Blaxland and Mount Riverview property value guide

Close to Penrith, still in the mountains

Blaxland is a busy lower-mountains suburb with a shopping centre, a station, schools and sporting facilities, and a quick run down to Penrith and the M4. Mount Riverview, to its north, is quieter and almost entirely residential, with bush reserves around it and Blaxland's services close by. Together they suit people who want the mountains without a long daily commute. That commute is the main thing Blaxland sells.

Blaxland or Mount Riverview?

• Blaxland suits buyers who want to walk to the shops and station. Homes close to the centre are popular with commuters, downsizers and first home buyers, including townhouse buyers.
• Mount Riverview suits families who want a quieter street, a bigger backyard and bush outlooks, and don't mind driving to the shops.

Buyers often look at both on the same weekend, so it helps to know which side of that choice your home falls on.

What adds value here

• Travel time. Minutes to the M4, Penrith and the station widens your buyer pool to people working across western Sydney.
• A level, usable yard. Families pay for somewhere children can play.
• Extra living space. A second living area, rumpus room or granny flat with approval adds broad appeal.
• A quiet street. Quieter streets away from the highway and main roads usually sell better.

Granny flats and extensions

Many Blaxland and Mount Riverview homes have been extended over the decades, and some have granny flats or converted garages. Buyers and their conveyancers will ask whether the work was approved. An approved second dwelling can add real value. An unapproved one can become a negotiation point, or a problem for the buyer's lender. Find your approvals, or talk to a certifier about your options, before you list.

The homes

Both suburbs are dominated by detached family homes, mostly brick and weatherboard houses built from the 1960s to the 1990s, many renovated or extended, plus some newer builds and a smaller number of townhouses near Blaxland's centre.

Pricing your home

Blaxland has a healthy number of sales, so good comparisons are usually available. The skill is adjusting for the street, the block and the condition. See how much your house is worth for the full picture.