NSW Property Spotlight
Chatswood property and home loan guide
Chatswood is a major centre on Sydney's lower North Shore, about 10 km north of the Sydney CBD. It was home to 25,553 people in the 2021 Census. Apartment towers rise around the station and 67.6% of homes are flats or apartments, while the streets to the east and west keep their houses. Half of all homes (50.2%) are rented. Time Home Loans is a Brisbane-based broker that works with Chatswood buyers by phone and video. Unit size, new towers and investor loans are the usual talking points.
Information last updated 3 November 2026
Market snapshot
| Houses | Units | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of homes | 27.9% separate houses, 4.3% terraces and townhouses | 67.6% flats and apartments | ABS Census 2021 (Chatswood (NSW)) |
In the 2021 Census, 46.1% of Chatswood homes were owned outright or with a mortgage and 50.2% were rented. The median weekly rent across all homes was $577 (ABS). Rents by bedroom aren't shown for this area. Sale prices will be added once licensed figures are available.
Figures are a guide only and change over time. Past movements in values and rents don't predict future results.
Living in Chatswood
Chatswood takes its name from "Chattie's Wood". Chattie was the nickname of Charlotte Harnett, wife of Willoughby mayor Richard Harnett. Residential settlement began in 1876 and the North Shore railway line, which opened in 1890, drove the suburb's growth. The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 sped things up again.
Chatswood is the seat of the City of Willoughby, which began as the Municipality of North Willoughby in 1865. It was declared a Town Centre in 1983. Today it is a shopping and office hub with The Concourse, opened in 2011, at its civic heart.
Transport
- Chatswood station is on the North Shore line, with trains south to Central and north to Hornsby.
- The station is also on Sydney Metro. Metro trains run north-west to Tallawong and, since 19 August 2024, under the harbour to Sydenham.
- A large bus interchange sits beside the station.
- In the 2021 Census 5.3% of working residents took the train to work and 49.9% worked from home. The Census was held during a Sydney lockdown, so those figures were unusual.
- Plan trips on the Transport for NSW trip planner.
Schools
Chatswood Public School (K to 6) opened in 1883. Chatswood High School is a coeducational government high school. Catholic options include Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Primary School, St Pius X College (Years 5 to 12) and Mercy Catholic College (Years 7 to 12).
NSW government schools enrol by local intake area, so check any address in the NSW School Finder before you buy.
Shopping and dining
Chatswood is one of Sydney's big shopping centres. Westfield Chatswood and Chatswood Chase are the two major centres, with the Mandarin Centre, Chatswood Interchange and Victoria Plaza nearby. The Chatswood Mall Markets run on Victoria Avenue on Thursdays and Fridays.
Parks and recreation
- Chatswood Oval and Chatswood Park on Orchard Road host local cricket and rugby.
- Beauchamp Park on Nicholson Street and Mashman Park on Victoria Avenue are local green spaces.
- Bartels Park in Chatswood West opened in July 2016.
Lifestyle
Chatswood suits people who want trains, shops and work on the doorstep. The median age was 37 in 2021 and 70.6% of households were families. It's a multicultural suburb. 34.4% of residents were born in Australia and 20.1% in China. Apartment living around the station sits next to quiet streets of older houses.
Chatswood
Did you know?
Chattie's Wood
The name comes from "Chattie's Wood". Chattie was the nickname of Charlotte Harnett, wife of Willoughby mayor Richard Harnett. It was shortened to Chatswood in the mid-1800s.
A post office that closed
Chatswood Post Office opened on 1 August 1879, closed in 1886 and reopened in 1887.
North Willoughby in 1865
The Municipality of North Willoughby was proclaimed on 23 October 1865. In 1900 its Chatsworth ward was split into Chatswood East and Chatswood West.
Source: Wikipedia: City of Willoughby
The Concourse
The Concourse opened on 11 September 2011. It has a 1,000-seat concert hall, a 500-seat theatre and a 5,000 m2 library.
Property types
Chatswood's housing is mostly units.
- Units make up 67.6% of homes, from older walk-ups to new towers near the station.
- Houses are 27.9%, mostly in the streets east and west of the centre.
- Terraces and townhouses are 4.3%.
- Size: 18.0% of homes have one bedroom and 38.7% have two.
Check zoning, heritage and height controls in the NSW Planning Portal spatial viewer. Flood and overland flow studies are listed on the NSW Flood Data Portal.
What lenders look at in Chatswood
Chatswood is a unit market around a major transport hub. Here's what tends to come up with lenders.
Unit size
One LMI provider's public guidelines need units to have at least 30 m2 of living area, excluding balconies and car space. Small studios and some one-bedroom units can fall short, so check the strata plan.
Off-the-plan purchases
Off-the-plan units are valued close to settlement, not when you sign. If the valuation comes in under the contract price you need to cover the gap. Leave a buffer and keep your finances steady until settlement.
New towers and strata
Lenders and valuers look at the building as well as the unit. Defects, special levies and the strata scheme's finances can affect a valuation, so read the strata report.
Overseas income and residency
Lenders assess income earned overseas and temporary residency differently. Some accept foreign income with conditions and some don't. Foreign persons may also need Foreign Investment Review Board approval to buy. Check your position early.
Postcode 2067
Chatswood shares postcode 2067 with Chatswood West. It isn't on one LMI provider's lists of excluded or single-industry postcodes.
Lender and LMI policies differ between lenders and change often. This is a general guide based on public lender and LMI information checked 3 November 2026. We can check current policy for the property you're looking at before you apply.
Buying in Chatswood
In Chatswood the type of unit shapes most purchases. A new tower, an off-the-plan unit and an older walk-up each raise different questions with lenders. Read the strata report and check the floor area before you make an offer.
First home buyers
Units make Chatswood more reachable for first home buyers than many North Shore suburbs. One-bedroom and two-bedroom units are common. Check the floor area, as some lenders have minimum size rules. A family guarantee may help some buyers with the deposit.
Getting pre-approval before you look tells you your range. For NSW schemes, price caps and grants, see our first home buyer page for current details.
Upgraders
Many Chatswood upgraders move from a unit to a house in the streets nearby or further up the North Shore. If you're buying before you sell, ask about bridging finance early. Moving from a unit to a house usually means a larger loan, so check your borrowing power first.
Deposit and costs
On top of your deposit, allow for:
- stamp duty (transfer duty) under New South Wales rules, with concessions for some first home buyers (see Revenue NSW)
- conveyancing and legal fees
- building and pest inspections
- strata or body corporate searches for units and townhouses
- lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) if you borrow more than 80% of the property's value
Our calculators give you a starting figure. Stamp duty rules differ between states, so check the New South Wales rules for your purchase.
Investing in Chatswood
In 2021 half of Chatswood's homes (50.2%) were rented and the median rent was $577 a week. Lenders usually count only part of the rent towards your income and check your other debts. Strata levies come off your rental return. See our investing in property page for how investment loans work.
Lender considerations
Chatswood purchases often involve high-rise units, off-the-plan contracts and investment loans. Lenders look at the unit's size and building, your income and any rental income. Time Home Loans is based in Brisbane and works with Chatswood buyers by phone and video, so we can check those points with you before you sign.
Thinking about buying in Chatswood?
Talk it through with a Brisbane broker before you sign a contract. We can check the property you're looking at against lender policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chatswood mostly units?
Yes. In the 2021 Census 67.6% of homes were flats or apartments and 38.7% had two bedrooms.
Is Chatswood on the Metro?
Yes. Chatswood station has North Shore line trains and Sydney Metro, which runs to Tallawong and under the harbour to Sydenham.
Can I buy an off-the-plan unit in Chatswood?
Yes, but the valuation happens close to settlement. If it comes in under the price you'll need more deposit. Your approval also needs to hold until settlement.
Can a Brisbane mortgage broker help me buy in Chatswood?
Yes. Time Home Loans is based in Brisbane and works with clients across Australia by phone and video. Lender policy is national, but stamp duty and first home buyer grants follow NSW rules. We don't have an office in Chatswood.
Can I buy in Chatswood with a small deposit?
Possibly, depending on your income, the price and the lender. Some buyers use a family guarantee. Lenders mortgage insurance usually applies if you borrow more than 80% of the value.
What costs should I budget for besides the deposit?
NSW transfer duty, conveyancing, a strata report and lenders mortgage insurance if you borrow more than 80% of the value. The calculators on our site give you a starting figure.
Nearby suburbs
General information only. This page provides general information and doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether it's appropriate for you and seek advice before making a decision. Market figures are a guide only and change over time. Past movements in values and rents don't predict future results.
Time Home Loans Pty Ltd ACN 161 695 012, Credit Representative 529395 is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 384324.