The dream of home ownership looks different today
For many Australians, especially women, the idea of owning a home has shifted from a milestone in their 20s to an achievement often reached later in life. According to recent data, the average age of first home buyers in Australia now sits around 36 to 37 years old, a figure that has steadily increased over the past decade.
Rising prices, longer education and career paths, and shifting lifestyle priorities have all played a role. But the good news is that it’s still completely possible to own your home or investment property, no matter your age.
Why the average age to buy a house keeps rising
Buying your first home in your mid-30s is now the norm rather than the exception. Several factors contribute to this trend:
- Rising property prices: The national median house price has climbed sharply, making it more challenging for first-time buyers to enter the market without a strong savings plan or financial strategy.
- Lifestyle choices: Australians are choosing to travel, study, and build careers before settling down.
- Longer study and career establishment: With more people completing tertiary education, financial stability often comes later in life.
- Deposit challenges: Saving a 20% deposit can take years, particularly for single buyers or those living in major cities.
More Australians are now finding creative ways to enter the market earlier through strategies like rentvesting – buying an investment property in a more affordable area while continuing to rent where they want to live. This approach is discussed in detail in Smart Investing: 4 Property Investment Strategies You Should Know About.
What home ownership looks like at different ages
In your late 20s
This is typically the planning phase. Building savings, paying down debt, and improving credit history should be the main focus. Even if you’re not ready to buy yet, understanding your borrowing capacity early can help you move with confidence when the time is right.
As we explain in When Is the Best Time to Buy Property? (Spoiler: It’s Sooner Than You Think), time in the market often matters more than timing the market.
In your 30s
You may have more stability in your career but also more responsibilities that make saving difficult. This is often when women start to see property as a tool to build wealth rather than simply a place to live.
Owning an investment property can help you move closer to financial independence, a topic explored in Superannuation Alone Isn’t Enough: How Property Helps Women Build Real Wealth.
In your 40s and beyond
Buying property in your 40s can still be a powerful step toward wealth creation, but it’s important to plan your loan term and long-term goals. For example, taking out a 30-year mortgage at 45 would extend until age 75.
This doesn’t make it a bad decision, but it does require a clear exit strategy, such as selling an investment to pay off your home loan or using equity to reduce debt. Learn how this works in Using Your Investment Property’s Equity.
Can you get a 30-year mortgage at age 45?
Yes. Most lenders will still approve a 30-year loan term for borrowers in their 40s, as long as there’s a clear plan for repayment before or during retirement. Some lenders may shorten the term or request evidence of superannuation funds or other exit strategies, but your age alone isn’t a barrier.
More Australians are now using property to create passive income streams that support them later in life. This approach is explained further in Investing in Property for Retirement: What Women Need to Know.
What age should you buy a house?
There’s no single “right age” to buy property. The decision depends on your financial readiness, lifestyle, and goals. What matters most is taking that first step when the time feels right.
The earlier you enter the market, the more opportunity your property has to grow in value. Even if you start later, smart strategies – such as identifying high-growth or high-yield areas – can help you accelerate results. You can learn more about finding these opportunities in How to Choose the Best Location for an Investment Property in 2025.
The reality: it’s never too late to start
Whether you’re 28, 38, or 48, building wealth through property is not about perfection; it’s about progress. Women across Australia are taking ownership of their financial futures and using property to create long-term security and independence.
The average age of home ownership might be rising, but so is confidence among women who are stepping into the property market with knowledge and strategy on their side.
Ready to start your journey?
If you’re ready to take the next step toward property ownership or want to explore what’s possible for your future, our team at InvestHer Property can help you create a strategy that fits your goals and lifestyle.
Get in touch with us today to begin building your path to financial freedom through property.