Inner Sydney median prices continue to decline: HTW residential

Market activity has generally been subdued within inner Sydney over the past six months, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 

The report suggests that prices have continued to decline in all but the bluest of blue chip areas.

"Within the CBD itself, unit prices have been declining since 2017, largely due to continued supply and decreasing investor demand," the valuation firm said. 

Realestate.com.au shows a decline in the median unit sale price for the suburb of Sydney from $950,000 in January 2019 to $925,000 in March 2019, after a peak of $1.1 million in 2017.

The perennially oversupplied Green Square area of Sydney (covering parts of Zetland, Alexandria and Waterloo) has also fared badly.

Its median prices fell from $900,000 in January 2019 to $875,000 in March 2019 alone, after a 2017 peak of $955,000, according to realestate.com.au. 

Furthermore the strong supply pipeline is set to continue throughout the next 18 months, with multiple new developments due for settlement, all at a time when investor demand is decreasing.

Median house prices have also been decreasing since the start of the year with inner suburbs on the western side of the CBD such as Forest Lodge.

Its median house price declined from a median of $1.5 million in January 2019 to $1.39 million at the end of the first quarter of 2019.

Realestate.com.au indicates that the median price there peaked at $1.78 million in 2017.

On the eastern side of the CBD, the diminutions have been less severe, with Paddington decreasing from an overall market cycle peak of $2.34 million at the start of 2019 to $2.27 million in March 2019 according to realestate.com.au.

"The inner city has a multitude of property types and price points," the valuation firm said.

"The price point seeing the most value retention in the current market appears to be affordable one and two-bedroom units within suburbs along the city’s eastern fringe, particularly those more suited to owner-occupiers – those in well finished buildings, boutique or well- regarded complexes, with views and parking being particularly sought after.

According to realestate.com.au, units in Potts Point have remained generally stable in price since the start of 2019, with medians of $785,000 in January 2019 and $778,000 in March 2019.

"There have been some weaker results for two bedroom units in trendy Surry Hills." 

For example 507/437 Bourke Street (pictured above), a two-bedroom warehouse conversion sold for $1.6 million in April 2019 after being purchased for $1,655,000 in April 2016.

Furthermore, 36/45-49 Holt Street (pictured above), a semi-modern two-bedroom unit within 500 metres walk of Central Station sold for $1,002,000 in March 2019, previously selling for $1.1 million in June 2016.