The Melbourne suburbs now qualifying for First Home Loan Deposit Scheme after price falls
Australia’s residential property market has shown resilience, despite the shock of the coronavirus pandemic. However, impacted “pockets” of Melbourne have seen falling median values create opportunities for buyers, said CoreLogic head of research, Eliza Owen.
On February 3, minister for housing Michael Sukkar announced the reissue of around 1,800 first home loan deposit scheme (FHLDS) places.
“Recent value falls may have created an opportunity for first home buyers, where there is a maximum purchase price cap to qualify for the scheme”, Owen said.
As of January 2021, there was an average of 107 suburbs observed in the capital cities with a median value at or below the qualifying threshold for the FHLDS, assuming the application is for an established property.
In Melbourne’s inner-region, where median values have declined an average -$33,313 between March 2020 and January 2021, unit medians that have slipped below this threshold, providing the chance for first home buyers to secure a new home.
Melbourne’s property price caps for established units under the scheme sits at $600,000, where suburbs like Docklands, Brunswick and South Melbourne would normally not qualify.
As evident in CoreLogic’s data, revealing city suburbs where the median value fell below the established property price threshold since the onset of COVID-19, Docklands had a pre-pandemic median value at $645,924, which has fallen close to $50,000. Docklands' January 2021 median values are listed at $596,486.
“As noted in previous research, the Inner region of Melbourne has seen particularly severe declines in rent and property values since the onset of COVID-19”, said Owen.
CoreLogic attributes this to Melbourne’s historically high exposure to housing demand from overseas migrants, such as international students, which has been significantly affected by the pandemic.
“As more of the housing market is caught in a broad-based upswing, first home buyers could face more challenges getting into the market in the year ahead”, Owen said.
Apartments in Melbourne listed below the qualifying threshold for the FHLDS
1. Folia, Doncaster
Address: 59 Stables Circuit, Doncaster VIC 3108
Two-bedroom apartments from $580,000
With two-bedroom apartments priced from $580,000, Folia offers architecturally-designed homes below the qualifying threshold for the first home loan deposit scheme.
Designed and delivered by Mirvac, boasts a curved façade, rooftop conservatory and sustainable features, including a 70kWh solar panel array.
2. Melbourne Quarter, Docklands
Address: 628 Flinders Street, Docklands VIC 3108
One-bedroom apartments from $458,000
Home buyers can enjoy a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment for as low as $458,000 at Lendlease’s Melbourne Quarter.
Designed by the award-winning Fender Katsalidis, Melbourne Quarter offers residents CBD convenience, a hotel-style lobby, concierge and exclusive access to Club MQ, three whole floors of resort-style amenities.
3. M-City, Clayton
Address: 2106 Dandenong Road, Clayton VIC 3168
Two-bedroom apartments from $540,800
Schiavello’s M-City offers 460 residences across four buildings at an entry price of $371,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence.
Designed by Buchan Group, the apartments boast smart design features, private balconies and resort-style amenities, including a community childcare centre, outdoor pool and tennis court.
