Buy or invest in Northern Suburbs

The best thing that I really enjoyed, and I saved a lot of money at the end, was the negotiation skills. If you like the property, what's the next step? How do you choose your lawyer? With the help of Propertybuyer you can make this tough decision, and know that it's the right decision, because you always bounce your idea back at your buyers' agent.

Moh and Yas

Partner with Australia’s most awarded Buyers Agency

38 Meaningful Awards Over 21 Years

The “Northern Suburbs” is not a clearly defined area, but is generally considered to be bordered by the Parramatta River to the south, Lane Cove National Park to the east, Pennant Hills to the west and Cowan to the north.

The real estate was previously typified by large blocks of land with bush outlooks, however many areas (particularly those south of the M2 with proximity to the train line) are rapidly increasing in density as older houses are redeveloped into townhouses and apartment blocks. Fortunately many parks and reserves remain close to houses in the region including Pennant Hills Park, Lane Cove National Park and numerous parks along the banks of the Parramatta River.

There is a strong and growing Asian population around Carlingford, Epping, Eastwood and Ryde that initially chose to live in the area due to the above average results from nearby schools and proximity to a rail line. Now that there is a large community, this is reason enough for many to purchase property in the area, which continuously supports price growth.

Recent purchases facilitated by our expert buyers' agents

Keno & Melanie's Story
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“Nick was cool, calm and collected in his bidding and we could tell that a ...”

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Patrick’s story
Investor

“tremendous support.”

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Alex & Naomi’s story
Homebuyer

“I am very satisfied with the results.”

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Gerald’s story
Homebuyer

“dependable and effective team working on their behalf.”

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Jane & Eden’s story
Homebuyer

“It is worth the money”

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Bradley's Story
Developer

“I am looking forward to taking on another one”

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Area information

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The Northern Suburbs Property Market

The Northern Suburbs contain a mix of old and new architecture and property styles. Ryde is the third oldest settlement in Australia after Sydney and Parramatta, and therefore has many heritage listed 19th century dwellings. The opening of the railway between Strathfield and Hornsby in the late 19th century boosted the population at the time but most growth took place following World War II, aided by industrial and commercial growth. Many apartments were built in Ryde and the surrounding areas in the 1960’s, supporting further population growth which has continued to the current day.

Today detached houses make up 50% or less of the dwellings in hubs such as Ryde and Hornsby, but they still make up the vast majority in areas that have been less developed such as Thornleigh and Mount Colah. Particularly in Ryde and the surrounding areas, the Asian community tend to prefer new or modern properties, which further supports new apartment and townhouse developments. As a result, many of the older houses present excellent value and some properties may be able to be developed in the near future.

With so many real estate options for sale in the Northern Suburbs, it’s helpful to have a local buyers’ agent who is aware of the current area trends and can help you make the best decision based on your individual needs. While the area is full of beautiful homes, it’s equally important to factor in the investment potential and buy a home that is both a financial asset and a wonderful place to live.

As buyers agents, our job is to help you find the property which fulfils your requirements on every level.

Northern Suburbs price growth will moderate in 2016 in line with the broader Sydney trend, however it will likely still show strong medium term growth due to the completion of Sydney Metro Northwest train line in 2019 and the rapid development and expansion of Parramatta and Macquarie Park in line with “A Plan for Growing Sydney.”

Location and Transport Links in Northern Suburbs

BUSES
Frequent buses travelling to and from all areas of city

FERRIES
Ferries to the city and Manly available from Watsons Bay and Rose Bay.

TRAINS
Bondi Junction train station is a great option to quickly travel throughout broader Sydney.

As mentioned above, houses in northern suburbs will benefit from the completion of Sydney Metro Northwest in 2019 which will have stops at Epping, Macquarie Park, Macquarie University and North Ryde. In addition, the light rail line from Strathfield to Carlingford and Westmead Hospital via Parramatta will also provide an economic boost to the area.

The light rail will support a strong existing public transport network, including the Strathfield to Hornsby train line, the Carlingford train line and an extensive bus network including express bus services to Denistone East via Ryde. A ferry service also operates from Circular Quay to Parramatta via Huntleys Point, Putney, Meadowbank and Rydalmere.

Shops and Restaurants in Northern Suburbs

There is an abundance of shopping options in the Northern Suburbs. Major shopping centres include the Macquarie Centre, Top Ryde Shopping Centre, Pennant Hills Market Place and Carlingford Court, as well as Stockland Baulkham Hill, Stockland Merrylands, Rhodes Waterside Shopping Centre, the Birkenhead Point Outlet Centre, Westfield Hornsby and Westfield Chatswood. Other areas such as Hunters Hill (next to Gladesville) have lovely shopping villages if you prefer more of a local village feel.

The Northern suburbs is probably best recognised for its large selection of quality Asian restaurants to choose from, particularly in the areas mentioned above with Asian communities.

School and Educational Facilities in Northern Suburbs

The Northern Suburbs and neighbouring North Shore and Hills Districts are known for their highly regarded schools. Some of these include Cherrybrook Technology High School, Epping Boys High School and Carlingford High School as well as nearby Castle Hill High School Baulkham Hills High School.

Macquarie University was recently ranked in the top 10 universities in Australia.

Recreation and Other Amenities in Northern Suburbs

As mentioned above, the Northern Suburbs are fortunate to have access to several large parks and reserves including Pennant Hills Park, Lane Cove National Park and many reserves fronting Parramatta River.

Suburbs to the north such as Asquith and Mount Colah also have direct access to the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the extensive Pittwater waterway via Bobbin Head. Once you’re at Bobbin Head, there is a scenic picnic ground, café and paddle boat hire. The area is also fantastic for cycling and hiking.

Golfers can try North Ryde or Ryde-Parramatta Golf Clubs. There are also many other options on the North Shore.

Event Cinemas has locations at both Ryde and Macquarie Park and small suburbs like Eastwood, Beecroft, Gladesville, Hornsby and Epping offer some great restaurant options.

Downsizers are well catered for by a range of amenities and local hospitals including Ryde, Macquarie and Macquarie University Hospitals. Towards Parramatta, the Children’s Hospital, Westmead Hospital and Cumberland Hospital are also easily accessible.

Buying a home in the Northern Suburbs offers access to great amenities, shopping and transport to the CBD. The range of property styles and sizes for sale ensures there is something to suit everyone.

Most budgets are catered for and capital growth is almost guaranteed, particularly south of the M2 due to its prominent position between the CBD and Sydney’s second and rapidly expanding city – Parramatta. Our buyers’ agents love helping people find property for sale in the Northern Suburbs as there are some truly wonderful properties to be found, some of which go for surprisingly realistic prices.

How our buyers' agents can help you find your dream property in Northern Suburbs

Find your next property using our expert Northern Suburbs buyers agent. The Northern suburbs is a very family friendly and more affordable area with a vast array of property types. The Northern Train line from the City to Hornsby and the recently expanded M2 motorway provide easy commuting access. We cover all points of the Northern suburbs from Macquarie Park, Pennant Hills, Hornsby, Dural to Eastwood, Epping, Northmead, Westmead and more.

Engage our expert Northern Suburbs Shore buyers’ agent to help you uncover the ideal suburbs and property type to suit your individual budget and requirements. Our expert Northern Suburbs buyers agent helps you to get ahead of other buyers and to secure your own property using their local knowledge and connections.

We help you uncover off market opportunities that you'd never discover looking on your own. Our Northern suburbs buyers agents have a substantial network to uncover more property for your shortlist. Get your weekends back and engage an expert Northern suburb buyers agent to put you on a path to property ownership faster.

Meet your buyers' agents in Northern Suburbs

Nick Taylor-Fick

PRINCIPAL - BUYERS' ADVOCATE

INNER WEST, NORTHERN SUBURBS, HILLS DISTRICT

With over 25 years’ experience as a qualified property valuer and buyers’ agent, Nick’s extensive knowledge of intrinsic property values and his highly personal approach to buying property ensures you peace of mind and confidence in finding the ideal property. Nick has an in-depth knowledge of Sydney’s Inner West, Northern Suburbs.

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"My wife and I are busy professionals and had been planning to buy our first home for years. We finally had our deposit saved when COVID hit. During this time of uncertainty we weren't sure whether to postpone our dream of buying our first home. It was at this time we decided to use a buyer's agent. We teamed up with Nick Taylor-Fick from Propertybuyer and found him to be a steady calm presence. Nick guided us through the whole process from developing our search criteria, to shortlisting options, all the way through to exchange (all of which happened within a month). He provided us with expert advice, asked the right questions and very quickly surmised what we were after. He was patient, showing us various types of houses across different locations, all the while managing our expectations. As we refined our vision, Nick found the home we wanted and negotiated everything to our satisfaction. We found him responsive and engaging, a true fount of property information. I would recommend Nick to any property novices such as ourselves!"

Frequently asked questions

Why do I need a buyers’ agent?

You will save yourself money, time and stress when you engage a professional buyers’ agent to help you with your next investment property purchase. You will be empowered with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about the value of a property without all of the sales “hype” often associated with property purchases – we protect you from making an emotional decision. You will have the benefit of our extensive research and analysis into past sales and comparable market data and will be protected from paying too much. You may also gain access to properties not yet advertised, otherwise known as “silent listings”.

Investors will gain access to our wide network of excellent investment opportunities and also get the inside knowledge of the best areas to invest. As property investors ourselves we understand the strict criteria required to buy high performing properties.

Our testimonials describe the ways we have been able to add value to our many clients. Most of our increasing client base stems from glowing referrals given by clients who have been impressed with the value and service we provide.

Does a buyers’ agent need to have a real estate background?

Yes. Rich Harvey, Director of Propertybuyer and his team have the expertise, knowledge and real estate background to deliver what they promise – many of the team are ex-real estate agents that have switched sides. Rich is a property investor himself, with a Masters in Economics, a Diploma of Property and is a Licensed Real Estate Buyers’ Agent. He is also a Member of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales. If you are looking for a buyers’ agent team with exceptional qualifications and over 60 years combined experience, that understands property investment analysis, market trends, and can think creatively and intuitively, then the Propertybuyer team is your smart choice. Read our testimonials and you will be impressed by the results – not only with investors, but also home buyers and corporate clients.

Is A Buyers’ Agent worth the money?

Yes! We regularly save clients far more than the fee we charge, through our understanding of the property market and our skilled negotiation techniques. We offer a fixed fee service. The advantage of the fixed fee structure is that you only pay the same fee regardless of the price of the property. There are three key areas you will get great value for money by engaging Propertybuyer:

1. Saving Time:

Reduce the time spent searching – You will need to look at between 50 to 100 properties to get a true understanding of the market.
Most buyers take between 6 to 12 months (or more) to buy – we can cut down the process to under 60 days
Lost leisure and family time due to searching and attending inspections on weekends
Time wasted at work calling real estate agents
The time it takes you to get full market knowledge

2. Saving Money:

Don’t risk making an emotional decision and pay too much
Negotiating is an art – we know the tricks of the trade to secure a property at the lowest possible price
Leverage your knowledge by tapping into ours
Get a professional evaluation done so you have confidence to pay the right price

3. Saving Stress:

Remove the stress and pressure of dealing with real estate agents in your search
Get the upper hand with a buyers agent by your side
Buy with confidence knowing you are getting totally independent advice
Remove the frustration of being constantly outbid at auction

A buyers’ agent can save you a packet of money if they are experienced, knowledgeable and have your best interests at heart. They can take the emotion out of the negotiation and auction process and give you accurate advice on property values. They should have an extensive database of agent contacts to help you find off-market properties.

How Do I find A Buyers’ Agent?

Apart from searching online, ask a local selling agent if they have seen a good buyers agent in action. You can also ask family, friends and work colleagues about their experience with using buyers agents.

An important question to ask a buyers agent is whether they are truly “exclusive” or “independent”. If they accept sales commission from vendors or developers then they cannot be classified as “independent” as they are acting in the interests of the seller. Only deal with a licensed buyers agent (you can check license via the Office of Fair Trading in each state) and one that is a recognised member of your state Real Estate Institute and the Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia.

There are seven factors to consider when selecting a good buyers agent.

Industry experience - ask how long the buyers agent has been operating?
Market coverage - what geographic specialisation do they have?
Results oriented - ask about case studies and testimonials from past clients - what have they achieved?
Network and contacts - can your buyers agent access off market properties easily?
Research system - ask what due diligence and research systems they have in place to evaluate properties and provide real time market insights.
Credentials - check licencing, qualifications and affiliations and if they have won awards.
Cost - confirm the fee structure and check they don’t get kickbacks from agents.

Is it affordable to use a buyers’ agent?

Yes. We typically save our clients far more than our fee in the transaction by negotiating well. We assist property buyers of all budgets, saving you money by doing extensive research and analysis, looking at comparable sales and market data, and by negotiating hard to secure the best price, terms and conditions possible. You will make an informed choice and will be confident that you have bought well, whatever your budget. It’s a small investment to make when you consider the savings you will make on your property purchase!

Are buyers’ agents fees tax deductible?

If you are purchasing a property for investment purposes, the cost of using a buyers’ agent is generally tax deductible (forms part of the acquisition or “cost base”). Check with your accountant to see if the fee would be tax deductible in your case. Unfortunately you cannot claim the fee as a tax deduction if the property is purchased to live in.

Do you offer any guarantees with your service?

Propertybuyer is currently the most awarded Buyers Agency in Australia, and this public scrutiny is an unbiased testament to our integrity, value and quality of service.

We guarantee not to waste your valuable time sourcing inappropriate properties. We will deflect all the stress and detail and save you months of endless searching. We will spend time with you up front so that we clearly understand your needs and will target the search based on agreed preferences. With our help, you will save time, money and stress on your next property purchase. You will gain access to more properties, be better informed about comparable sales, the true value of a property and capital growth projections for the area, and you will make a more informed decision. When you decide on the right property, we will negotiate for you so you will be able to make a rational decision about price without the stress and pressure of dealing with real estate agents or having to negotiate.

Do you have professional indemnity insurance?

We have professional indemnity insurance to $4 million.

What is the process and how long will it take?

Our average turnaround time for investors is around 30 days and for home buyers between 40 to 65 days. After the initial meeting, where our services are further explained, questions are answered and your “buyers brief” is established, an engagement fee is paid (this amount varies according to the service you choose). Once your finance is pre-approved, the engagement fee is paid, and you are ready to buy, the search begins. We conduct thorough research and then present you with a shortlist of properties. The decision to buy is then yours.

If I engage the services of propertybuyer, will you guarantee to find me a property?

Yes – as long as your buyers brief is realistic. We guarantee to give you personal and professional service and a detailed analysis on each property we evaluate, based on your specific criteria. At our initial meeting, we will listen carefully to find out your exact requirements. We will advise you before you engage us if your property brief is unrealistic. You will also need to have your finances ready or be pre-approved for a loan before the search can begin. Once these have been established, the search can take as little as a week (up to an average of about 4-6 weeks) depending on your wishlist and the market conditions.

We work with you in partnership to help you achieve your goals quickly and efficiently. You may cancel the agreement with notice in writing.

What happens if I change my mind on an area or a type of property once I engage you? Do I have to pay another engagement fee?

We will always be working in your best interests and realise that your ideas about the type of property you want may change. When we meet initially to discuss your “buyers brief”, we will work hard to ensure that your wishlist is achievable and also realistic, so the likelihood of changing your mind is reduced. However, if you change the initial brief significantly, there may be a review of the fee, and an additional fee would be charged to cover the time already spent searching. We will work with you to make sure you are completely happy with your next property purchase, even if you change your mind.

Buy or invest in Northern Suburbs