Baldivis tops with first-timers

Baldivis has topped a list of the most popular metropolitan suburbs for first-homebuyers.

According to data from the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), 304 first-homebuyers purchased lots in Baldivis in the 11 months to April.

Harcourts Rockingham sales executive Grant Robinson estimated up to 28 per cent of all buyers in suburb were purchasing their first home.

He said Baldivis, which according to Real Estate Institute of WA has a median price house price of $422,000, held particular appeal for people entering the property market because it was a modern option compared to neighbouring suburbs.

‘‘In your older, established areas, prices tend to be a little bit higher and that’s a distraction,’’ Mr Robinson said.

‘‘First-homebuyers are usually looking for something modern.

‘‘When you go to some of the other suburbs, there are nice homes, but some of them need to be renovated.’’

Mr Robinson said proximity to amenities and the freeway were big pull factors.

‘‘They like to buy something modern so they don’t have to spend any money and they know they’ve got four to five years with no maintenance on their homes,’’ he said.

‘‘They are attracted to Baldivis because it’s self-contained, modern, has great shopping centres, is close to freeways and it’s just a really nice suburb. We deal quite a lot with first home buyers and try to help them along the way so they don’t hit any unforseen hurdles.’’

The surge in first-homebuyer activity is being largely driven by rising rental prices and record low vacancy rates.

According to the UDIA, more than three quarters of increased housing activity in 2012 was driven by first-homebuyers.

Mr Robinson said more young couples were choosing to buy a home.

‘‘If you’re a couple paying $400 for a rental, why not look at ownership and put your money into paying off a home rather than into a rental,’’ he said.

‘‘There’s been a shift of first-homebuyers in to their own properties, but we’re still short of rental properties.

‘‘We’re finding rentals are very, very tight. We can’t get enough supply and rents have increased in last 12 months.’’