Your suburb research checklist


The golden rule in real estate is “location, location, location”, but how do you know a suburb is right for you when you find it?  

Whether you are buying an investment property or a home, finding an area that meets your needs is paramount. Here are some things to consider when deciding on a suburb.

Access to amenities

In terms of lifestyle appeal and future potential capital growth, one of the key things to look out for is access to amenities. You’ll want to know there are things like schools, hospitals, shopping centres, parks, bike trails and walking tracks in the neighbourhood. 

If you’re buying a home, having amenities nearby will make life easier and more enjoyable. As an investor, these kinds of features will also be a drawcard for prospective tenants.

School zoning

It’s a good idea to pay particular attention to the local school catchment area. This can affect not only the capital growth potential of your property, but also its rentability.  

Which public schools is the area zoned for and what’s their reputation like?  

Are there private schools nearby that are highly sought after?  

Even if you don’t plan on having kids, you may want to rent out your home to a family one day and being close to reputable schools could make your property more appealing to them.

Transport links

Anyone who has ever commuted to work on public transport understands the importance of having efficient public transport close to home. Check the local bus routes and train lines when doing your suburb research. 

If there are limited public transport options nearby, at the very least make sure the property is well connected to major roads and freeways.

Future planning and zoning

Proposed infrastructure changes and large-scale residential developments could have a significant impact on the value of your property and its rentability – think suburbs that become saturated with townhouses and multi-storey apartment blocks. 

Research whether there are any zoning changes looming or major government projects in the pipeline that could affect the suburb’s desirability. 

Infrastructure investment in a suburb can help drive up property prices. However, as an investor, it’s also important to stick to suburbs with a strong record of population growth, not just mass development on the horizon.

Rental market returns

As an investor, look into the rental yield, which is a measure of how much cash an income-generating asset produces each year as a percentage of the property’s value (note: there are gross and net yield calculations to consider).  

It’s also a good idea to look into vacancy rates and the demographics of the suburb. What proportion of inhabitants are renters? This may help give you an indication of the level of rental demand within the suburb.

Future price growth

If capital growth is on your radar, look for indications property values may increase.  

What do the historical capital growth trends tell you? 

Is there likely to be population growth in the area in coming years? Are there employment opportunities nearby?  

Are neighbouring suburbs highly sought after or is the suburb being improved or “gentrified” by new residents? 

Are vacancy rates low?  

How many days are properties on the market and are vendors discounting?  

This kind of research will help give you a clearer understanding of the local market and how the suburb is faring.

Tips for doing your suburb research

A good way to better understand a suburb is to spend time there before purchasing. Drive through the neighbourhood at different times of day and speak to the locals about what it’s like to live there.  

However, the absolute easiest way to access all the information you need is to ask us for a free suburb report. It includes the latest details about everything from demographics and the volume of properties in a suburb, to current listings, recent sales, median property values and more. 

Get in touch today for your complimentary suburb report.

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A word from our satisfied customers

Maxine Zhong
Maxine Zhong
19 October 2023
Amanda has been such an incredible support throughout our very first time going through the home loan process. Her thoughtfulness to regularly check in to make sure all our questions were answered and that all our documents were in place helped to make the whole daunting process feel seamless and easy. I could not recommend her enough - she made sure to keep us informed every step of the way and made sure all necessary documents/processes were completed well ahead of time so we never had to worry about missing any steps. She went well above and beyond her role, and I know we will definitely be coming back to her in the future, as well as recommending her to all of our networks! Thank you again, Amanda!
Mark Nesbitt
Mark Nesbitt
11 October 2023
Greg and the team provide an outstanding service. Highly recommended
Christine Tran
Christine Tran
23 September 2023
Yuval handled my first ever home loan, he did such an amazing job I asked to him to refinance for me 2 years later. Yuval made everything very easy for me, and will give his best recommendation as if it was his own. Would always recommend Yuval :)
David Petrini
David Petrini
25 August 2023
Yuval Bloomfield was an absolute delight to work with. He made it extremely easy for my clients to discuss about their financial situation. With Yuval's strong connections he was able to get the loan my clients wanted in very quick time. Will definitely refer Yuval again.
Sophie Linehan
Sophie Linehan
24 August 2023
Greg and the team at 1st Street were fantastic all the way through the process of getting our financing sorted and buying a new home. They not only secured us the most competitive mortgage in the market but they also gave advice on a number of mortgage-adjacent questions that came up along the way. Their responsive and thoughtful guidance helped make the nail-biting process clear and calm. We would definitely recommend their services.
Gabrielle Scott-Jones
Gabrielle Scott-Jones
18 August 2023
Greg and his team gave me exceptional advice and support. They were timely and detailed in their responses and dealt patiently with me as a first home buyer and all of my questions. The lender at the bank commented on how well I was being looked after compared with other brokers in the market. I’d highly recommend 1st Street to anyone, including friends and family.
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Eli Simic
15 August 2023
Great communication and fast service
Richard Kuipers
Richard Kuipers
11 August 2023
Jeremy and his team are superb. Negotiated the best deal for us and were an absolure pleasure to work with. Highly recommended, you can't do any better in my opinion.
Jordan Rivkin
Jordan Rivkin
1 August 2023
The team at 1st Street truly are professionals. I can't recommend Jeremy highly enough, he is extremely competent and just a great guy. You're in safe hands with 1st Street!
Yossi Bengida
Yossi Bengida
23 July 2023
Another amazing job by David and Bree. Always available for our questions, helpful and just 10/10 Seriously good work !! See you on the next one :) Yossi and liz