First Home Buyer Guide

Buy Your First Home in Carlton

More affordable than Kogarah with its own station—Carlton is savvy first home buyer territory.

$530K

Entry Unit Price

$1.45M

Entry House Price

7/10

FHB Suitability

20-28 min via Princes Hwy

to Sydney CBD

Start Your Search Check Your Eligibility

First Home Buyer Grants & Incentives 2026

NSW offers generous support for first home buyers. Here's what you may be eligible for when buying in Carlton.

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

$10,000

New homes up to $750,000

Stamp Duty Exemption

Up to $31,000 saved

Properties under $800,000

First Home Guarantee

5% deposit (no LMI)

Income up to $125,000 (single) / $200,000 (couple)

Family Home Guarantee

2% deposit

Single parents with dependents

Calculate Your Savings

Why Carlton is Great for First Home Buyers

Carlton scores 7/10 for first home buyer suitability. Here's why.

Affordability

Entry units from $530K
Entry houses from $1.45M
Stamp duty exemption for units under $800K

Commute & Transport

Carlton Station (T4, T8 Lines)
Direct CBD trains
Bus to Kogarah/Hurstville
20-28 min via Princes Hwy to CBD

Lifestyle & Amenities

Carlton Station
Carlton Hotel
Carlton village shops

Growth Potential

Carlton has grown 8.5% (houses) and 5.2% (units) in the past 12 months. Your first home could be a strong long-term investment.

+5.2%

Unit Growth (12 months)

5 Steps to Buying Your First Home in Carlton

Get Pre-Approved

Talk to a mortgage broker to understand your borrowing capacity and get pre-approval.

Research & Shortlist

Work with Michael to identify suitable properties in your budget and preferred areas.

Inspect Properties

Attend open homes and private inspections. Michael will highlight pros and cons of each.

Make an Offer

Michael guides you through negotiations or auction strategy to secure your first home.

Settlement & Keys

Complete the purchase with your conveyancer and collect the keys to your new home!

What Carlton Clients Say

Real results from real clients in Carlton and surrounding suburbs

“Carlton gave us station access without the Kogarah premium. Michael found us the perfect family home two streets from the station.”

The Henderson Family

Family Home • Carlton • 2025

“After 30 years in our Hurstville house, we downsized to Carlton. Walk to the station, village shops—Michael made it seamless.”

Peter & Sue L.

Downsizer Villa • Carlton • 2025

“Our Carlton unit has been tenanted continuously. Great yields and Michael's tenant screening has been spot on.”

The Dimitriou Family

Investment Unit • Carlton • 2024

First Home Buying FAQs for Carlton

Common questions about buying property in Carlton

Is Carlton good for first home buyers?

Entry-level units start at $530,000 with direct CBD trains from Carlton Station. More affordable than Kogarah while offering similar transport convenience.

What grants are available for first home buyers in NSW?

NSW first home buyers can access: First Home Owner Grant ($10,000 for new homes), stamp duty exemptions for properties under $800,000, and the First Home Guarantee Scheme (5% deposit with no LMI).

How much deposit do I need?

With the First Home Guarantee Scheme, you may only need 5% deposit. Otherwise, standard deposits are 10-20%. Michael can connect you with mortgage brokers who specialise in first home buyer lending.

What are the hidden costs of buying?

Budget for: stamp duty (unless exempt), conveyancing ($1,500-2,500), building & pest inspection ($400-600), and loan establishment fees. Michael provides a free buyer's cost calculator.