Green Is Good: Prices Higher in Sydney’s Leafy Suburbs
New data suggests a correlation between greenspace and housing prices.
By Terry Christodoulou
Fri, Apr 23, 2021 2:30pm
2 min
2 min
Sometimes the grass is, in fact, greener.
The value of parks, trees and backyards is bolstering property prices in a number of “green suburbs” in Sydney according to data from Corelogic.
It comes as the post-COVID-19 world shifts towards a renewed focus on healthy, urban living with many cities nationally increasing parkland, cycle lanes and more.
Greenspace refers to public or private land that is completely or partly covered with grass, trees, shrubs or other vegetation. In Sydney, that looks like parks, community gardens, cemeteries, school yards, playground and vacant lots.
New findings from Corelogic suggest that there has been a direct increase in housing value premiums in suburbs across Sydney where the average of green or open space is higher.
Highest proportion of public greenspace
| Average house sale price 2019 | Average unit sale price 2019 | Average % public greenspace | |
| Heathcote – Waterfall | $912,937 | $622,500 | 80.50% |
| Berowra – Brooklyn – Cowan | $1,007,297 | $738,500 | 78.10% |
| Terrey Hills – Duffys Forest | $2,185,206 | $585,000 | 75.00% |
| Asquith – mount Colah | $1,065,767 | $660,995 | 66.30% |
| Menai – Lucas Heights – Woronora | $998,368 | $738,072 | 64.10% |
| Bayview – Elanora Heights | $1,871,173 | $1,718,333 | 57.80% |
| Woronora Heights | $1,095,702 | $976,250 | 57.40% |
| Turramurra | $1,924,818 | $993,229 | 57.00% |
| Helensburgh | $941,500 | $726,368 | 56.20% |
| Manly Vale – Allamie Heights | $1,795,322 | $722,182 | 52.70% |
^Source: Corelogic
“Our case study has revealed a positive correlation between housing values and greenspace,” Corelogic head of research Tim Lawless said.
“As Australia’s climate change strategies and domestic policy evolve over the years ahead, the market’s readiness to value ‘greenness’ as a tangible property feature may strengthen.”
“In areas where greenspace was scarce, such as the Eastern Suburbs and Inner City, private greenspace had a far stronger relationship with price,” Lawless added.
However, when compared to European cities, the correlation between greenspace and housing prices was low due to Sydney’s larger volume of greenspace.
For example, Sydney currently has 46% public greenspace while Amsterdam has 13% and London 33%.
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A Mid-Century Modern home in Carmel, California, hit the market on Friday for just the third time in 70 years with a listing price of $4.25 million.
Located in the community of Carmel Highlands, the house is just steps from the coastline and comes with private beach access, according to the listing with Tim Allen of Coldwell Banker Realty in Northern California. Allen was not immediately available for comment.
The property last changed hands in 2010 when Hollywood screenwriter Richard Outten bought it for $990,000, public records show. Outten penned the screenplays for the 1992 movie “Pet Sematary Two” and the 1987 film “Lionheart,” and created the story for the 2012 “Journey to the Center of the Earth” sequel, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.” He was not immediately available for comment.
Built in 1953, the home’s mid-century charm has been preserved over the years while still being updated for modern living. Interior details include wood paneling, exposed-brick walls and beamed ceilings.
The single-level house has 1,785 square feet, which includes three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Though not directly on the water, large windows flanking the adobe-brick, wood-burning fireplace look out at the ocean.
Sliding glass doors create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living. Outside, there’s a large patio surrounded by lush landscaping, and there are also meandering paths through sustainable succulent gardens, according to the listing.
In addition to its close proximity to the beach, the home is a 10-minute walk from downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea.
As of July, the median list price in Carmel is $3.1 million, up 8% from last year, even as active listings have increased 50% year over year, according to data from Realtor.com.
