LEAFY FUTURE CONTINUES FOR PERTH'S WESTERN SUBURBS
April 2005

With four of Perth's top 6 best long-term performing areas lying within the prestigious western suburbs*, it's no wonder they continue to be a real estate drawcard.

And according to Trevor Dunkley, Director of Subiaco property buyers' consultancy Property Wizards, the intense interest in the western suburbs will only grow further.

"There's no doubt there's a certain amount of prestige and exclusivity associated with living in areas like Cottesloe, Dalkeith and Subiaco due to the great lifestyle attractions they offer - and with plans to improve many of those facilities their popularity is destined to increase," he said.

Mr Dunkley said new demand was largely being fuelled by local and interstate professionals.

"Much of the growth is being driven by the single professional and couples who want to live an upmarket lifestyle and will pay big dollars to get in there," said Mr Dunkley.

"Just as importantly, many well-established families are also keeping demand high, keen to send their children to some of the state's top private schools."

Mr Dunkley said apart from the presence of prestigious schools, there were countless other reasons making it the most exclusive area for Perth real estate.

"The western suburbs offer an enticing mix of properties boasting some of the best river and ocean views in Perth. They are either close to the city or beach and many like Claremont and Subiaco offer fabulous shopping strips or centres and great public transport facilities, not to mention quality cafes and restaurants," he said.

"On top of all that, areas like Dalkeith and North Fremantle boast many homes overflowing with character and history, as well as beautiful streetscapes.

"Few other areas across Perth have as much to offer as those in the western suburbs, so it's no surprise the homes there are so highly sought after."

Mr Dunkley said there were still good opportunities for people to snap up homes in the western suburbs in the $500,000 to $800,000 price bracket.

"It is not uncommon that at any time, about half of all the properties on the market in the western suburbs are priced below $800,000," he said.

"The suburbs to look more closely at are Daglish, Jolimont, Wembley, Wembley Downs and Shenton Park.

"Earlier this month, more than 80 per cent of the properties advertised in those suburbs were under that $800,000 price tag - and those areas still offer most of the benefits of their more-expensive, neighbouring suburbs."

But Mr Dunkley warned each home should be researched on its merits, as not all properties based within the western suburbs would achieve exceptional growth.

*North Fremantle, Cottesloe, Dalkeith and Subiaco have each recorded more than 10% growth per annum over each of 5 measured periods, ranging from 1 year to 30 years.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Western Suburbs

Top Schools:

Scotch College, Swanbourne; Christ Church Grammar School, Claremont; Methodist Ladies' College, Claremont; St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls, Mosman Park.

Top Restaurants:

The Witch's Cauldron, Subiaco; Mead's, Mosman Park; Oceanus, City Beach; Indiana Tea House, Cottesloe.

Top Shopping strips:

Rokeby Rd & Hay Street, Subiaco; The Colonnade, Subiaco; Bayview Tce Claremont

Top Beaches:

Cottesloe; City Beach; Floreat; Swanbourne.

River hot spots:

Matilda Bay, Crawley; Mosman Bay, Mosman Park.

For more information, please contact
Mr Trevor Dunkley
Director
Property Wizards
trevor@propertywizards.com.au
Tel: (08) 9381 7450