First published 30/08/2012
- Distance from Perth CBD: 6km
- Population: 12,150
- Median Unit Price: $256,000
- 12-month growth: -7%
- Rental yield: 5.89%
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Bayswater is a well-established suburb directly east of the Perth CBD. Like much of the city, it was hit hard by the GFC and has shown 3-year growth of only -1%, according to RP Data figures. This was coming off a large base, having seen two successive years of growth exceeding 15% in 2005 and 36% in 2006.
This was not all together uncommon for Perth at the time, which was experiencing an unprecedented property boom. Having had flat prices since then, many property pundits believe Bayswater’s time has come and at number 15 in our list, investors would do well to keep an eye on this part of Perth.
Ben Kingsley, founding director of Empower Wealth believes that the Perth CBD is in the process of shaking off its “ghost town” weekend image and that areas such as Bayswater and its neighbour Ingelwood will be best in line to benefit from this.
“Perth [CBD] is going through a transformation that will see it become more like its sister cities on the East Coast,” he says. “As part of this transformation, younger professionals will be drawn to places [close] to future lifestyle attractions that the city and its inner suburbs will enjoy. We’ve seen it happen to places like Subiaco and Claremont, first, now it is the turn of the next level of suburbs like Bayswater and Inglewood.”
- Distance from Brisbane CBD: 10km
- Population: 7,025
- Median Price: $415,000
- 12-month growth: -6%
- Rental yield: 4.82%
- Market type: Houses
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With pundits saying Brisbane property looks poised to have a good year ahead; Keperra could be one of the best Queensland capital city locations for cheap, affordable housing that promises solid growth.
Perched just outside the inner city fringe, 10km north-west of the Brisbane CBD, Keperra provides its residents with the convenience of big city living, without many of its drawbacks. Much of the north-western part of the suburb is surrounded by a natural park, helping the suburb maintain a quiet, secluded feel. At the same time, good railway links into the city through Keperra and Grovely Stations ensure the heart of Brisbane is easily within reach.
Ray White-Keperra sales consultant Ian Weaving says Keperra appeals to two distinct groups: first homebuyers and investors. “It’s an investor favourite because some of the properties get great returns,” he says. “Over and above that, it’s an in-demand suburb because of its location. Public transport there is excellent.”
While on paper rental yields appear on the more modest side at 4.82%, Weaving says that Keperra shows its true potential when you venture into its older, more established parts. “A lot of the houses in the suburb are post-war three bed properties, so there are plenty of opportunities for renovating.”
- Distance from Sydney CBD: 17km
- Population: 5,000
- Median Price: $315,000
- 12-month growth: 5%
- Rental yield: 5.78%
- Market type: Units
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As investment destinations go, Regents Park is one of Sydney West’s best. Thanks to very strong demand for units in recent months, prices growth in the suburb looks poised to be on the start of a long climb. Auction clearance rates are currently at 100%, showing that buyers have become anxious to get into the suburb. This can only bode well for investors and is one of the reasons why Regents Park finds itself firmly within our top 20.
Nathan Birch, a professional investor and founder of B Invested, believes that the price of units in the suburb make them worth considering as investments. The median unit price is $315,000, but critically, this is a good $120,000 cheaper than units in neighbouring Lidcombe. Even western neighbour Sefton is approximately $35,000 more expensive.
“The units are cheap and they usually have good yields, so some properties in the area can be good investments,” he says. Birch also notes that the area has undergone something of a cultural shift that has seen a lot of new migrants move in. “The suburb is now a bit of a bubble, because new migrants like to come here where their relatives already are, and that is keeping it in demand,” he says.
- Distance from Brisbane: 647km
- Population: 11,575
- Median Price: $427,000 (Houses), $310,000 (Units)
- Capital growth (12 months): 11%
- Rental yield: 7.06%
- Market type: Houses and Units
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Located in central Queensland, 647km from Brisbane and around 260km due west from Rockhampton, Emerald is so named for its local gem fields. Coming in at number 12 in the 2012 list, it is now proving to be the next gem of a town to take off in the midst of Queensland’s mining boom.
Sam Saggers, CEO of Positive Real Estate, believes Emerald to be the pick of the mining towns that have yet to experience astronomical price growth.
“Unlike Dysart and Moranbah that have seen prices verge on the surreal, Emerald has remained relatively affordable,” Saggers says. “With huge mining projects, population pressures and the limited supply of new housing, Emerald looks like one of the best bets for mining-dominated market places in QLD today.”
11. TOOWOOMBA, QLD
- Distance from Brisbane: 107km
- Population: 140,000 [Toowoomba City – 2,280]
- Median Price: $275,000 (Houses), $180,000 (Units)
- Capital growth (12 months): -8%
- Rental yield: 5.01%
- Market type: Houses and Units
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Just missing out on a top 10 berth is Toowoomba, located 107km to Brisbane’s west. Toowomba looks set to experience growth on the back of Queensland’s resources surge in particular from the mining activities in the Surat Basin region. For this reason, Andrew Peterson, research analyst at thenexthotspot.com.au, believes growth prospects in the area are very good.
Bruce Gatfield, from Raine and Horne Toowoomba is optimistic that the wheels of growth are already in motion for the city. “We’re just seeing the early stages of the mining influence,” says Gatfield. “People are just starting to come here to live while they work out in the mines. We haven’t been inundated yet, so the market is still pretty flat, but should do things over the next couple of years.”
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