According to the latest quarterly property sentiment report from ME, young first home buyers are looking far and wide for COVID-19 bargains.

More than 80 per cent of them (82 per cent) have agreed they hope to see bargain properties coming on to the market if the economy worsens, with more than half of first home buyers expressing an intention to jump on to the property ladder within the next 12 months.

Just 66 per cent of investors are hopeful of the same outcome.

For Andrew Bartolo, ME’s general manager home loans, first home buyers are “looking to find a silver lining in the current economic climate”.

He acknowledged a greater potential for property price falls, record-low interest rates and the abundance of government support, including the new HomeBuilder grants.

“Of course, this will be more realistic for those whose employment and income haven’t been affected as a result of the pandemic.” 

The COVID-19-spurred crisis has also opened up the potential for many of these potential purchasers to relocate regionally.

Two-thirds of would-be buyers (60 per cent) indicated they would be more likely to consider buying in a regional area during COVID-19, both to save money and improve their lifestyle.

“New remote and flexible working arrangements brought in to accommodate for COVID-19 have clearly influenced Australians’ sentiment towards buying in regional areas,” Mr Bartolo offered.

He said, “It’s now a more feasible option for many, and if prices are lower in those areas and you think it will improve your lifestyle – of course it’s an attractive possibility!”

“I think many Australians dream about moving to a regional area at some stage during their life, so it will be interesting to see how many do actually decide to pursue a sea or tree change, perhaps earlier than expected.”

In addition, more than half (52 per cent) of first home buyers have expressed an interest in using government support to accelerate their property ownership dreams.

Commenting on the strong interest from the demographic, Mr Bartolo said, “Hopefully the HomeBuilder grant will help more younger Australians get their foot in the door and increase buying activity in the wider market as a result.”

About the author

Grace Ormsby

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.

About the author

Grace Ormsby

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.

more on this topic

Property

Zagga's ninth anniversary sees focus on investor education in real estate private credit

In a significant milestone, Zagga, a key player in the Australian real estate sector, is celebrating its ninth anniversary with a renewed commitment to investor education. The company has grown ...Read more

Property

Australian property’s quiet pivot: resilience hides a new competitive map

Australia’s housing market remains sturdier than the macro noise suggests, but the sources of resilience have shifted. For operators, the profit pool is migrating from ‘volume at any price’ to ...Read more

Property

Gen Z’s 5% deposit rush: how policy‑driven demand is reshaping Australia’s housing value chain

A government-backed 5% deposit guarantee has triggered a surge in first-home buyer intent among Gen Z, pulling forward demand and resetting competition across banks, brokers and buildersRead more

Property

Cautious bidders, smarter sellers: a Queensland auction case study on repricing risk

Queensland’s auction market has hit a caution cycle as buyers price in higher borrowing costs, global uncertainty and cost-of-living pressure. Clearance softness is forcing agencies to re-engineer ...Read more

Property

Trust, technology and triage: what NSW’s ‘name and shame’ signals for real estate governance

NSW’s latest enforcement action on real estate trust accounts isn’t a one-off embarrassment; it’s a stress test of sector governance. With licences suspended and penalties applied, the message is ...Read more

Property

Vacancy is rising, demand is resilient: A case study in defending yield as Australia’s rental cycle rebalances

After a blistering run, Australia’s rental market is loosening at the edges. Vacancy is edging up off historic lows, rent inflation is set to moderate into 2026, yet underlying demand remains ...Read more

Property

Don’t lose the deposit: A case study in stopping real estate payment fraud — and the ROI for doing it

Deposit redirection scams are quietly eroding buyer savings and agency reputations in Australia’s property market. This case study unpacks how a mid-tier real estate group redesigned its settlement ...Read more

Property

The $12m threshold: Why portfolio value, not property count, now defines Australia’s investor elite

The old yardstick of six properties as shorthand for investment success has been overtaken by a harsher reality: in today’s market, elite status is defined by balance-sheet strength, not asset countRead more