The train station rule that boosts property capital growth

What is likely to underpin the capital growth of your next home or investment property?

Well, much of the heavy lifting – up to 80% – will be done by the location and around 20% will be determined by the type of property you buy in that location.

While home buyers and investors tend to consider factors such as the demographics of the area, jobs creation and supply and demand, some neglect to consider the developing infrastructure around their properties, promptly deciding that it’s not as important amenities like schools and universities.

But this is a mistake that could come back to bite you as recent studies have shown a property’s proximity to certain types of infrastructure have a direct influence over increases or reductions in value.

While being located close to freight infrastructure may be thought to decrease the value of a property – think loud, rattling trains in your property’s backyard – being in the vicinity of public transport infrastructure can in fact enhance capital growth.

But by how much? 

The benefits of buying near a train station

The Transit and Urban Renewal Value Creation report by Luti Consulting and Mecone Planning indicates that Sydney houses located between 800m and 1600m from a train station are boosted 0.3% in value.

The figures increase from here, as homes between 400m and 800m away receive an increase of 1.3% on land value.

And properties situated under 400m away from a train station enjoy 4.5% premium in land value on average.

These numbers demonstrate that proximity to public transport enhances demand and therefore likely capital growth for residential properties.

Eliza Owen, property analyst from OnTheHouse.com.au, explains:

“If you are looking for a property in a suburb with a train station, you don’t have to buy right next to the station to get higher growth.

 It is handy being close to cheap transport, but it is also a nuisance having the sound of a train fill your house when you are at home.

 Then again, train stations often have retail zoning around them, so being close to the corner shop is another benefit – however, areas near train stations can also have higher rates of crime, because it is easier for criminals to gain access to your suburb – another nuisance.

 So, there are benefits and detriments of being close to a station that are likely to affect the value of your house or unit.”

The infrastructure that diminishes capital growth

Don’t be tempted to buy a property on a main road – in my mind it’s a real estate no- no!

Even if you wouldn’t mind living on a main road, most people would. During good times, even secondary properties on main roads sell quickly, but when the market quietens down it’s harder to find tenants for main road properties and even harder to find buyers.

Sure properties on main roads are cheaper, but you make your money when you buy real estate by buying a great property – not a cheap property.

The Value Creation report also indicates that Sydney homes located within 100m of main roads suffer up to 7.6% loss of land value, while those situated between 100m and 200m may only face a 0.6% reduction.

While data and reports like this are valuable, they should be used as inspiration for your own research, rather than following their findings as a blanket rule for success.

You should ultimately be buying a property that is suitable to the demographic market of that specific neighbourhood.

If the local owner-occupier and rental market craves the convenience of a nearby train station, then buying as close as possible makes sense.

The only way to know this for sure is to do your due diligence and find out exactly what home buyers and tenants in your area want, so you can deliver to what they require.

Michael Yardney is a director of Metropole Property Strategists, which creates wealth for its clients through independent, unbiased property advice and advocacy. He is a best-selling author, one of Australia’s leading experts in wealth creation through property and writes the Property Update blog.