - Fortitude Valley (78%)
  • 4207 - including Beenleigh (34%)
  • 4509 - including North Lakes (23%)
  • 4503 - including Kallangur (18%)
  • 4670 - including Bundaberg (85%)
  • 4740 - including East Mackay (42%)
  • 4211 - including Beechmont (16%)
  • 4350 - including Toowoomba (12%)
Western Australia
  • 6018 - including Karrinyup (41%)
  • 6107 - including Queens Park (37%)
  • 6055 - including Brabham (31%)
  • 6065 - including Wanneroo (19%)
  • 6230 - including Bunbury (125%)
South Australia
  • 5114 - including Blakeview (90%)
ACT
  • 2602 - including Ainslie (360%)
  • 2620 - including Queanbeyan (42%)
  • 2611 - including Weston (26%)

Source: NAB

According to NAB executive home ownership Andy Kerr, hybrid working is another trend changing the game for property sales. 

"The option to work from home is giving first home buyers more choice when it comes to location. All of a sudden, a slightly longer commute when made a few times a week becomes a serious consideration," Mr Kerr said.

"The outer metro suburbs like Dandenong and Frankston in Victoria and Granville in Western Sydney continue to perform well.

"Suburbs like Richmond in inner-city Melbourne, Maroubra in Sydney or Fortitude Valley in Brisbane show that the balance of work and lifestyle continues to trend, particularly with apartment living.

"With a combination of house prices declining and the recent release of the First Home Guarantee Scheme, there is renewed optimism for first home buyers."

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Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

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