Australia’s dream of homeownership is threatened by not only the climbing house prices but also the significant rise in upfront buying costs. PropertyWiki's new research highlights the challenges prospective buyers face, showing an 18.62% increase in essential services like building and pest inspections, and conveyancing and legal fees in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane from 2022 to 2024.

The research is based on data from local service providers in these cities, who anonymously shared historical pricing for services related to a typical 3-bedroom house in inner-city areas. This direct approach ensures the report reflects the true costs buyers encounter..

The research particularly highlights the spike in conveyancing and legal fees, with Brisbane experiencing a 28.15% increase. These necessary services for home buying are becoming another significant obstacle due to their rising costs.

This uptick in upfront costs is particularly concerning as it represents a barrier many buyers must navigate even before owning their home. "Every potential homebuyer must prepare for these expenses, which come directly out of pocket, adding a substantial financial burden on top of already high property prices," said Nish Bandara, founder of PropertyWiki. "This situation underscores the multiple layers of financial pressure on Australians striving to purchase their own home."

The research indicates that these costs are not one-time fees but expenses that prospective buyers must be prepared to engage in every time they enter the process of buying a house. This requirement can deter many from even considering homeownership, further exacerbating the affordability crisis in the housing market.

For more details, visit https://propertywiki.com.au/buying-advice/the-hidden-costs-of-home-buying-in-australia-a-growing-barrier-to-ownership/.