John McGrath’s Best Suburb Selections for 2025: Where to Invest Next
A new market cycle is commencing as prices rebound in almost every market this Spring
3 min
Australian property industry veteran, John McGrath says the next major market upswing is “just over the horizon” amid strong auction clearance rates this Spring and rebounding prices in many areas.
Mr McGrath says he expects greater market activity in 2024 as inflation continues to trend down, thereby bringing an end to the fastest interest rate hiking cycle in decades.
McGrath has just released its annual market report, in which Mr McGrath names his top suburb picks for 2024 across the East Coast of Australia and why these areas are poised for price growth.
Kanebridge News profiles 10 of Mr McGrath’s top suburb picks for 2024 below.
Fairfield, Sydney
Fairfield is one of Australia’s most multicultural communities, making it an attractive place to settle for some of the 715,000 net migrants expected to arrive in Australia over the next two years.
Mr McGrath says the Western Sydney International Airport will create a new local jobs hub when it opens in 2026. He notes that significant medium-density development “has led to affordable homeownership opportunities” for younger buyers, with the median apartment price just $410,000.
Chifley, Sydney
Mr McGrath says Chifley offers a great outdoorsy lifestyle with close proximity to national parks and reserves, walking trails, sports fields, an equestrian club and several golf clubs.
“The neighbourhood has had a facelift in recent years, with young family buyers replacing original houses with new, contemporary residences,” he says. “There is also a much higher-than-average number of semis and townhouses in Chifley, providing more affordable options for buyers.”
Point Cook, Melbourne
Point Cook is a well-established suburb that is packed with amenities and offers great value, with a median house price of $760,000, according to Mr McGrath.
“Prices have remained resilient during the recent downturn, and rents have grown strongly in the past year,” he said. “The suburb … has a good mix of housing stock and its proximity to the water is a big drawcard for residents.”
Spotswood, Melbourne
Spotswood has flown under the radar in the shadow of neighbouring hotspots Seddon and Yarraville, says Mr McGrath.
He points out that Spotswood has a solid track record of price growth and “strong growth fundamentals” for the future, including an expanding dining scene and good road and rail links.
Mansfield, regional Victoria
Mansfield was an extremely popular treechange destination during the pandemic, when many people left Melbourne and moved to the regions because they were able to work remotely.
Mr McGrath says there is still room for Mansfield home values to grow further, pointing out that “price growth has not yet reached the heights of high country lifestyle locations like Bright”.
Clontarf, Brisbane
Located at the southern end of the Redcliffe Peninsula, Mr McGrath says Clontarf was one of the top growth suburbs in the Moreton Bay region in 2023. He says the suburb is highly desirable among family buyers due to its transport links to Brisbane, sprawling beaches and waterfront parks.
Southport, Gold Coast
Southport offers a more affordable price point but the same attractive lifestyle amenities as Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach. “The plethora of high rises here makes it an attractive option for those who like to live close to the action,” Mr McGrath says.
Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast
Mr McGrath says Coolum Beach is known for some of the most consistent waves for surfers on the coast. He says the suburb is popular with family buyers and couples and sits in a central location within an easy drive of Sunshine Coast Airport and only 20 minutes south of Noosa Heads.
Moonah, Hobart
About 5km north of Hobart’s city centre, Mr McGrath says Moonah is “an up-and-coming suburb where you can still find houses for less than $650,000.”
He adds: “Its affordability and wide quiet streets make it a magnet for young families, as well as those buying their first home. Another drawcard is its thriving food scene clustered around Main Road, with renowned restaurants like St Albi.”
Riverside, Launceston
On the banks of the Tamar River about 4km from the CBD, Riverside is appealing to family buyers due to its proximity to the city and four local schools.
Mr McGrath says the Riverside market provides the opportunity to buy homes with water views, or homes on larger parcels of land a bit further out where many residents keep horses and chickens.
Brickworks has enlisted acclaimed architecture studio Kennedy Nolan to explore how homes could become more adaptable, energy-efficient and connected to community.
Ophora Tallawong has launched its final release of quality apartments priced under $700,000.
Brickworks has enlisted acclaimed architecture studio Kennedy Nolan to explore how homes could become more adaptable, energy-efficient and connected to community.
2 minAustralia’s housing debate is often dominated by affordability and supply, but a new collaboration between Brickworks and acclaimed architecture firm Kennedy Nolan argues the conversation should also focus on the quality and longevity of the homes being built.
The project, titled Our Next Neighbourhood, examines how suburban housing could evolve in response to shrinking block sizes, rising energy costs, increasing density and changing family structures.
Rather than proposing luxury dream homes, the initiative focuses on what its creators describe as achievable suburban housing models that are more flexible, sustainable, and better suited to modern Australian life.
Brickworks commissioned Kennedy Nolan to investigate what suburban housing might look like if “design, long-term liveability and enduring materials were placed at the centre of the conversation”.
The result is two housing concepts, known as the Street Terrace and Canopy Terrace, which explore higher-density living while maintaining access to green space, natural light and privacy.
The designs incorporate adaptable floorplans that can evolve as family needs change, along with passive design principles intended to reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
Brett Ward, General Manager of Marketing at Brickworks, said the company wanted to broaden the discussion around housing beyond simply increasing supply.
“Much of the housing conversation today is understandably focused on supply and affordability, but there is an equally important discussion to be had about the quality and longevity of the homes we build,” he said.
“We wanted to explore how thoughtful design, combined with durable, resilient materials, could create homes that not only function well today, but continue to support Australian families and communities long into the future.”
Kennedy Nolan said the project was partly inspired by concerns that contemporary housing often struggles to adapt to changing household structures and environmental pressures.
The architects said innovation in suburban housing was “essential” to address changing family groupings, energy use, urban heat island effects and growing disconnection from place.
According to the design team, the concepts draw on lessons from some of Australia’s most influential housing projects while seeking to create neighbourhoods with stronger links to landscape, community and local identity.
Rachel Nolan, founder of Kennedy Nolan, said the practice saw an opportunity to reimagine suburban housing as something “more connected to our climate, our landscape, our communities and our Australian identity”.
The project comes as policymakers, developers and planners continue searching for ways to deliver more housing without sacrificing liveability, neighbourhood character or long-term sustainability.
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