Emu Plains, Emu Heights and Leonay property value guide

At the foot of the mountains

Emu Plains, Emu Heights and Leonay sit on the western bank of the Nepean River, at the foot of the Blue Mountains, in the Penrith City Council area. Emu Plains has a station on the main western line, shops and schools, and is minutes from Penrith's city centre and the M4. Emu Heights climbs the lower slopes towards the national park, and Leonay is a quieter pocket beside the river. You get city convenience with the river and the mountains on the doorstep.

Flood: the question that matters most here

Parts of the Nepean floodplain are affected by flooding, and it is the issue buyers, lenders and insurers ask about first in these suburbs. Before you list:

• Get the planning certificate. The section 10.7 certificate from Penrith City Council shows whether flood-related planning controls apply to your land.
• Know your flood information. Council can provide flood information for a property, and knowing where your land sits helps you answer buyers clearly.
• Check insurance. Buyers will get their own quotes. Knowing roughly what flood cover costs for your home means the question doesn't catch you out.
• Be upfront about history. If the home has been affected by water before, say what was repaired. Buyers find out anyway, and honesty keeps the sale together.

Homes above flood-affected areas, including much of Emu Heights, can use that as a selling point.

Each suburb's appeal

• Emu Plains: the station, schools and fast access to Penrith and the M4. Popular with commuters and families.
• Emu Heights: larger homes on sloping blocks backing towards the national park, with bush outlooks. Homes near the park should also check bushfire prone land status.
• Leonay: quiet, established streets near the river, which suit buyers wanting space and calm close to Penrith.

Homes and buyers

Mostly detached family homes from the 1960s onwards, with newer estates and some townhouses and villas. Buyers include families, commuters, first home buyers and upgraders from elsewhere in Penrith who want a greener setting without giving up services. For townhouses and villas, have the strata report ready.

Setting the price

There are usually enough sales to compare, but flood position, street and condition can separate similar-looking homes by a wide margin. Our guide to how accurate online estimates are explains why the headline number is only a starting point.