Four of the best homes in Sydney with an asking price of $1.5m or less

Mansions aren’t the only homes that can be beautiful. Home buyers on a budget can find stylish and liveable options if they know where to look, especially in a market downturn.

Good design can create visual interest, bring in light and offer a connection to nature even in small spaces. And units in boutique apartment blocks are highly sought by first-home buyers, downsizers or smaller households.

Here are four of the best homes in Sydney priced at $1.5 million or less.

2/1-5 Hubert Street, Leichhardt, NSW

This two-bedroom, ground-floor apartment in Leichhardt is one of only 11 apartments in this warehouse conversion. Features of the warehouse remain and include over-height ceilings.

The apartment has a great sense of space, especially in the open-plan living, dining and kitchen zone.

The chef’s kitchen features a large deluxe stone-topped island and ILVE appliances, while the bathroom features marble floors and a hidden laundry.

With two substantial bedrooms, building access to a secure parking garage, and proximity to the light rail, bus, Norton Street, and parks, there is plenty to enjoy about this inner west apartment, which is priced at $1.05 million.

3/1A Booth Street, Annandale, NSW

This apartment is one of only five in the Palmerston, which was built in 2005 on the locally significant commercial premises of the Melocco brothers, who were mosaic artisans and construction industry pioneers.

Positioned on the first floor, the apartment has two balconies and an easy-care layout. It features two spacious bedrooms with built-in robes, an en suite for the main bedroom and a granite kitchen with Bosch appliances.

Located in the heart of Annandale village, it is only 230 metres from buses near Pyrmont Bridge Road into the city, and close to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the Sydney University precinct.

The apartment has a price guide of $1.3 million.

5/5 Murray Street, Lane Cove, NSW

With a price guide of $670,000, this one-bedroom, ground-floor apartment is close to Lane Cove Village and less than two kilometres from Chatswood.

It is one of only 12 in the boutique building and has approximately 105 square metres of internal and external living.

The open-plan dining, kitchen and living area opens onto an outdoor courtyard with a garden.

1/553-555 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment, priced at $1,275,000 to $1,325,000, is located in the Inner Sydney High School and Bourke Street Public School catchments.

It is also close to the University of Sydney and Central Station, on the fringe of the incoming Atlassian Tech Precinct.

The apartment is at the rear of the boutique complex and features a functional floor plan and natural light.

There is an entertainer’s balcony that connects to the open-plan living and dining area through glass sliding doors.

The apartment features two large bedrooms, the master with an en suite and reverse-cycle air-conditioning, a separate home office, and an undercover car space.