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ResidentialDinah Lewis BoucherWed 23 Sep 20

Up to Six Years to Save 20pc House Deposit

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First-home buyers in Sydney and Melbourne will need to save for up to six-and-a-half years for a deposit to purchase an entry-level house, according to a new report from Domain.

But softening housing markets in recent months could help to support affordability with first home buyers most likely to benefit from price declines, Senior Research Analyst Dr Nicola Powell says.

“Although the majority of capital cities saw the journey to homeownership become a little longer compared to the same time last year, in recent months weakening prices will eventually translate to improved affordability,” Powell said.

Domain’s First Home Buyers Report shows the amount of time required to save a 20 per cent deposit for an entry-level house and unit for a couple aged between 25-to-34 years old on an average income in each capital city.

Entry prices are based on the lower 25th price percentile of the housing market.

Related: Millennials Eye Softer Housing Market

Greater Sydney has an entry-level house price of $680,000. It takes six and a half years for a couple on average Sydney incomes to save a 20 per cent deposit, Domain has found.

“While first-home buyers have traditionally sought further-afield seeking value for money, the current health crisis could accelerate this trend as working from home becomes the new norm,” Powell says.

As such, the report notes that it’s fastest to save for a house in the Central Coast, Outer South West, Blue Mountains, Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury.

Those desiring to be closer to the city will find prices have improved for entry-level units in Auburn, Parramatta, Merrylands-Guildford and Canterbury.

Time to save 20pc entry-level house deposit for a couple aged 25-34 years old

CityEntry priceTime to saveAnnual % changeTime to save a 5pc deposit
Sydney$680,0006 years 6mnths2.6%1 year 7mnths
Melbourne$600,0006 years2.9%1 year 6mnths
Brisbane$450,0004 years 6mnths1.9%1 year 1mnth
Adelaide$375,0003 years 11mnths0%11 months
Perth$366,5803 years 5 mnths-2.4%10 months
Hobart$380,0004 years 2mnths6.4%1 year
Darwin$362,0003 years 1mnth-2.6%9 months
Canberra$606,0605 years 5mnths6.6%1 year 4mnths

^ The amount of time required to save a 20 per cent deposit is calculated by comparing salary earnings with entry-level house and unit prices, Domain.

In Melbourne, Powell says an entry-level unit will take four years and three months to save a deposit for, and six years for an entry-level house deposit.

Powell says Melbourne’s growth corridors are key areas of affordability, and include areas such as Melton-Bacchus Marsh and Wyndham, or Sunbury for entry-level houses.

For entry-level units, areas include Tullamarine-Broadmeadows, Wyndham, Melbourne City and Manningham-West.

Brisbane timeframes include four-and-a-half years to save for an entry-level house deposit and just over three years to save for a unit.

“Cleveland-Stradbroke, Bald Hills-Everton Park and Kenmore-Brookfield-Moggill had a reduction in the time taken to save an entry-level house deposit, bucking the overall trend for Greater Brisbane,” Powell notes.

“Those vying for the quickest hop on the property ladder will need to look towards Ipswich, Moreton Bay and Logan-Beaudesert region for the quickest saving times.”

Time to save 20pc entry-level unit deposit for a couple aged 25-34 years old

CityEntry-level unit priceTime to saveAnnual change %Time to save 5% deposit
Sydney$585,0005 years 7mnths1.5%1 year 4mnths
Melbourne$424,5004 years 3mnths2%1 year
Brisbane$328,0003 years 3mnths-4.9%9 months
Adelaide$285,0003 years0%9 months
Perth$257,0002 years 5mnths-3.3%7 months
Hobart$320,0003 years 6mnths2.4%10 months
Darwin$200,0001 year 8mnths-9.1%5 months
Canberra$370,0003 years 4mnths0%10 months

^ Based on average income for a couple in each capital city using ABS figures. Incomes are based on the average employee earnings in each Greater Capital City.

The path to purchase in Perth is now 6 months quicker compared to 2015, as wage growth outperforms house price growth, the report notes.

“Outer suburban areas offer the quickest hop onto the property ladder with houses in Kwinana, Armadale and Gosnells,” Powell said.

Buyers in Perth and Darwin have a shorter time span to save for a home deposit, with the average time taking less than three and a half years.


ResidentialAustraliaBrisbaneMelbournedo not useReal EstateSector
AUTHOR
Dinah Lewis Boucher
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Article originally posted at: https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/six-years-to-save-20pc-house-deposit