If you were to ask people in Sydney or Melbourne whether it was possible to secure a house - not just an apartment, but a house - within 10 kilometres of the CBD for under $500,000, you'd likely be met with mirth.
Purchasing any property in Sydney or Melbourne for under $500,000 is challenging, let alone finding a property for that price just a few kilometres away from the city. It's this point of difference that keeps the dream of home ownership alive for many more people in Western Australia than it does in other parts of the country.
For instance, unlike the major markets on the east coast, you don't need to move miles away from the city to be able to get onto the property ladder. There are numerous suburbs within 10 kilometres of the city that offer fantastic value to savvy buyers and investors.
Perth's 10 cheapest suburbs within 10 kilometres of the CBD
A recent report by reiwa.com revealed Perth's 10 cheapest suburbs within 10 kilometres of the city. Nollamara, located 10 kilometres north of the CBD, took out first spot with a median house price of $410,000 for the year to June 2017. This is extraordinarily good value, and doesn't even factor the suburb's lower quartile price, which sits at $375,000.
Other suburbs to make the list were Cloverdale, Belmont, Redcliffe, Bentley, Embleton, Osborne Park, Kewdale, Morley and Carlisle. And of these 10 suburbs, seven were located east of the city.
The eastern corridor of Perth's inner city is a growing area that presents particularly good value. With the Perth Stadium and surrounding infrastructure nearing completion, the opportunity is certainly there for savvy buyers and investors to purchase in a fast growing area at a relatively affordable price.
Get in quick!
We are very lucky here in Perth that there are still great bargains to be had in and around the CBD, but as WA's population inevitably grows, it is unlikely inner city living will remain this attainable. By 2050, the state's population is expected to have almost doubled, and as we've seen in most major cities around the world, as population density increases so too does the cost of real estate.
The Perth property market currently favours buyers, but property markets are cyclical and conditions will change. With signs emerging that we may have finally found, or be close to finding, the 'floor' of our local housing market, I would advise buyers to act sooner rather than later if you're wanting to secure an affordable house close to the city.
Speak to a local REIWA agent in your area to discuss the options available to you.