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Working from Home: Property Choices for Remote Workers

If you’re working remotely, your property buying calculus changes. You’re no longer tied to living near a major employment hub, which opens up new geographic possibilities and budget opportunities.

Remote work advantages for property buying:

Location flexibility: you can live anywhere with reliable internet. This means regional areas, smaller cities, or coastal towns become viable options. These areas often have lower property prices.

Cost savings: living regional or in a smaller city might mean AUD 400,000 for a house instead of AUD 600,000 for an apartment in a major city. The savings are substantial.

Lifestyle upgrading: instead of a small apartment near the city, you might afford a house with a yard, space for a home office, and quiet surroundings.

Mortgage reduction: a lower purchase price means a smaller mortgage, lower repayments, and you own your home sooner.

Here’s a practical scenario:

City approach: AUD 650,000 apartment in Brisbane CBD, 30-minute commute time

  • Mortgage: AUD 520,000 (20% down)
  • Repayments: AUD 2,800/month at 4.5%
  • Rates/body corporate: AUD 400/month
  • Total: AUD 3,200/month

Regional approach: AUD 400,000 house in a coastal town (remote working)

  • Mortgage: AUD 320,000 (20% down)
  • Repayments: AUD 1,720/month at 4.5%
  • Rates: AUD 200/month
  • Total: AUD 1,920/month

The difference: AUD 1,280/month savings. Over 25 years, that’s AUD 384,000—you could pay off the regional house entirely and still save money compared to the city scenario.

This assumes:

  • Your remote job pays similarly regardless of location (increasingly common for tech, finance, consulting roles)
  • You can handle occasional travel to the city for meetings (many remot companies allow quarterly or annual onsite time)
  • You’re okay with a smaller local market and less frequent big-city amenities

Lender perspective:

Banks don’t care where you live as long as you’re employed and can service the debt. Remote work income is assessed like any other employment, provided you have an employment letter confirming your role and tenure.

If you’re self-employed and remote-working, the assessment is the same as for any self-employed borrower—tax returns, ABN, accountant letters.

Considerations for remote workers:

Internet reliability: before committing to a regional property, verify internet speeds. NDIS satellite internet doesn’t cut it for video conferencing—you need fiber or fixed wireless (at least 10 Mbps upload).

Commute requirements: check your employment contract or company policy. Some remote companies require onsite presence once a month or quarterly. Factor travel costs into your decision.

Career implications: some industries have better remote adoption than others. Tech, finance, and professional services are usually fine; others expect onsite presence more often. Consider career progression if you move away.

Social and family: lifestyle factors matter. Moving to a quiet regional town improves finances but might affect your social life, access to education (if you have kids), or proximity to family. Balance financial and quality-of-life factors.

Market liquidity: regional properties are less liquid than city properties. If you need to sell quickly, it might take longer. This is less of a concern if you’re planning a 15+ year hold.

Strategy:

If you’re remote-working:

  1. Prioritize areas with reliable internet
  2. Look at regional/coastal areas where property is 30%–50% cheaper than major cities
  3. Use the cost savings to build wealth faster (larger down payment, faster payoff, or investment property)
  4. Verify commute/travel requirements if your employer requires occasional onsite time

Remote work is a game-changer for property affordability. Take advantage of it.