New research dispels property myths

“While suburbs with train stations generally experience higher growth than suburbs without, a railway station does not always mean higher property value growth,” it said.

In addition, Onthehouse.com.au said “it doesn’t matter where in the suburb you buy, unless the suburb is popular with millennials”.

The research showed that suburbs with stations generally experience higher capital growth rates than the Sydney region’s 10-year average.

Onthehouse.com.au cited the City of Blacktown Council area as an example, where suburbs with stations had median house prices about 3.7 per cent above those without.

The research also observed that suburbs with a median age demographic below the national average of 37 presented a stronger relationship between proximity to a station and higher rates of growth.

“An example of this is Lidcombe, where properties within a 1km radius of Lidcombe Station were valued 2.1 per cent higher (about $20,000 more) than properties situated outside the radius.”

According to Onthehouse.com.au market analyst Eliza Owen, millennials are increasingly a driving force for property values.

“With a median age of 33 and with over 22 per cent of the workforce made up of professionals who benefit from easy access to the Sydney CBD, Lidcombe is a great example of how millennials are driving the change in property values in suburbs that have train stations,” Ms Owen said.

Onthehouse.com.au said there were seven suburbs to watch based on their millennials populace and coming infrastructure projects – including the heavy rail project that will connect Sydney’s north-western suburbs to the Chatswood line by 2019 and the new light rail service from the CBD to the eastern suburbs.

[Related: Sydney property boom locks out new home buyers]