Myself, wife and 2 year old toddler are looking for a first home PPOR: 15-25 minutes walk from metro or train. Good primary schools nearby. 1 hour commute to macquarie park or 1 hour train to CBD. 45 minute drive to any suburb between Waverton and Killara - where my family, and all my extended family and cousins in Sydney live. Not a high crime area. Shopping centre a short drive away, with more than just Coles/Woolies (e.g. a Mecca Maxima or Sephora, says wife). Have a garden & don't feel squeezed at home. Budget: New = $750k, Established = $700k Situation Single income earner $180k per annum. $100k savings (= 10% deposit + rainy day fund) Plan to live in PPOR for 10 years. Currently renting a $500 3 bed townhouse near epping. Options: Find a ground floor unit with a garden, somewhere. Build a new home out in the north west, or off the plan townhouse. Lane Cove 2 bedder. (No garden & squeeze to fit) Any advice or suggestions highly appreciated. If I ask family they would recommend a unit in north shore every time - where I grew up - but we can't afford it, (stamp duty kills the deposit!). Save for another 2 years. I don't mind no capital gains for a while, as long as we're comfortable and the bank is happy (e.g. valuation). I know if my only concern is capital gains - I'd buy a townhouse in Merrylands or Granville - Parramatta CBD reminds me of Sydney CBD 20 years ago - Or move out to Brisbane away from family. (many "discussions" over this...). Thank you everyone!
My sister used to own at 209 Waterloo Rd Marsfield as her first home with her husband. It was a garden apartment, felt house-like, not an apartment due the garden. Only 1 neighbour above. If you could pick up a ground floor apartment here, it would be perfect. You don't really think there's all these other neighbours around, it really felt house-like. Its very green, and its really quiet. Perhaps letterbox drop all the ground floor apartments there. As to prices, i'm not entirely sure you can buy one for 700k. But its worth trying.
We just had a look around this area. Last week there was an auction for 2bed 2bath which sold for 868k. Not a particularly new townhouse either.
Can I say, townhouses from say 1970's are actually well built? Double brick, solid.... just internally renovate. Ok, for your budget and this area it would be hard. How about going North to Hornsby and surrounds? 21/10 Muriel Street, Hornsby, NSW 2077 https://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-nsw-hornsby-135240294 There's also this in Telopea, but I feel it doesn't tick the boxes for transport. A light rail is being put in, but it doesn't go where you want it to go. 6/10-14 Robert Street, Telopea, NSW 2117 https://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-nsw-telopea-135391114
