Prepare a checklist of 'must-have' features: Tips for expat Australian property buyers

You can use this checklist when identifying possible buys on the internet and for use by real estate agents, buyers’ agents and any relatives who may be inspecting properties on your behalf.

Before preparing the checklist, it is worth considering what types of properties and locations appeal to other Australian expats.

Shayne Harris of Savills Australia says expats typically want homes within five kilometres of the CBD near good schools, beaches, restaurants and cafes.

“They are going to be working long hours when they return to Australia and want to be in and out of the office in a reasonable time.”

And Harris says expats usually want north-facing backyards and quiet streets. He tells buyers that they can change almost anything with a house except the shape and the aspect of its block.

Peter Kelaher, managing director of Sydney buyers’ agent PK Property Search and Negotiators, says that expat buyers tend to want homes with “postcard” views.

“In Sydney, they really want water views, ideally including the iconic views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

“A lot of expats – particularly those posted in Hong Kong and Singapore – live in apartments,” Kelaher adds. This means many want Australian houses on big blocks of land.

Property specialists interviewed say expats returning to live in Sydney favour such suburbs as Mosman, Neutral Bay, Roseville and Lindfield on the lower north shore as well as such suburbs as Point Piper, Bellevue Hill and Potts Point in the eastern suburbs. And many expats like the eastern beach suburbs.

Rich Harvey of propertybuyer points to the “golden triangle” of top streets on Balmoral Slopes as a Sydney favourite among expats.

In Melbourne, Ross Savas of Kay & Burton Real Estate names Toorak, South Yarra, Hawthorne, Canterbury, Brighton and Albert Park among the preferred suburbs of cashed-up expats.

“They want quality homes in quality suburbs.”

It should be emphasised, however, that there are two sides to the expat property market. While expats in senior positions are looking for properties typically costing upwards of $3 million, younger expats with less-senior jobs may be hunting for properties selling for $1 million plus.