FHB townhouses/units in Brisbane

Discussion in 'Where to Buy' started by Abdrew, 21st Dec, 2020.

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  1. Abdrew

    Abdrew New Member

    Joined:
    21st Dec, 2020
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    Location:
    Brisbane
    Hello there,

    Just looking for some advice on looking for townhouses and units in Brisbane.

    I'm 26 years young, single, working full time on the south side around Mt Gravatt area, and been renting for 5 years, currently in an old house. I'm looking to buy because I figure I'll have the opportunity to save more in the long run, more independence, and don't have to constantly deal with the real estate. I think a townhouse or unit would suit me best to buy, but looking for advice given my preferences.

    My wishlist is quite large (and admittedly, possibly unrealistic). I currently ride my bike to work which is great because I combine my travel time with exercise, so living close to work on the southside is important to me. I'd like to be close to public transport in case I change jobs or working location. I'd also like to live somewhere quiet (definitely not on a busy or noisy road) and ideally close to parks and/or nature. I need at least some outdoor space, like a balcony or outdoor area where I can put a small table and chairs and some pot plants. A lock up garage is a must since I have bikes and tools to store. Realistically I'm looking around the $350-450k range since I'd like to be able to afford the place by myself and not be up to my eyeballs in debt. Being young, it would be nice to live somewhere where there are also other young people around. I currently in the suburbs which I find to be a little impersonal, especially as a single person.

    Any advice, suggestions or comments appreciated!
     
  2. Alissa

    Alissa Member

    Joined:
    19th Dec, 2016
    Posts:
    24
    Location:
    Brisbane
    Afternoon,

    I have looked at townhouses on southside (on and off this entire year), mostly Annerley, Yeronga, Greenslopes and some in Coorparoo. I haven't viewed any properties in Mt Gravatt, but they do come up in my search under "surrounding suburbs" so I'm aware they exist in your price point, probably the point end of it. There are some units that have a good amount of outdoor space, like a larger balcony or even a ground floor yard, but these are few and far between. I personally didn't like the idea of this - as I felt the neighbours above you in the units negated my desire for privacy.

    Earlier in the year I was looking at properties (mostly townhouses, some units) between 400-450k and I think what you're wanting is achievable in a unit/townhouse in a suburb in and around Mt Gravatt. Holland Park West/Holland Park is potentially where you might get some good value for your money, but unsure what the demographic age wise is.. and can't speak to what it's like from a socialising aspect. Stones Corner/Coorparoo has some nice parks and riding tacks that connect up to main rides through to the city and has a good vibe (IMO).

    Are you looking for suggestions of suburbs mainly?. Are you wanting a PPOR + Investment potential?. Your goal matters, as this will steer you in different directions. I started off wanting a unit or townhouse as a PPOR but I also wanted it to increase in value. As I started researching townhouses and units after viewing them, not all, but most townhouses and/or units didn't jump too much in value, although there were exceptions, and some even decreased quite significantly. I am now leaning towards a house a smidge further out , for potential of capital growth over the convenience of a unit/townhouse.

    My advice is to just start looking, even if you are not "ready" to put an offer in. It's a good exercise to get a feel for an area/streets in particular areas.
    It can be a little soul crushing, if you find something you love and haven't got everything in order, but my window shopping has certainly helped me in narrowing down what I want and where.

    I think I'm just ranting now - if you've got any specific questions, happy to try and help.
     
  3. Abdrew

    Abdrew New Member

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    21st Dec, 2020
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    Hi Alissa,

    I haven't considered Annerley or Yeronga before, food for thought. Annerley does seem very well situated since it's near the GC train line, busway, motorway and Ipswich Road. I haven't spent a whole lot of time around there but from what I've heard a lot of young people live there. I lived in Greenslopes in a share house a few years ago and liked the area. I also briefly lived in a unit in Greenslopes but it was too close to Logan Road so I got all of the noisy buses driving past, which drove me nuts.

    Regarding potential for investment, I am very much on the fence since I'm still very young, but the flexibility to buy a place that also has good investment potential would be good. I'm generally wary of new builds because of depreciation within the first few years. A place that has good rental yield would probably be more realistic for a unit or townhouse rather than capital gain, I assume?

    I had a look around Wishart a few weeks ago but it didn't really have the "vibe" that I was looking for. I'll do some searching around those suburbs you suggested and see how that goes... thanks!
     
  4. Alissa

    Alissa Member

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    19th Dec, 2016
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    Location:
    Brisbane
    I live in Annerley, and I really like it for flexibility to get to places, right near Clem Jones to pop over northside, plenty of bus stops and the train line at Dutton park or down at stones corner to get through to the city and likewise easy access to anywhere on the south side. I think east side of Annerley is generally considered better than west, there's plenty of quiet pockets on the east side. In saying that a townhouse would be at the top end of your budget in Annerley.

    Yeah, I think vacancy rates are always pretty low, around 2-2.5%

    I really like Yeronga as a suburb, really nice and green, and generally well kept area, has some good vibes and a few cool cafes, and lots of greenspace, just have to watch the flood prone zones.. I looked at a recent unit development in Yeronga, was lovely, but I too am steering clear as tempting as it is to get a nice shiny new place.
     
  5. nth brisbanite

    nth brisbanite Well-Known Member

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    22nd Jun, 2015
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    Location:
    North Brisbane
    I'm a northsider so am not familiar with the areas that you are considering. I'd much prefer a townhouse over a unit because there is generally a higher land component which will in most cases lead to higher capital growth. With units there can be issues with body corporate - some of them work really well but with others, they can end up in world war 3. Not sure whether I'd like to be so close to neighbours either. All you need is one feral and it can make life miserable.

    Location is so important. Look for something in a quiet areas, as close to the CBD as possible, close to good public transport (in case you ever have to use it), shopping and good schools even if you aren't thinking of starting a family. There have been threads about the effect on house prices of being in a catchment area for high demand schools.

    I don't mind any of the suburbs mentioned: Mt Gravatt. Holland Park West/Holland Park, Yeronga and Annerley. Even though I'm not familiar with these suburbs, I do know that they are all fairly close to the CBD. I did like the feel of Yeronga when I worked there but can't tell you much about the suburb.
     
  6. gman65

    gman65 Well-Known Member

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    Please don't buy a townhouse, and keep saving until you can buy a house in the inner suburbs, even if it is very basic... I am only in the investment area because I chose not to buy a townhouse many years ago, and the capital growth in my first house allowed me to buy more. People I know who bought townhouses at the same time as me are sitting on pretty much what they paid 10 years ago.

    My first house wasn't pretty at first, but over 10 years I was able to fix/enhance a few things, learning as I went, and has been rented nearly continuously since I moved out as it was somewhere I liked to live when I left. Even at the lower end of the market it has done well without spending mega $.
     
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