26 Nov Your Guide to Sydney’s First Home Buyer Hotspots

For any buyer, but especially first home buyers, choosing the right suburb is just as important as finding the right property. Sydney’s Inner West and Lower North Shore offer distinct advantages—from vibrant urban villages with strong rental demand to established, well-connected enclaves with enduring appeal. Below, we examine key suburbs across both regions, highlighting what’s available, typical price points, and market conditions to help you identify where your next home might be.

Inner West

First home buyers remain active in Sydney’s Inner West, despite affordability challenges and interest rate concerns. Recent changes to the First Home Buyer Guarantee have boosted demand, particularly in well-connected suburbs like Campsie, Dulwich Hill, Glebe, and Erskineville—where buyers can find attainable entry points with good transport and urban lifestyle.

While market activity has eased slightly from last year’s peak, prices continue to rise steadily across most Inner West suburbs, partly driven by this renewed buyer interest. Quality one- and two-bedroom apartments under $1 million remain in short supply and high demand.

For those looking to buy, the Inner West offers good accessibility, growth potential, and strong rental returns—making it one of Sydney’s most resilient areas for first home buyers heading into 2026.

Campsie

Median Price: $688K
Price Trend: Moderate growth, minor monthly dips
Property Type: Mostly 1–2 bedroom units
Key Takeaway: Affordable, stable, ideal for first-home buyers seeking value with less competition

Glebe

Median Price: $1.23M
Price Trend: Mild quarterly fluctuations with moderate Q3 rebound
Property Type: Predominantly one-bedroom units under $950k
Key Takeaway: Premium Inner West location with limited affordable stock—competitive but desirable entry point for professionals

Dulwich Hill

Median Price: $974K
Price Trend: Gradual growth with small monthly fluctuations
Property Type: Mostly 1–2 bedroom units
Key Takeaway: The Stock on the market is down by 28.9% which means high competition for people wanting to buy into this area, but steady entry-level options

Erskineville

Median Price:$1.15M
Price Trend: Strong, consistent growth across all quarters
Property Type: Mostly one-bedroom apartments; very limited two-bed stock under $950k
Key Takeaway: Tight market with solid median price growth of 8.8% in the last 12 months; appealing for buyers seeking lifestyle and long-term value near the city

Lower North Shore

The first home buyer market on Sydney’s Lower North Shore remains active, supported by strong lifestyle appeal, excellent transport links, and enduring long-term value. Suburbs like Neutral Bay, Cremorne, Wollstonecraft, and Artarmon continue to attract buyers seeking an attainable entry point into this desirable region, offering village charm and proximity to the CBD.

Affordability pressures persist, but opportunities remain. One-bedroom apartments typically start around $750k, with good availability of two-bedroom options in the $950k–$1.5m range. These areas appeal to first home buyers who value convenience—easy access to trains, ferries, and vibrant café precincts.

Market conditions have held steady through 2025. Neutral Bay and Cremorne recorded modest price growth, while Wollstonecraft and Artarmon showed more subdued activity but consistent stock levels. All four suburbs are now impacted by the Low to Mid Rise Housing policy, which is expected to increase apartment supply and could influence pricing—creating both opportunity and variability for buyers ahead.

For first home buyers, the Lower North Shore remains a sought-after choice, combining lifestyle, accessibility, and strong fundamentals that support long-term capital growth potential.

Neutral Bay

Median Price:$1.28M
Price Trend: A modest softening in the first half of the year, median prices lifted by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter.
Property Type: One-bedroom apartments under $950k, 2 bedrooms up to $1.5m
Key Takeaway: Despite a 17.1% decrease in sales over the last 12 months, Neutral Bay continues to experience tight market conditions, with limited stock in the two-bedroom segment priced between $950,000 and $1.5 million. September sales indicate stronger buyer activity within this range compared to lower price points. There is an opportunity for buyers seeking one-bedroom apartments as an attractive entry point into this vibrant, well-connected suburb, with more stock available in this segment.

Cremorne

Median Price:$1.4M
Price Trend: Over the past 12 months, Cremorne’s median price rose by 1.5%, supported by a strong performance in May. Price movements through 2025 have been minimal, reflecting a stable market with only minor monthly fluctuations
Property Type: One-bedroom apartments under $950k, 2 bedrooms up to $1.5m
Key Takeaway: Overall stock levels in Cremorne have remained steady; however, availability for one-bedroom apartments is tight, leading to increased competition within this segment. In contrast, there is greater choice for two-bedroom buyers in the $950k–$1.5m range, presenting appealing opportunities for those looking to enter the market in this suburb, often viewed as a more affordable alternative to Mosman. Buyers should also be mindful that current Low to Mid-Rise Housing changes may impact prices in both positive and negative ways moving forward.

Wollstonecraft

Median Price:$1.32M
Price Trend: While Wollstonecraft’s median price has eased slightly over the past 12 months, strong Q2 2025 sales helped keep the median unit price largely steady
Property Type: Entry-level one-bedroom apartments start around $750k, with some two-bedroom options available at the upper end of this bracket.
Key Takeaway: For first home buyers, Wollstonecraft offers opportunities across both the sub-$950k market and the $950k–$1.5m range. Overall sales have slowed, but stock on the market remains steady. Approximately 80% of the suburb currently comprises apartments, and with the Low to Mid-Rise Housing policy, the number of apartments is set to increase, which could put downward pressure on prices in the future.

Artarmon

Median Price:$1.09M
Price Trend: The median price remained stable over the last 12 months, with an increase of 0.3%
Property Type: Buyers can find entry-level one to two-bedroom apartments under $950k, while two-bedroom and a small selection of three-bedroom options sit within the $950k–$1.5m range.
Key Takeaway: Sales activity in Artarmon has softened, although stock levels remain relatively steady. Competition is strongest among first home buyers in the sub-$950k range, where supply is limited. More transactions are occurring in the $950k–$1.5m bracket, where buyers can secure two-bedroom apartments and, at the upper end, a few three-bedroom options. Around 68% of Artarmon’s dwellings are apartments, and with much of the suburb included in the Low to Mid-Rise Housing policy, further apartment development is expected in the future. Artarmon remains highly sought after for its convenient access to the train line, providing easy connections to both the CBD and Chatswood.

How Premier Home Finders Can Help

At Premier Home Finders, we’ve helped many first home buyers secure their properties with confidence—and we can do the same for you. Buying your first home is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll make, and our team is here to protect your investment every step of the way. We identify the best opportunities, including off-market listings, and guide you through the entire process—from suburb selection to negotiation and settlement. With deep local expertise across the Lower North Shore, Inner West, and Eastern Sydney, we help you find the right property while safeguarding your wealth and avoiding costly mistakes, ensuring a smooth and confident purchase.

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