House values on the Northern Beaches boomed 38.7 per cent after the pandemic hit, then dropped 20.1 per cent.The beaches are not easily accessible for CBD office workers.Sydney’s northern beaches has long been nicknamed the ‘Insular Peninsula’ for being an idyllic part of the city that is hard for outsiders to access.The northern beaches was one of the hottest property markets at the height of the pandemic.
Affordability has begun to bite as borrowing money has become more expensive, especially when servicing near-record property prices. And some pre-pandemic trends have returned, including living close to work and amenities. “They’re not the 9-to-5 commuters generally speaking and that provides more options for them than the emerging generation and the family formers,” he said.And with the rising cost of living, McCrindle said homeowners are trading lifestyle for affordability again.
“They were all very concerned they would never be able to afford property. But the last few apartments I’ve opened in the area, they’re excited because for the first time in years they’re in a position to buy something.” “The lockdown really highlighted that if you live in an area where not much is happening and you can only go within 5km of your house you’re a bit stuck,” she said.