As Sydney's traditional inner-ring markets continue to tighten, Hornsby is emerging as hotspot for first-time buyers and investors.
Sitting just 25km north of Sydney's CBD, Hornsby is a location that has long been overlooked in the city's shadow.
But buyers are increasingly waking up to its potential as a suburb with everything they need close by.
Residents can jump on an express train and be in the city in within an easy commute, nature lovers will appreciate the many parks, and families benefit from access to top education facilities.
Plus, Westfield Hornsby is at the heart of the suburb, offering favourite shops, cafes, and restaurants under one roof.
Given all its upsides, buyers have been flocking to the suburb in recent years, driving strong growth when it comes to the data.
Realestate.com.au shows prices are up a healthy 3.9% in the past 12 months alone, with rental yields of 4.8%.
First-time buyers and investors are taking notice of the northern Sydney suburb of Hornsby.
Why Hornsby is Sydney’s next hotspot
Hornsby's rising appeal is driving new opportunities throughout the postcode, with high-end developments offering comfortable living and redefining the landscape.
A recent project catering to elevated living is Habitat Hornsby, aimed at addressing the suburb's undersupply of high-quality multi-bedroom apartments.
"It's a boutique development, but we have 67 apartments, predominantly 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom," shares Haitchin Group General Manager Robert Tasevski.
“This represents something relatively new for the area, appealing to first home buyers, young families, and downsizers attracted to three-bedroom apartments."
The layouts, designed for comfortable living, are just under 100sqm, featuring open-plan designs that lead to usable balconies.
According to Mr Tasevski, "the demographics in Hornsby are quite mixed".
"We've got some older couples, but then there's the young generation that's coming through as well. So we've made something appealing to these buyers as well as investors,” he says.
"For someone thinking about moving into an apartment, it's a good size to transition from a home to an apartment. People can buy today and then rent it out as an investment property for however many years, and as they get closer to retirement, they can move in."
Habitat Hornsby is a boutique residential project in the heart of the growing suburb.
How design and lifestyle sets Habitat apart
Sizeable living is not the only appeal, with Habitat aiming for beauty as well as functionality.
The project has been designed by Tony Owen Architecture and features a signature of organic expression.
"It's an absolutely beautiful building, it's got those nice, curved balconies," shares Mr Tasevski.
The 12-storey building is crowned by a rooftop retreat that offers stunning 360-degree views and wellness amenities.
"We've got an outdoor barbecue area and a communal space where families and friends can gather for birthdays or other events,” Mr Tasevski says.
"There are veggie patches where residents can plant herbs, flowers, or whatever they like. We've also got fitness machines on both the west and east sides, with four or five different spots where you can exercise.”
The commitment to quality carries to inside the dwellings with interiors designed by Place Studio.
The apartments also have views of panoramic views to Berowra Valley and Ku-ring-gai National Parks and buyers will be well located with the Westfield just 200m away.
Mr Tasevski adds that it's rated by WALKSCORE as almost twice as walkable as the Sydney CBD.
With signature design and an unbeatable location, Habitat Hornsby is one of the suburb's standouts.
Why buyers are looking now
Habitat is now selling off-the-plan, with buyers once again embracing new build purchases, after several years of buyers shying away from new developments.
Mr Tasevski credits this to people being drawn to Haitchin’s reputation as a trusted developer.
He explains that buyers want certainty and this project builds upon the company's proven track record, following their soon-to-be-completed premium development, Infinity Park Norwest.
He also points to new safeguards for buyers, including Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), which provides 10-year coverage on the building’s structure waterproofing for off-the-plan properties.
"You buy a new luxury car, you get a warranty, so when you buy a luxury apartment, why shouldn't you get a warranty too?" says Mr Tasevski.
PRD Norwest Director David Inkster says the project is coming at the perfect time, as “off the plan investors are showing increased confidence, bolstered by a belief that economic conditions are improving."
"Unlike last year, where potential buyers hesitated, there's a marked shift toward commitment when the right property is in the right location,” he says.
“The off-the-plan apartment market in Sydney is not just surviving; it is adapting and evolving in response to buyer needs, setting the stage for a promising future,” says Mr Inkster.
“As developers continue to innovate and respond to market demands, it appears that the off-the-plan investors are on the cusp of a significant revival."
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