Canberra's southern belle charms first-home buyers and young families

Buyers have been actively snapping up a diverse range of properties in Canberra’s family-friendly suburb of Mawson.

According to Peter Maloney of Maloney’s Property, Mawson has attracted attention lately thanks to the potential realisation of the light rail and the evolving transformation of the Woden precinct, which has become a vibrant hub of cafes, bars and restaurants.

Maloney recently sold a two-bedroom apartment in a block at 6 Wilkins Street to a first-home buyer for $325,000, presenting exceptional value.

Over the past year, Domain data shows the median price for a unit in Mawson increased by 0.7 per cent to $720,000, while median house prices currently sit at $1.13 million – slightly higher than the territory’s overall median of $1,024,214.

With neighbouring O’Malley recording one of its highest sale prices late last year when 30 Pindari Crescent sold for $3.525 million, first-home buyers and young families are being drawn to Mawson’s location in a prestige area that offers a more affordable price point.

Irwin Property’s Jonathan Irwin successfully sold a stylish unit at 8/86 Mawson Drive for $521,000 earlier this month, setting a record price for a one-bedroom apartment in both the complex and the suburb.

And Blackshaw Manuka’s Vince Qi said he sold the single-level mid-century townhouse at 6/72 Shackleton Circuit under the hammer last week for $1.225 million after only 23 days on market.

“We had 69 buyer enquiries [and] 59 separate inspections, with four registered bidders on the day,” Qi said. “The seller is a very lovely 94-year-old lady who has occupied this property for the past 25 years.”

In February, a townhouse in a similarly leafy setting on the same street at 17/36 Shackleton Circuit went for $1.26 million through Ray White Canberra’s Alexandra Rogers, while Michael Potter Real Estate sold the three-bedroom home at 8 Blake Place prior to auction for $905,000,

An opportunity to buy at the upper end is on offer with Hayman Partners selling the stunning five-bedroom house at 34 Enderby Street for an asking price of $2.25 million.

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