As first-home buyers enter the market later, many are buying with the long term in mind, choosing homes that can adapt to major life stages rather than simply getting a foot in the door.
The average age of Australia’s first-home buyers is now 34, according to Westpac, as affordability pressures reshape the path to ownership.
This comes as the average owner-occupier loan reached $735,000 in March 2026, rising to $860,000 in NSW, ABS data shows.
For first homebuyer Fauzia Hussein, 28, along with her fiance Dhruv Saggar, 30, this meant buying a two-bedroom off-the-plan apartment at Mirvac’s Highforest in West Pennant Hills, with future needs already in mind.
Dhruv Saggar (30) and Fauzia Hussein (28)
“We want to future-proof our home in line with our family plans,” Ms Hussein said.
Currently living with their respective parents in Penrith and Beecroft, the couple is looking forward to moving into their new home in late 2026, ideally in time to begin their life together.
Both legal professionals in Sydney, Ms Hussien still pointed to how expensive house prices were as another factor for the pair’s timing.
“Initially we were aiming for a house and we didn’t realise how truly expensive it was until we started searching,” she said.
“It was the aspect of how ridiculously expensive houses are to the point where it really just became a question of do we want to stretch our finances and purchase a house or do we want something that’s comfortable that won’t necessarily stretch us.
“We are still able to meet our day-to-day expenses and have finances to go travelling, still have lunches and dinners, being able to maintain a level of normalcy, instead of being sucked into paying a mortgage, going to your 9 to 5 and repeat.”
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The couple purchased a two-bedroom apartment off the plan at Mirvac’s Highforest in Sydney’s West Pennant Hills
Ms Hussein said the space was also big enough for a small family.
“Given how difficult it is for people our age to purchase a house, we definitely just wanted something where we weren’t overspending but was still comfortable enough to match our lifestyle,” she said.
Mirvac’s General Manager of Sales and Marketing Lisa Taylor said the needs of today’s first home buyers often reflect their stage of life.
“We used to refer to home ownership as a property ladder, however, today’s first home buyers are typically established professionals, and we’re seeing them take a more considered approach – purchasing homes that are well suited to their long-term plans rather than starting with a smaller, entry-level option,” Ms Taylor said.
“Buyers are making their first home count. They are entering the market with a level of confidence, investing in quality homes and planning for stability, which may mean fewer moves over their lifetime.”
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Mirvac’s Highforest in Sydney’s West Pennant Hills renders
Highforest offers homes from $885,000 through to more than $3.5m
Ms Taylor said residential communities like Highforest are helping to broaden access for first home buyers in established suburbs.
“West Pennant Hills has traditionally been a premium market, with median house prices close to $2.8m and apartments around $1.6m.
“Highforest has introduced a broader mix of homes, creating an opportunity for buyers to access a high-quality product at a more considered price point, from $885,000 through to more than $3.5m.”
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