Here’s what you get paying entry-level price in every capital city

The most affordable houses in a capital city usually come with any number of compromises – and while buyers already know location is often just the starting point, it can still be difficult to pinpoint where the entry-level homes are before anyone else does.

Competition at the lower end of the market is notoriously strong, so experts say the key to securing a house on a tight budget is knowing exactly where to look, and considering older properties.

Domain has rounded up some of the best examples of entry-level properties on the market.

While Sydney has a median house price of $1.6 million, the price of an entry-level house based on the 25th percentile is $990,000, according to the Domain First Home Buyer Report.

It’s still possible to buy a house with a budget of $990,00 or less, says buyer’s agent Debra Beck-Mewing of The Property Frontline.

“[A $990,000 budget] is very realistic. Of course, you wouldn’t be buying something within 10 kilometres of the CBD,” she says. “From Auburn outwards, easily into the Campbelltown area and the Penrith Council suburbs.

“The thing that people need to realise is that they shouldn’t just think, ‘Oh, this suburb is going to be too expensive because of the median,’ because you can often pick up properties that have got some little issue, or those rare opportunities if you keep your eye on suburbs closer in [to the city].

“You really just have to be filtering through the properties quite often to find a bargain.”

In a place like Western Sydney, finding a three or four-bedroom house for less than $900,000 is possible, Beck-Mewing says.

This red-brick Lethbridge Park house sits on a 632-square-metre block and has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and plenty of parking space. At the rear is an oversized shed that could be used as storage or a workshop. It even has a functional fireplace, perfect for winter.

This white weatherboard Bradbury home has five bedrooms and one bathroom on a 607-square-metre block of land. It is on a single level, which is excellent for families who dislike stairs.

Melbourne has become one of Australia’s easiest capital cities to break into as a first-time buyer.

The cost of an entry-price house based on the 25th percentile in Melbourne is $670,000, according to Domain data.

A budget of $670,000 is very generous for buying an entry-house, says mortgage broker Adele Andrews of Australian Property Home Loans.

“Not a lot of first-home buyers I see have budgets that extend that far,” she says. “Most of them are in the $500,000 bracket.

“The further you go out, potentially, the more bang for your buck you’ll get, or the more value you’ll get. You’re obviously not going to find a home with a decent patch of land close to the city within that [$670,000] price bracket.

Andrews suggests looking at the outskirts of Melbourne, such as Pakenham, Warragul, Melton, Rockbank, Mickleham Kalkallo, Hoppers Crossing and Drouin.

“As a first-home buyer, you’ve got to be practical about what your first property looks like,” she says. “You know you’re not necessarily going to buy your forever home as your first home. It’s basically a foot in the door, getting into the market, building your equity for whatever’s next.”

For less than $650,000, you can secure this three-bedroom house on a 710-square-metre block of land. This Pakenham red-brick house features two bay windows and plenty of living and dining space. The main bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe, and the other two bedrooms have built-in robes. 

This recently renovated two-story brick house has six bedrooms and two bathrooms. It sits on a 581-square-metre block of land and has plenty of outdoor space, easily accommodating a pool or a trampoline. This home is excellent for people with big families or a need for multiple hobby rooms. 

In Brisbane, it has become more challenging for a first-time buyer to buy a house on a tight budget, says buyer’s agent Lauren Jones.

“It’s now going to be impossible in [the Brisbane City Council area]. However, it’s still possible in Moreton Bay, Logan and Ipswich. In the Redlands, you’re almost out of options as well.”

The cost of an entry-level house based on the 25th percentile in Brisbane is $735,000, according to Domain data.

“[That] is pretty much your absolute bottom entry price to buy a house in greater Brisbane,” Jones says.

“If you want to be in [the Brisbane City Council area] within a 12-kilometre ring, you probably want $1.1 million. If you’re happy to go to somewhere like North Lakes, the minimum you need is probably $800,000.”

This two-level house offers plenty of space for everyone in the family. It has three bedrooms, a sunroom, a study space, plenty of storage and a rumpus area. It’s also a few minutes from Wulkuraka Station and several state schools.

This brick home, built in 2017, has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and sits on 320 square metres of land. All the rooms have built-in wardrobes, and the main bedroom has a walk-in robe. There is plenty of backyard space, perfect for a pool. 

In Adelaide, an entry-level home based on the 25th percentile now costs $689,000. While it’s more expensive than five years ago, finding a house under that budget is still possible.

Built in 1870, this small bluestone house is an architectural gem and a great starter home. It’s about 4.5 kilometres from the Adelaide CBD and within walking distance of a shopping centre. The house has high ceilings, a patio, a verandah and a pergola. If you’re itching to become a renovator, this home is full of potential.

This red-brick Mansfield Park house has five bedrooms and sits on a 562-square-metre block of land. It includes a carport, a garage and a massive sunroom. The house measures 294 square metres – plenty of space for a starter home.

In Perth, an entry-level home based on the 25th percentile is now $645,000, but free-standing houses are available at a much lower price point. 

The price guide for this three-bedroom house is in the mid-$500,000, perfect for a first-time buyer on a tight budget. It has an open-plan kitchen with stainless steel appliances. The bedrooms have built-in wardrobes, and the bathroom has a separate shower and bath. It’s less than 10 kilometres from the CBD.

This white-brick three-bedroom, two-bathroom house has an open-plan living and dining area and a separate lounge/media room. Starting from $609,000, the Westminster property is within walking distance of a bus stop and 1.4 kilometres from the Reid Highway.