Buyers Agency Insights: The Fastest and Slowest Cities to Save for a First Home Deposit in 2025

Introduction

In 2025, the journey to homeownership in Australia remains challenging, with significant variations in affordability across cities. Factors such as property prices, wage growth, and living expenses influence the time required to save for a deposit. This article explores the cities where first-home buyers can achieve their goals the fastest and those where the path to homeownership is the longest.

Make Your Family Home Your Dream Property

At Pivot Property Buyers, through our investment arm Pivot Invest, we provide first-home buyers with a strategic roadmap to navigate these challenges, ensuring their investment decisions align with long-term financial growth. A buyer’s agent is a licensed professional who represents the buyer in the property purchasing process, assisting clients in property evaluation, negotiating prices, and managing legal paperwork. A buyers agent is crucial in navigating the property market, streamlining the buying process, and providing personalised support. Our buyers agents are highly qualified and licensed, ensuring that clients receive expert guidance throughout their property journey. Additionally, a buyers advocate offers specialised services, working solely in the buyer’s best interest to search, negotiate, and close on properties. Our buyers advocates provide affordable and valuable services, making professional property support accessible to a wider range of clients.

We also help clients purchase investment properties by outlining strategies, location guidance, and critical financial metrics. When purchasing an investment property, we guide clients through various stages and considerations, including strategy development, market insights, and tax implications. Our expertise in the Melbourne property market ensures that clients can navigate the complexities of buying real estate in this area. We coordinate with mortgage brokers to streamline the home-buying process, ensuring clients receive professional guidance throughout. Access to off market property listings provides a competitive advantage, enabling clients to secure valuable investment opportunities not available to the general market. Our property buyers agents simplify the real estate process, leveraging local market expertise and negotiation skills.

For property investors, we offer tailored solutions to identify high-growth investment opportunities. Throughout the property journey, we guide clients through each step, from initial consultations to closing deals. Our agents negotiate the purchase price on behalf of clients, ensuring they secure the best possible deal. With our deep understanding of the real estate market, we help clients make informed decisions. A real estate agent plays a crucial role in the property purchasing process, liaising with other professionals to ensure a smooth transaction. Understanding the different real estate agents and agencies is essential for effective negotiation and securing the best property deals.

Understanding the Home Buying Process with a Buyer’s Agent

Navigating the home buying process can be complex, but working with a buyer’s agent can simplify the journey and ensure a successful outcome. A buyer’s agent represents the buyer’s interests, offering expert guidance every step of the way. Buyer’s agents must be licensed in their respective states and typically belong to professional organisations, ensuring they meet high professional standards.

The process typically begins with a consultation where the buyer’s agent discusses the buyer’s needs, budget, and preferences. This initial meeting sets the foundation for a tailored property search. The buyer’s agent then conducts a thorough property search, including off-market properties that may not be listed publicly, to find the right property for the buyer.

Once a potential property is identified, the buyer’s agent performs due diligence to assess its market value and potential risks. This involves reviewing property reports, inspecting the property, and researching the local property market. Armed with this information, the buyer’s agent develops a negotiation strategy to secure the property at the best possible price.

Throughout the process, the buyer’s agent provides regular updates and maintains open communication with the buyer to ensure their needs are met. Additionally, a buyer’s agent offers valuable insights into the local property market, helping the buyer make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of the property purchase.

By leveraging the expertise of a buyer’s agent, first-home buyers can streamline their property search and increase their chances of finding the right property that aligns with their goals.

Benefits of Working with a Buyers Advocate

Navigating the property market can be a daunting task, but working with a buyers advocate can transform the experience into a seamless and rewarding journey. A buyer’s agent, a licensed professional who represents the buyer during the property purchasing process, brings expertise in negotiation, market knowledge, and the ability to save clients time and money. Here are some key benefits of enlisting the expertise of a buyers advocate:

1. Expert Knowledge of the Local Property Market: Buyers advocates possess in-depth knowledge of the local property market, ensuring that clients make well-informed decisions. Their expertise allows them to identify the best opportunities and provide valuable insights into market trends and property values.
2. Time and Effort Savings: The property search and purchase process can be time-consuming and complex. Buyers advocates handle every aspect, from initial consultations to final negotiations, saving clients significant time and effort. This comprehensive support allows clients to focus on their daily lives while the buyers advocate manages the details.
3. Negotiating the Best Possible Price: With a deep understanding of the property market, buyers advocates are skilled negotiators. They work tirelessly to secure the best possible price for their clients, ensuring that they get the most value for their investment.
4. Unbiased Advice: Buyers advocates provide unbiased advice, acting solely in the best interests of their clients. This client-focused approach ensures that all recommendations and decisions are made with the client’s goals and preferences in mind.
5. Access to Off-Market Properties: Leveraging their extensive network of real estate agents and industry contacts, buyers advocates can access off-market properties and exclusive listings. This access provides clients with opportunities that are not available to the general public, giving them a competitive edge in the property market.
6. Thorough Due Diligence: Buyers advocates conduct comprehensive due diligence, identifying potential risks and ensuring that clients make well-informed investment decisions. This process includes reviewing property reports, inspecting properties, and researching the local property market to uncover any issues that may affect the investment.
7. Stress-Free Property Purchase Experience: With a buyers advocate handling every detail, clients can enjoy a stress-free property purchase experience. From property search to closing the deal, buyers advocates ensure that the entire process is smooth and professionally managed.
8. Achieving Investment Goals: Whether clients are looking for their dream home or a high-growth investment property, buyers advocates help them achieve their investment goals. By providing tailored strategies and expert guidance, buyers advocates ensure that clients make smart, strategic property purchases that align with their long-term objectives.

In summary, working with a buyers advocate offers numerous benefits, from expert market knowledge and time savings to access to exclusive properties and thorough due diligence. With a buyers advocate by your side, you can confidently navigate the property market and achieve your homeownership or investment dreams.

Fastest and Slowest Cities to Save for a First Home Deposit

Saving for a first home deposit can be a daunting task, especially for those who are new to the property market. The time it takes to save for a deposit varies significantly depending on the city and its property market. In this section, we will explore the top 5 fastest and slowest cities to save for a first home deposit.

Top 5 Fastest Cities

1. Hobart: With a median house price of around $430,000, Hobart is one of the most affordable cities in Australia. The average time it takes to save for a 20% deposit in Hobart is approximately 4.5 years. This makes it an attractive option for first-home buyers looking to enter the property market quickly.
2. Adelaide: Adelaide boasts a median house price of around $440,000, making it another appealing choice for first-home buyers. The average time required to save for a 20% deposit in Adelaide is around 5 years. The city’s affordability and steady property market growth make it a viable option for those looking to invest in real estate.
3. Perth: With a median house price of around $480,000, Perth offers a relatively quick path to homeownership. The average time to save for a 20% deposit is approximately 5.5 years. Perth’s property market provides a balance of affordability and potential for future growth, making it a solid choice for first-home buyers.
4. Brisbane: Brisbane’s median house price is around $540,000, and the average time it takes to save for a 20% deposit is around 6 years. The city’s growing property market and vibrant lifestyle make it an attractive destination for first-home buyers looking to invest in their future.
5. Canberra: With a median house price of around $620,000, Canberra requires an average of 6.5 years to save for a 20% deposit. Despite the higher prices, Canberra’s stable property market and strong economic fundamentals make it a worthwhile consideration for first-home buyers.

Darwin: The Quickest Route to Homeownership with Real Estate Agents

Darwin offers first-home buyers the fastest pathway to homeownership. Saving for a 20% deposit on an entry-level house takes just 3 years and 5 months, while an entry-level unit requires only 2 years and 1 month—the shortest timeframe across all Australian capitals. (Domain First-Home Buyer Report 2025)

Pivot Property Buyers, through Pivot Invest, helps clients leverage these opportunities by focusing on markets with strong rental demand and capital growth potential.

Sydney: The Most Challenging Property Market

Sydney remains the most expensive city for first-home buyers. The time required to save for an entry-level house deposit is 6 years and 9 months, the longest of any city. Even for units, first-home buyers need 4 years and 4 months to reach a 20% deposit. The high cost of living and rising property prices continue to make Sydney the most challenging market. (Domain First-Home Buyer Report 2025)

At Pivot Property Buyers, through Pivot Invest, we focus on blue-chip properties in proven markets, ensuring clients invest in properties with historically strong performance rather than speculative ‘hot spots. ‘

The Advantage of Choosing Units Over Houses for Property Investment

Opting for units can substantially reduce the time needed to save for a deposit. Across Australia’s capital cities, saving for a 20% deposit on an entry-level unit takes an average of 20 months less than for a house. In Sydney and Canberra, this difference is even more pronounced—2 years and 5 months less in Sydney and 2 years and 4 months less in Canberra.  (Domain First-Home Buyer Report 2025)

Pivot Invest helps clients understand the financial implications of their property choices and provides tailored strategies, including detailed portfolio planning to map out future investments.

Regional Variations in Saving Times in the Local Property Market

The time required to save for a deposit varies significantly between regions.   Melbourne, Canberra, and Darwin saw improvements in affordability, with the time to save for an entry-priced house decreasing over the past year. Conversely, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth experienced an increase in saving time due to strong property price growth. In Adelaide, for example, entry-house prices surged by 82.5% over five years, adding substantial hurdles for first-home buyers.  (Domain First-Home Buyer Report 2025)

Pivot Property Buyers conducts in-depth location analysis, evaluating over 1,869 markets nationwide to pinpoint investment opportunities that balance affordability with long-term growth.

Understanding regional differences in saving times is crucial for first-home buyers. By considering factors such as property type and location, prospective homeowners can make informed decisions and potentially expedite their journey onto the property ladder.

Pivot Property Buyers’ proprietary Pivot Pinpoint System ensures that clients invest in the top 2% of properties within any given suburb, maximising potential for long-term capital growth.

As affordability varies across cities, exploring alternative strategies such as rentvesting, government support schemes, and buying in emerging markets can help first-home buyers navigate the challenges of entering the property market.

The Importance of Due Diligence in the Sydney Property Market

Due diligence is a critical step in the property buying process, involving a thorough examination and evaluation of a potential property investment. This step ensures real estate buyers make informed decisions and avoid costly surprises down the track.

What is a good Buyers Agent Worth?

Experienced buyers agents play a pivotal role in conducting due diligence. They assess the market value of suitable properties and identify potential risks by reviewing property reports, performing building and pest inspections, and researching the local property market. This comprehensive evaluation helps buyers understand the true value of the property and any issues that may affect their property investing decisions.

Due diligence also includes examining the property’s condition, legal status, and compliance with local regulations. By conducting these checks, buyers can ensure they are making a smart investment, particularly when purchasing their first investment property or adding to their property portfolio.

Property investment professionals provide insider knowledge and expert advice on property values and trends, helping buyers navigate the complexities of the buying process. They also assist in negotiating the right price based on the results of the due diligence, ensuring that buyers gain access to the most value for their investment.

Additionally, a property manager can offer valuable insights into property management considerations, especially for investors seeking to maximise returns. Engaging with selling agents through private sale opportunities is another way buyers can secure their dream property or ideal family home.

Understanding buyer’s agent’s fees and recognising the buyers agent worth in property transactions can significantly enhance the whole process, guiding buyers away from unsuitable properties and towards successful outcomes. Membership or affiliation with professional bodies, such as the Real Estate Institute or Estate Buyers Agents Association, also indicates an agent’s extensive knowledge and commitment to industry standards.

In summary, due diligence is essential when buying property. It helps buyers make informed decisions, avoid potential pitfalls, and secure a property that meets their needs and expectations. With the support of a buyer’s agent, buyers can confidently navigate the Sydney property market and achieve their property goals.

Conclusion

Saving for a first home deposit can be a challenging task, but understanding the property market and the time it takes to save for a deposit can help first-home buyers make informed decisions. By working with a buyers agent or advocate, first-home buyers can navigate the property market with confidence and find the right property at the right price. Whether you’re looking to buy in one of the fastest or slowest cities, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of the property market and the factors that affect it.

A buyers agent provides invaluable support throughout the property journey, from initial consultations to closing deals. Their expertise in the local property market, negotiation skills, and access to off-market properties can significantly enhance the home-buying experience. By leveraging the knowledge and experience of a buyers agent, first-home buyers can achieve their homeownership dreams more efficiently and effectively.