Australians buying their first home are on the move. Recent credit data shows mortgage applications from first-home buyers jumped 10.3% last quarter, even as total mortgage balances edged down.

It’s a clear sign there’s a price ceiling: buyers are flocking to suburbs with good transport, solid job access and plenty of units and townhouses that sit neatly within typical bank lending limits.

Below, we’ve highlighted some of the busiest first-home corridors – plus “opportunity” pockets where prices are still closer to entry-level budgets. A local buyer’s agent, especially one you’ve compared and selected through BuyerAgentFinder, can help you work these areas confidently and avoid costly mistakes.

Medians below combine houses and units and are a guide only.

New South Wales

Sydney’s west and inner-south are carrying much of the buyer activity. Suburbs such as:

• Parramatta – $704,000

• Blacktown – $728,000

• Castle Hill – $779,000

• Hurstville – $719,000

• Marrickville – $720,000

are attracting strong first-home interest thanks to:

• train and bus connections into key employment hubs

• plenty of older apartments and townhouses

• prices that still sit under common lending thresholds for many banks

If you’re chasing better value without heading too far out, suburbs like:

• Leumeah – $543,000

• Forestville – $601,000

• Emu Plains – $617,000

• Como – $619,000

• Stanhope Gardens – $619,000

are worth a closer look – particularly for well-maintained strata properties with reasonable outgoings.

A local buyer’s agent who knows these streets can help you sort the solid buildings from the ones with hidden issues, and use recent sales data to keep your offer grounded in reality.

Queensland

In Queensland, first-home buyer activity is clustering along the Gold Coast–Brisbane corridors, where lifestyle and amenity are big drawcards. Stand-out areas on connectivity and everyday convenience include:

• Pimpama – $660,000

• Southport – $680,000

• West End – $617,000

• Coorparoo – $665,000

• Palm Beach – $720,000

For buyers needing a sharper entry price, these suburbs are still offering comparative value:

• Chapel Hill – $498,000

• Holmview – $505,000

• Daisy Hill – $509,000

• Brassall – $521,000

• Goodna – $530,000

In many of these pockets, townhouses and established units are where the numbers still pass bank servicing tests. A buyer’s agent can help you work through body corporate records, rental history and flood risk – all of which matter in South-East Queensland – before you commit.

Victoria

In Victoria, first-home buyers are once again prepared to trade space for walkability and lifestyle. Inner and middle-ring suburbs such as:

• Melbourne (inner) – $585,000

• Richmond – $665,000

• Tarneit – $594,000

• Southbank – $615,000

• South Yarra – $630,000

are drawing steady applications, underpinned by:

• reliable public transport

• strong rental demand (important if you plan to rent the property out later)

• a deep pool of apartments and townhouses

For those wanting a starting point under the broader metro median, the following suburbs continue to look relatively affordable:

• Melton South – $477,000

• Burnside – $489,000

• Keilor Downs – $492,000

• Skye – $520,000

• Roxburgh Park – $524,000

In many of these areas, newer townhouses are often the most realistic first step – especially if you’re keen on a low-maintenance home but still want a decent floorplan.

A Victorian buyer’s agent can help you compare different estates, builder reputations and local growth drivers, and push back against sales pressure in hotter estates.

Why these pockets are heating up

Across the states, similar themes keep showing up:

• Lower price bands – suburbs that sit just under common bank thresholds are seeing concentrated demand.

• Reliable transport – train stations, frequent buses and motorway access are doing a lot of the heavy lifting.

• Plenty of attached dwellings – units, townhouses and villas are giving first-home buyers a way into areas they couldn’t afford freestanding houses in.

• Government support – deposit schemes and grants can help some buyers clear the deposit hurdle, but in stock-starved areas they can also add more competition.

Because conditions are tight, it’s wise to build buffers into your sums and stress-test repayments at least three percentage points above your current rate. A good buyer’s agent will model this with you and help steer you away from homes that put you under pressure.

Where BuyerAgentFinder fits in

If you’re thinking about buying in any of these first-home hotspots, having the right professional on your side can make a real difference:

• They do the suburb and street-level research for you

• They spot red flags in buildings and contracts

• They negotiate with agents every week

• They help you act quickly and confidently when the right property appears

BuyerAgentFinder allows you to compare local buyer’s agents side-by-side, so you can find someone who knows your target suburbs, respects your budget and works only for you (not the seller).

If you’re ready to explore these first-home buyer hotspots with an expert in your corner, consider comparing buyer’s agents through BuyerAgentFinder before you start making offers.