When it comes to purchasing a property, it’s important to look beyond the walls of the house to the surrounding suburb.

As well as ticking off the features you want in a home (such as four bedrooms and a pool), go through REIWA’s ‘suburb checklist’ to ensure the neighbourhood aligns with your lifestyle and preferences.

From using the comprehensive insights on www.reiwa.com to checking out your Local Government Area (LGA) and crime statistics, we’ll help you find your ideal location.

Suburb profiles at your fingertips on www.reiwa.com

Start your search with the REIWA Insights hub, which gives you a wealth of information in one convenient location. For each suburb you can find:

Quick stats: View the latest sales and rental data as well as details about public transport connections, population and which council you fall under.

Nearby suburb growth: Analyse the growth trends of neighbouring suburbs to see where your suburb sits.

Suburb prices: Understand the current property prices and trends across houses, units and land, as well as time on market and growth rates.

Suburb interest level: Gauge the interest level in the suburb from other property hunters, with average suburb views.

Local schools: Get the distance to local schools, both public and private.

Property types and demographics: See the breakdown of property types and the demographic makeup of the suburb based on Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data – revealing the proportion of renters to owners, families to singles and more.

Current residential listings: Stay updated on available properties to buy and rent in the area.

Active agents: Discover the active real estate agents and agencies for your suburb and see their record of sales and leasing activity.

You can also use our interactive maps to discover a range of features from public transport routes and local schools to utilities that run through the property, bushfire zones and flood plains, as well as zoning r-codes and whether the property is heritage listed. All critical information before you make an offer.

What else do you need to look out for?

When evaluating a suburb, use the reiwa.com mapping tool to see what else the area offers, including:

Amenities

Ensure that the suburb has easy access to amenities that are essential to you. This may include:

Shopping centres

Health facilities

Cafes and restaurants

Hardware stores*

Community centres

Recreational areas (eg. Pools, parks or the beach)

The suburb you are looking at may not have all these facilities, but it may be close enough to them for your needs.

*Fun fact: Renovation gurus and faces of the new reiwa.com campaign Ronnie and Georgia previously mentioned being close to Bunnings as a priority for handy homeowners.

Safety

Take a drive through the suburb at multiple times of the day to observe the neighbourhood dynamics and activity levels. You may want to look at street lighting at night, especially if you leave for work or come home during the evening or like to exercise at night.

You can also investigate local crime statistics to understand the safety level in your area.

Location and ease of transport

Proximity to work, loved ones and recreational areas like the beach is an important factor for many people when choosing where to live.

You might have found your dream home but is it in a convenient location for you? As well as access to major road routes, do you need public transport, such as a train line or bus routes that can make the commute to work efficient? If you like to cycle, are there adequate bike paths to get you to and from work?

Do you need to be close to your family? Long drives to family homes for weekly dinners or school pick-ups could become frustrating.

If you spend every available moment at the beach during Summer, would a suburb closer to the water be better for your lifestyle?

Do you want to be able to walk to shops, medical facilities and cafes and restaurants?

School catchments

If it is important that your children attend a particular public school, investigate the school catchment areas to ensure they are eligible to attend. Many people buy into an area well before their children reach school age specifically to get them into a certain school.

Do you want your children to walk or ride to school? Check local maps to see if they have to cross any major roads on their route. This may influence where you buy in the suburb.

Proximity to reputable schools can also positively impact the value of your property.

Green space

Are you someone who likes a tree-lined street or feel that greenery adds to a suburb’s appeal? Drive around your preferred suburb/s to see if any streets stand out so you can narrow down your search.

Pet owners might also wish to have a dog exercise area in walking distance for their furry friends, or parents with young children may look for local playgrounds to get some fresh air.

Local Government Area

Do you know which Local Government Area (LGA) you will fall under? Suburbs can be split between two LGAs, which can impact the amenities or services you receive. Drive through the suburb and look at the local parks or community areas to see how they are maintained.

You can also look into the future planning and zoning strategies of the suburb or LGA to understand the long-term development plans and potential zoning changes, which can let you know about the neighbourhood’s future prospects.

Sourced from REIWA