What homes are young professionals looking for in Canberra and where can they find them?

A healthy household income and secure employment are the pathways to the property ladder for young professionals.

Andrew Potts of Independent Gungahlin says their priorities revolve around location, amenity and high-level inclusions.

“Young professionals tend to either have a little more capital behind them [or] greater lending power,” he says.

“This can propel them into a new range of options, whether it be an apartment, townhouse or detached home.”

Potts says established areas such as Campbell offer them the convenience to major attractions and recreational outlets along with dining and entertainment options.

“But proximity to the workplace is another factor and you’ll find also young professionals close to town centres like Greenway and Gungahlin,” he says.

“There’s further appeal in those areas as the dwellings also have bigger floor plans.”

Dan McAlpine of Belle Property Kingston says it’s difficult to generalise around young professionals as a demographic.

“I’ve had buyers in the price range from $600,000 to $2.5 million,” he says.

“Some may have made their own way up the property ladder – maybe exited the Sydney market – others may have benefited from an inheritance.”

McAlpine, however, says a home where everything has been “done” and is low maintenance usually figures highly on the wish list.

“Young professionals are often focused on career and become somewhat time-poor. They want a place where they can relax, entertain friends, or pop out for a bite or a workout,” he says.

“They are not fixated on any locations per se, just as long as what and where they choose can provide all those needs.”

• Fistful of dollars. A double income and secure employment inject real financial firepower into lending capacity for our young professionals. Equity from earlier homes or from other sources can melt a lender’s heart.
• Three amigos. Young professionals are looking at location, convenience and amenity. They want to be close to work with access to dining, entertaining and recreational options. It all adds up to “lifestyle”.
• Get out of Dodge. This demographic is looking to buy more than just bricks and mortar. They are buying time – a place to relax, entertain, or to zip out for a bite.

Allhomes’s top pic of homes for sale suitable for young professionals:

235/26 Anzac Park East, Campbell

Price guide: $860,000 +

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car spaces

Apartment living has strong appeal as a dwelling option that meets the busy lifestyle needs of young professionals, but also offers room for guests – or, perhaps, starting a family.

This contemporary three-bedroom apartment is located within the Greenwich Park development, part of the developing C5 precinct in Campbell. It’s an unrivalled location with easy access to the Australian War Memorial, Lake Burley Griffin, Mount Ainslie, the city and the parliamentary triangle.

Apartment design highlights include floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors alongside Anzac Parade with the boulevard’s mature trees providing additional privacy.

A thoughtful open-plan floor design (108 square metres and 27 square metres of balcony space) positions the bedrooms for maximum privacy either side of living spaces.

A large kitchen with breakfast bar enjoys Carrara marble work surfaces, a walk-in pantry, and integrated Miele appliances including induction cooktop, oven and dishwasher.

Other features include ducted heating and cooling, double-glazed windows, high-quality drapes, and engineered timber flooring. The high energy efficiency rating helps reduce those pesky power bills.

There’s also double car accommodation, storage enclosure and lift access from the basement to the apartment level.

Residents enjoy common facilities including a rooftop garden and barbecue area, sports and gaming bar, library and a private dining room with online booking. There’s a coffee shop and hairdresser on the ground level and a park just across the road.

Private sale

Agent: Independent Gungahlin, Andrew Potts 0404 895 162