looking to buy

[ourhouse]

I am a first time buyer with a budget of 220-240k and want to buy a house in Melbourne. Can you help me with these questions
1. Is it true that I can get only maximum 7k as FHB grant.
2. I prefer to live in a 3BD house, what areas should I target (i can live anywhere except Sunshine precincts) but should be close to train station

 

[Luv2Travel]

I am a first time buyer with a budget of 220-240k and want to buy a house in Melbourne. Can you help me with these questions

2. I prefer to live in a 3BD house, what areas should I target

No offence, but that's a pretty tight budget for a 3 bedroom house in Melbourne. I think you'll need to be looking outer west around Werribee or Melton. Even then, I think you'll be looking at entry level properties, although I could be wrong. I don't know much about those areas except they're among the most affordable in Melbourne.

(i can live anywhere except Sunshine precincts) but should be close to train station

Just as well, because I think Sunshine is well and truly out of your price range as far as 3 bedroom houses go.

 

[Belu]

I havent bought/looked in melbourne for about 18 months but think you may need to re-adjust your price range or expectations.

a 3bed house for 220-240k close to a train station will be pushing it. Maybe Melton or Sunbury? But you would be pushing it there I would think...

 

[ourhouse]

Thanks guys. Please do suggest on those 2 questions in terms of 2BD unit, if house is not possible.

 

[myoung]

just sold a 3br house in Melton South for $237500. You can get them there for that, but will need work as mine did.

The other option for a house would be head down to Geelong - Corio and Norlane, not sure where the train stations are though but would still be within that price range.

 

[Belu]

even with a 2 bedroom unit - you would be looking at outer eastern maybe, zone 2 definitely.

 

[start-up]

I am a first time buyer with a budget of 220-240k and want to buy a house in Melbourne.

You're going to need a time machine.

 

[mary&mat]

How about further out around Frankston?

 

[stevie_sloth]

Oh wow, that budget’s even smaller than mine and I can’t afford anything in Melbourne anymore! Lol.

Firstly, yes, $7k is the FHG.

Secondly, no Sunshine precinct? Why not? (not to be rude, as I wouldn’t live there either! But am just curious about why you specified that area particularly as a no-go. There’s a train station there)

I’m also in the same boat in that I’d need to be near a station as I don’t drive. But my chosen areas are VERY expensive…Hampton, Elsternwick, Elwood, Armidale, Malvern, etc…so obviously your budget would be lucky to find a 1 bedroom or studio in those areas! My budget can get me a tiny 2 bedroom, maybe. BIG maybe.

Anyway, what areas are you interested in? You must have some sort of idea of where you’d like to live…but yeah, for that budget? I’d say forget the house. You could get a small but nice unit (not flat, but a ground floor unit set in a small complex of 2-6 or so around small gardens / driveway, you know the type I mean? They feel more house-like than a flat or apartment) in certain areas like out around Frankston. Not actually IN Frankston though, I’d say. Especially the really nice parts near the beach. What about places like Tyabb or Baxter or Somerville or something around there? Langwarrin maybe? Or going East of north Frankston to Carrum Downs, but not near the beach at all. There are stations there BUT not in Langwarrin I think and also once you go past Frankston you can only get the V-line regional trains…ugh. That could be a hassle.

Or what about somewhere like St Albans? Keilor? Melton? Airport West? Avondale Heights? Maribyrnong? Not sure if all of them have stations.

Or what about Heidelberg or Rosanna or places north? Basically I’m trying to think of places that are quite far out…cause the closer you get to the city, the less your money will buy.

 

[ourhouse]

Thanks stevie and others. I did some search seems like I can afford only where the last train station of zone 2 is areas like Werribee, Frankston, Lilydale, Craigieburn and Pakenham. I like Hills more than the beach, so will start looking towards Lilydale, Basin, Pakenham.

All I need is a small backyard, a garage, so a 2 bed unit should be fine. Sunshine, St. albans is dangerous for raising a family, so I don't prefer it. Melton should be good but I need to travel to CBD everyday for my job, is it possible to come from Melton to CBD in around an hour, how much frequency do the trains have?

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[stevie_sloth]

The Basin's nice. It's at the foot of the Dandenong mountains...you'd be more likely to get an actual house there cause there really aren't flats around I think...my best friend recently moved into a house in Selby (nearby), and it cost her I think in the high $200s...it's 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, huge yard, a nice house. She did buy it almost 2 years ago though.

What about Belgrave? There's a train station there, and a lovely street of cafes and shops.

Lilydale is alright. I've only been there once, when I was travelling for a weekend away at Healesville.

Pakenham...I don't care for that area myself, but if it suits you, it's all good.

I actually don't think Melton would be the best for travel to the CBD in under an hour, but I'm not sure. The normal metro train line ends at Sunshine on that line, and then the V-line trains are the only ones that go beyond that, to Melton...but maybe they'd be faster than normal suburban trains, who knows! lol

What about Altona, Laverton or Hoppers Crossing? Or Werribee? They're at the end of a train line (Werribee)

If you like hills more than beach, what about the northern and eastern areas? Hurstbridge, Heidelberg, Rosanna, Eltham, etc?

I was just looking at realestate.com.au and properties are more expensive than I thought...but here's some...

Beaconsfield (2 stops closer to the city than Pakenham)
http://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-beaconsfield-107011711

I know it's under contract, but it's a nice place, near the station and a good price.

Boronia (next suburb going towards the city from The Basin)
http://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-boronia-107001114

This isn't really close to Boronia Station, but it's not ridiculously far away and the local shops are quite good...some restaurants and cafes, a supermarket, etc.

I know it's also under contract and too expensive, but meh. lol.

This one's a lot cheaper but not close to the station...
http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-boronia-107003525

Narre Warren (a few stops closer to the CBD than Pakenham)
http://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-narre+warren-107012856

Would you consider Dandenong? Only 20-30 mins by train to the city. I know its reputation is bad, but I've been there a few times and it's not bad. Quite a nice / biggish shopping precinct.

http://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-dandenong-107002973

http://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-dandenong-106915990

What about Fawkner? The ad for this one says close to station, though it looks a bit far to me...
http://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-fawkner-106764937

Glenroy
http://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-glenroy-106983272

Werribee
http://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-werribee-106796804

http://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-werribee-107033396

Ok, that's it from me. I'm bored and tired now. lol

 

[ourhouse]

Thanks stevie for the wonderful options. Will do some more search and post my findings. My current gutfeel is that Werribee precinct is the only area where I can afford a property with a good backyard, bigger size, etc within this budget of 240k, if not I will wait another year to save some more deposit so that I can afford till 300k, hoping the properties don't again jump by 20% in 2011

I am planning to make trip to all these places first to get to know the areas and decide.

 

[Tony3008]

I actually don't think Melton would be the best for travel to the CBD in under an hour, but I'm not sure. The normal metro train line ends at Sunshine on that line, and then the V-line trains are the only ones that go beyond that, to Melton...but maybe they'd be faster than normal suburban trains, who knows! lol

Much faster, though very limited service during the day. Melton/SX 0720/0804; 0758/0842; 0828/0903, only six stops. Compare with Frankston which is a similar distance but just over an hour and 27 stops. Although Melton is served by VLine, it's in zone 2 for ticketing purposes.

TonyB

 

[stevie_sloth]

Hmm, well that's pretty good re the V-line from Melton to CBD. If it happened that your preferred travel times to get to work matched up with the timetabled services, that'd be pretty good. But (for me anyway), you'd want to actually be able to get around WITHIN Melton itself too, or nearby...like local shops, etc...or else you'd always be dependent on that infrequent V-line train to get ANYWHERE. And trust me, it's annoying and unpleasant to totally rely on a service that doesn't go very often.

Although, if you really don't mind that and think Melton could be good, you CAN get a lot for your money...

This one's just a bit over budget, but it's got 3 bedrooms...

http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-melton-107076188

Werribee I think is ok...I've been there a few times...it's got a shopping plaza http://www.marquandscorner.com.au/attractions.htm , Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee Park Mansion http://www.bcl.com.au/melbourne/views/m014.htm , the train goes express through certain stops on the way to & from the CBD and takes around 30 minutes apparently...on the way, in between Werribee and the CBD are several village-type places like Yarraville, Seddon, Newport, which are more expensive and fashionable these days, and close to the city...Spotwood is also there, which has Scienceworks Science Museum...and also, on the same train line (but a different branch of it), is Williamstown, which is a lovely area by the beach if you ever feel like a relaxing stroll with an ice cream one day. lol

I found this one too, which is really nice I think, and a good location.

http://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-werribee-106917522

I know nothing, but maybe Werribee will "boom" at some point in the nearish future cause of further developments and also the fact that previously feral areas like Yarraville and Newport are now trendy and people are being pushed further out (cause of budget constraints, like yourself for instance)...so that's good too.

And yeah, any place you might consider moving to, VERY MUCH go and visit it to see how you feel about it. Like, Melbourne has many many suburbs with a main street of shops, cafes, train station, maybe a tram or 2...but not all of them will suit you or make you feel good...

Once you narrow down the suburbs you like most, visit them several times at different times of day and night...wander around, off the main street(s), and see how the side streets feel, cause you'll most likely be in one of them.

 

[ourhouse]

In continuation to this thread, 'house and land' package also seems attractive to me. I'm ready to increase my budget to 350-370k if that can give me a new house on 500 sq m land

Can you guys suggest me good house and land builders who are buidling near (within 2-3km) to train station. I see lot of advt from Simonds home in Epping and Cranbourne. How are they? Any recommended house and land vendor which gives mate's discount and quality product on time.

 

[shim]

There is potential for new train line and stations in the Wydnhamvale area. For 350k, you can find a 3 bedroom with carpark there, land approximately 400 sqm.

If you need a train line now...maybe look into Weribee, hopperscrossing in the west. Or moving to East such as (Ringwood, Croydon, nice areas but more than 30km from the city) Even areas in the north such as (South Morang or Epping, train line is on its way!)