Secrets behind popularity of Canberra suburbs with highest median prices

Each Canberra district has its own distinct feel and standout suburbs. In the past 12 months these suburbs have attracted the highest median house price in their area. Allhomes discovers what makes each of these neighbourhoods so popular.

Gungahlin – Crace
Houses sold: 67
Median price: $740,000

As one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, new suburbs are constantly popping up in Gungahlin. But there is something about Crace that has resonated with people. The suburb’s village feel and strong community have attracted lots of Canberra families and buyers are prepared to pay top dollar for a home in the suburb. “The way it’s laid out is appealing,” Luton Properties Dickson agent Christine Shaw says. “A lot of forethought has been put into the planning of the suburb.” Shaw says you only need to look at the recent string of sales prices that have been achieved in the suburb to see its growing appeal. The record was set last year when a stunning home on Langtree Crescent sold under the hammer for $1.47 million.

Belconnen – Bruce
Houses sold: 20
Median price: $887,500

Bruce is more than a suburb, according to JL Hooker Belconnen principal Dennis Vlandis. It is a “micro city” that accommodates for all aspects of urban living. Home to a large population of apartments and townhouses, the suburb also houses a number of prestige homes that are keenly sought after when they hit the market. “When they come on the market there are people waiting for them because they’re in such high demand,” Vlandis says. While Bruce is just a short drive from facilities of the city and Belconnen, it also includes an array of amenity within its own borders. The University of Canberra, Calvary Hospital and the AIS are among the suburb’s occupants. “Because of the centralised location, buyers will benefit from capital appreciation when the time comes to move on down the track,” Vlandis says.

North Canberra – Reid
Houses sold: 12
Median price: $1,224,000

One of Canberra’s oldest suburbs is also one of the city’s most popular. Reid’s heritage-listed properties, combined with leafy established streets and close proximity to the city, have seen the suburb’s median price skyrocket above $1 million. Independent Property Group Woden and Weston Creek agent Jonathan Charles has two homes in the suburb for the record price of $1.9 million and he says buyers are happy to spend extra to be a part of the suburb’s character and charm. Most of the suburb’s homes are heritage-listed, which Charles says is a huge drawcard. “It’s so close to the city and you don’t have to be too worried about the suburb being transformed into apartment blocks,” he says.

South Canberra – Forrest
Houses sold: 16
Median price: $2,170,000

Forrest is Canberra’s most expensive suburb with a median house price of more than $2 million. Peter Blackshaw Manuka agent Mario Sanfrancesco says it is where buyers come for their “dream home”. “I think what brings people to Forrest is its larger than average parcels of land, a leafy environment and its geographical position in the inner south,” he says. “Some of Canberra’s historical and most prestigious homes are within Forrest.” Sanfrancesco says the suburb has evolved over the past decade with some of the non-heritage-listed blocks being redeveloped. “We’ve seen significant architectural investment with a number of bespoke, designer homes being built.”

Woden Valley – O’Malley
Houses sold: 11
Median price: $1,775,000

O’Malley’s palatial properties are occupied by many of the embassies, which has made it a hotspot for investors, according to Ray White Canberra agent Margaret Reynolds. “30 per cent are investors,” she says. “They lease them out to assist with being able to live in their home in a few years. Some rent for years to embassies, it’s a good long-term investment.” Another 30 per cent, Reynolds says, are doctors. The suburb’s proximity to the Canberra Hospital, as well as the top schools in the inner south makes it the perfect location for a lot of families. “They also like the large blocks, the new bigger homes and they like to be able to walk around Isaacs Ridge and look at the animals,” she says.

Weston Creek – Chapman
Houses sold: 32
Median price: $856,250

Cream Residential director Chris Wilson says most of his buyers are looking for homes in either the central Woden suburbs or Chapman. The suburb is a standout in Weston Creek because of its large elevated blocks, substantial homes and sweeping views. “There are no bad areas,” Wilson says. “It holds a real attraction for that reason.” A population of owner-builders in the mid-1970s set the standard for the suburb’s quality homes. Seven-figure sales have become more common for the Chapman and it holds a suburb record of $1.78 million. The hugely popular Chapman Primary School is also a major drawcard for many young families.

Tuggeranong – Fadden
Houses sold: 45
Median price: $645,000

Ray White Tuggeranong principal Colin McIntyre says there are a lot of reasons buyers are flocking to Fadden. It is situated in the northern part of Tuggeranong, provides easy access to the rest of Canberra and offers an undulating landscape with elevated views across the city. Growing families are also drawn to the suburb’s larger properties. “The mixture of properties is mainly the top-end – four-bedrooms and up,” McIntyre says. Fadden Hills, the northern part of the suburb backing Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve, is particularly popular with buyers.

Greater Queanbeyan – Royalla
Houses sold: 11
Median price: $910,000

The rural lifestyle within an easy commute to the city has lured many Canberrans across the border and into Royalla. The burgeoning township of nearby Googong has made the prospect for property here even more attractive, according to Luton Properties Manuka agent Greg Hedger. “There are certainly some stunning homes in the Royalla area,” Hedger says. “It was cheaper than areas like Sutton, but it’s caught up. People understand that you’ve got good access to the airport and city.” Googong, which is just five minutes from Royalla, has its own primary school and a shopping centre under construction. Hedger believes this will see house prices only increase in Royalla.

The median price is for detached houses sold between April, 2015 and March, 2016. Suburbs that recorded fewer than 10 sales have not been included.

Lovingly renovated

Reid’s character, history and streetscape were some of the suburb’s key attractions when Jennie and Simon Heinicke bought their heritage-listed home nine years ago.

The 1920s cottage has been beautifully renovated. Jennie, above, loves cooking so a new kitchen was a priority, as was a luxurious new bathroom. However, heritage details such as the timber mantle, high battened ceilings and Canberra red brick have been preserved.

“We’ve kept a lot of the heritage features, feel and colour,” Jennie says.

The galley-style kitchen includes bespoke cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and a butler’s sink and pantry.

The new bathroom features a freestanding bath and French porcelain basin.

A seamless extension carries the heritage theme throughout the new living areas with the help of reclaimed timber floors from an old Sydney bridge.

The history continues outside where a magnificent oak plane tree – the same age as the house – provides a shady canopy in the warmer months.

The location has also been ideal for family. Jennie can walk to work in the city and eight-year-old Lachlan is within walking distance to school.

“I love living in Reid, the location is just perfect,” Jennie says.

“We don’t take our car out on the weekends and we spend a lot of time riding and walking around the lake.”

61 Coranderrk Street, Reid, will be sold by Luton Properties Dickson agent Holly Komorowski, 0434 973 987. EER: 2.5. Inspect: Saturday, 10-10.45am and Tuesday, 5-5.30pm.

Luxury and privacy

36 Arthur Circle, Forrest
$3.5 million

In a suburb populated by stunning houses, it’s hard to pick a standout property, but this is certainly one of them.

Befitting its blue-ribbon location, quality has been considered throughout  the expansive six-bedroom house.

Set behind manicured hedges and security gates, the  house enjoys a private setting on Arthur Circle.

An oversized, custom-built front door opens to reveal high ceilings, light-filled living spaces and an array of entertaining options.

Grand rooms at the front of the house provide the ultimate setting for formal occasions, while the open-plan living spaces flowing from the designer kitchen are well equipped for large gatherings.

The kitchen includes a huge island bench, walk-in pantry and stainless steel appliances. It overlooks the sparkling, self-cleaning swimming pool, water feature and three segregated alfresco entertaining spaces, complete with an outdoor kitchen.

A  rumpus room and study nook offer additional living spaces.

The main suite is conveniently situated on the lower level with a walk-through wardrobe and luxurious en suite with a double shower.

There are four bedrooms upstairs, all with built-in wardrobes and three with external access to their own covered balcony.

Positioned on an elevated block of almost 1400 square metres, the house is a just a short stroll from Manuka and close to the Parliamentary Triangle and some of Canberra’s best schools.

No. 36 Arthur Circle, Forrest, is for sale through Luton Property Manuka agents James Carter and Richard Luton. Phone 0413 974 912 or 0418 697 844. Tenders close at 5pm on Wednesday, May 25. EER: 3. Inspect: Saturday and Tuesday, by appointment only.