NSW Property Spotlight
North Shore property and home loan guide
The North Shore runs from the harbour at North Sydney up the railway line to Hornsby, between the Lane Cove River and Middle Harbour. The ABS North Sydney and Hornsby region was home to 424,045 people in the 2021 Census. It's an even split. 46.1% of homes are houses and 46.0% are units, with 31.6% of homes having four or more bedrooms. Time Home Loans is a Brisbane-based broker that works with North Shore buyers by phone and video. Larger loans, apartment towers, heritage streets and bushfire-prone edges are the usual talking points.
Information last updated 3 November 2026
Market snapshot
| Houses | Units | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of homes | 46.1% separate houses, 7.5% terraces and townhouses | 46.0% flats and apartments | ABS Census 2021 (Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby (SA4)) |
In the 2021 Census, 63.7% of North Shore homes were owned outright or with a mortgage and 33.8% were rented. The median weekly rent across all homes was $560 (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 North Shore
The North Shore is a customary name, not a legal one. The Lower North Shore covers the land north of the Harbour Bridge as far as Roseville. The Upper North Shore is mostly the Ku-ring-gai council area, between Lane Cove National Park and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The Cammeraygal people lived here until the 1820s.
Rugged land and poor soil kept settlement light for decades. The North Shore railway line opened from Hornsby to St Leonards on 1 January 1890 and the Sydney Harbour Bridge followed in 1932. Suburbs grew along the line and the area's tree cover earned it the nickname "Leafy North Shore".
Transport
- The North Shore line runs from the CBD through North Sydney and Chatswood to Hornsby.
- Sydney Metro serves Chatswood and the Lower North Shore, with trains north-west to Macquarie Park and Epping.
- The Pacific Highway, Military Road and the Warringah Expressway are the main roads.
- In the 2021 Census 2.5% of working residents took the train to work and 54.3% 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
The North Shore has a wide choice of government, Catholic and private schools. Chatswood High School and Chatswood Public School are two of the government options near the middle of the line.
NSW government schools enrol by local intake area and some North Shore schools are in high demand, so check any address in the NSW School Finder before you buy.
Shopping and dining
Chatswood is the main shopping hub, with Westfield Chatswood and Chatswood Chase. Macquarie Centre is in Macquarie Park to the west. North Sydney has no major centre but plenty of specialty shops and cafes. Most suburbs along the line have a village strip near the station.
Parks and recreation
- Lane Cove National Park follows the Lane Cove River along the western side.
- Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park forms part of the north-eastern edge.
- Sydney Harbour National Park and Garigal National Park protect bushland along the harbour and Middle Harbour.
Lifestyle
The North Shore suits families who want schools, bush and a train line. The median age was 40 in 2021 and 72.0% of households were families. Units cluster around the stations at North Sydney, St Leonards and Chatswood, while the Upper North Shore is mainly houses on larger blocks.
North Shore
Did you know?
The line opened in 1890
The North Shore railway line opened from Hornsby to St Leonards on 1 January 1890 as a single track. There was no Sunday service until 1893.
Trains, then a ferry
The line reached the original Milsons Point station on the harbour foreshore on 1 May 1893. From there, passengers went on to central Sydney by ferry.
Over the bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge opened on 19 March 1932 and the line was extended across it to the city's underground lines.
Lost in a fire
Survey records for an early Pearce's Corner to Blue's Point railway were destroyed when the Garden Palace burned down in 1879.
Property types
The North Shore has both big houses and high-rise units.
- Houses make up 46.1% of homes, many of them older homes on established blocks.
- Units are 46.0%, from older walk-ups to new towers near the stations.
- Terraces and townhouses are 7.5%.
- Size: 29.2% of homes have two bedrooms and 31.6% have four or more.
Check zoning and heritage in the NSW Planning Portal spatial viewer. Streets near national park can be bushfire-prone, so use the NSW RFS bush fire prone land check tool. Flood and overland flow studies are listed on the NSW Flood Data Portal.
What lenders look at in North Shore
The North Shore mixes established houses with apartment towers. Here's what tends to come up with lenders.
Larger loan amounts
Larger loans get closer scrutiny of income, expenses and existing debts. Some lenders cap their maximum loan-to-value ratio (LVR) on bigger loans, so check how much deposit you'll need early.
Heritage and character homes
Some streets sit in heritage conservation areas or include heritage items. These controls can limit what you can change. Valuers look closely at the condition of older homes.
Bushfire-prone edges
Streets backing onto Lane Cove, Garigal and Ku-ring-gai Chase national parks can be bushfire-prone. That can affect building rules and insurance costs. Check the address before you sign.
Units and new towers
One LMI provider's public guidelines need units to have at least 30 m2 of living area, excluding balconies and car space. New towers around St Leonards and Chatswood can also be valued close to settlement if bought off the plan.
Company title
Some older blocks are company title. One LMI provider's public guidelines only accept company title within 10 km of a capital city CBD. The Lower North Shore is mostly inside that distance but the upper end of the line is not, so check early.
Postcodes
No North Shore postcode is 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 North Shore
On the North Shore the loan size and the property type shape most purchases. A family home often means a large loan, while units near the stations raise strata and size questions. Getting both checked before you make an offer saves time.
First home buyers
Most North Shore first home buyers start with a unit near a station. One-bedroom and two-bedroom units make up a large share of the stock. 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 North Shore buyers are moving from a unit to a house, often further up the line. If you're buying before you sell, ask about bridging finance early. Older houses often need work, so budget for a building and pest inspection and any renovation you have in mind.
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 North Shore
In 2021 33.8% of homes in the North Sydney and Hornsby region were rented and the median rent was $560 a week. Lenders usually count only part of the rent towards your income and check your other debts. Strata levies come off a unit's rental return. See our investing in property page for how investment loans work.
Lender considerations
North Shore purchases often involve larger loans, older homes and new units. Lenders look at your income, your existing debts and the property itself. Time Home Loans is based in Brisbane and works with North Shore buyers by phone and video, so we can check those points with you before you sign a contract.
Thinking about buying in North Shore?
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 the North Shore mostly houses or units?
It's close to an even split. In the 2021 Census 46.1% of homes in the North Sydney and Hornsby region were houses and 46.0% were units.
Which suburbs are on the North Shore?
It's an informal name. The Lower North Shore usually covers North Sydney, Willoughby, Lane Cove and Mosman. The Upper North Shore is mostly Ku-ring-gai and part of Hornsby Shire.
Are there bushfire-prone areas on the North Shore?
Yes, mainly streets near the national parks. Use the NSW RFS bush fire prone land check for any address.
Can a Brisbane mortgage broker help me buy on the North Shore?
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 on the North Shore.
Can I buy on the North Shore 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, building and pest inspections or 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.