Some Sydneysiders are deferring home buying until they're older and many families are opting for a seachange instead, writes, Aidan Devine
They're older than Garfield cartoons, Pac-Man or Sony's Walkman and they've waited until this year to make the biggest buy of their lives.
New research by ING Direct shows the average age of Sydney homebuyers has reached an all- time high of 38.2, slightly up on the national average of 37.7. 
By contrast, the average age of homebuyers across Australia was 34.7 in 2005. "It's no surprise Australians are waiting until later in life to enter the housing market, with property in most states experiencing strong growth over the period," the report stated. "The increase in average home-buying age suggests people are being responsible - taking their time to scope the market, ensuring they have enough deposit and are in a position to stay on top of making their repayments." The research also showed the average age of buyers, including first-timers and those who have owned property before, has not been affected by a 17 per cent spike in Sydney's median home price over the past year.
"Despite Sydney experiencing dramatic home value growth, it's clear this hasn't deterred buyers and that people still want to own their own home," it stated.
McGrath Estate Agents founder John McGrath said the average age of Sydney homebuyers was poised to increase as more young families sought cheaper homes outside the city. The gap these families leave would be filled by downsizing retirees and empty-nesters, Mr McGrath added.
"The next wave of seachangers will be young families leaving Sydney," he said. "Previously, Sydney families adapted to rising house prices by moving to less expensive commuter areas like the Central Coast or buying apartments over houses.
"Today, average Sydney apartments are more expensive than houses anywhere else in Australia and many families are tired of being stretched." In his company's latest McGrath report, Mr McGrath explained that successive years of massive price increases had given downsizers big wins on their home sales, which they were putting towards expensive homes in the inner city.
"We're observing more young Sydney families buying on the Central Coast and in Newcastle and the Southern Highlands â€¦ Meanwhile, more empty-nesters are shunning the seachange in favour of CBD living." Echoing these predictions, data from Forecast.id shows retirement-age residents will be the City of Sydney's fastest growing demographic by 2026.
FAMILY SEARCHING FOR A HOME THEY CAN TRULY VALUE AT the age of 38, Sanjeev Saini is the embodiment of Sydney's average house hunter.
Mr Saini and wife Sonia sold their home in Green Valley, near Liverpool, earlier this year and have been renting while they look for a new home.
Their preferences echo many other families with growing children. "We like Sydney's southwest. It's a lot more affordable than areas like Granville and Parramatta," Mr Saini said.
He added that improving infrastructure is helping shape the area into one with the right balance of affordable prices and convenience.
"The roads have widened, there are more houses and there are a lot more people around," Mr Saini said.
Lofty prices in the rest of Sydney, which have been hoisted by a three-year price boom, have helped attract other families to areas like Green Valley, Mr Saini added.
"(Others) have started to realise that it's a nice area and that they can get better value for money."
FAST SALES Homes sold via private treaty in record time 137 BULLI RD, CONST. HILL ?This home sold for $775,000 after just eight days on the market, amazingly, the average for Constitution Hill homes.
11 GUILLEMOT ST, CRANEBROOK This property sold in 19 days for $595,000.
The double storey home has three bedrooms and a single garage.
5A MAHONY RD, CONST. HILL ?Despite a price tag just under $1 million, this home sold in 15 days. The average Aussie home takes 80 days to sell.
2/108 RAILWAY CT, JANNALI This three-bedroom villa sold 11 days after it was first listed. It had sold in 2014 in just seven days.