The Australian regions where property buyers are cleaning up
Affordability and lifestyle factors are driving home buyers to these regional areas, but it’s still a case of buyer beware
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Savvy property investors might do well to head to the regions for their next purchase, if market trends are correct.
That’s the news from CoreLogic’s quarterly regional Market Update, with data showing regional housing markets continuing to outperform properties in capital cities.
Mining regions in Queensland and Western Australia lead the charge once again, with regional towns in those states taking out the top 10 spots.
The Queensland town of Mackay was the top performer over the quatter, with 8.3 percent growth, followed by Geraldton in WA (8.2 percent) and Townsville (6.6 percent). Geraldton also experienced the strongest annual growth, up 28.7 percent. Western Australian regional towns also delivered the highest gross rental yields.
Report author and CoreLogic Australia economist Kaytlin Ezzy said affordability was a strong factor in the growth these areas had experienced.
“Regions like Mackay, Geraldton, and Townsville are seeing exceptional growth, driven
by affordability advantages compared to our major cities, as well as lifestyle appeal,”
Ms Ezzy said.
“This will have contributed to the strong demand but even with the impressive growth,
for those with the capacity to service a mortgage, they still remain attainable with
medians less than $600,000.”
However, CoreLogic noted that not all regional housing markets were showing signs of growth with Batemans Bay on the NSW far south coast the worst performer, seeing a fall in housing values of -2.7 percent. The Victorian town of Warrnambool was right behind, down -2.6 percent. The once-prosperous gold rush town of Ballarat in Victoria experienced the greatest fall over the year, down -6.3 percent.
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Buyer demand, seller confidence and the First Home Guarantee Scheme are setting up a frantic spring, with activity likely to run through Christmas.
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The spring property market is shaping up as the most active in recent memory, according to property experts Two Red Shoes.
Mortgage brokers Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton and Brett Sutton point to a potent mix of pent-up buyer demand, robust seller confidence and the First Home Guarantee Scheme as catalysts for a sustained run.
“We’re seeing an unprecedented level of activity, with high auction numbers already a clear indicator of the market’s trajectory,” said Sutton. “Last week, Sydney saw its second-highest number of auctions for the year. This kind of volume, even before the new First Home Guarantee Scheme (FHGS) changes take effect, signals a powerful market run.”
Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton added a note of caution. “While inquiries are at an all-time high, the big question is whether we will have enough stock to meet this demand. The market is incredibly hot, and this could lead to a highly competitive environment for buyers, with many homes selling for hundreds of thousands above their reserve.”
“With listings not keeping pace with buyer demand, buyers are needing to compromise faster and bid harder.”
Two Red Shoes identifies several spring trends. The First Home Guarantee Scheme is expected to unlock a wave of first-time buyers by enabling eligible purchasers to enter with deposits as low as 5 per cent. The firm notes this supports entry and reduces rent leakage, but it is a demand-side fix that risks pushing prices higher around the relevant caps.
Buyer behaviour is shifting toward flexibility. With competition intense, purchasers are prioritising what they can afford over ideal suburb or land size. Two Red Shoes expects the common first-home target price to rise to between $1 and $1.2 million over the next six months.
Affordable corridors are drawing attention. The team highlights Hawkesbury, Claremont Meadows and growth areas such as Austral, with Glenbrook in the Lower Blue Mountains posting standout results. Preliminary Sydney auction clearance rates are holding above 70 per cent despite increased listings, underscoring the depth of demand.
The heat is not without friction. Reports of gazumping have risen, including instances where contract statements were withheld while agents continued to receive offers, reflecting the pressure on buyers in fast-moving campaigns.
Rates are steady, yet some banks are quietly trimming variable and fixed products. Many borrowers are maintaining higher repayments to accelerate principal reduction. “We’re also seeing a strong trend in rent-vesting, where owner-occupiers are investing in a property with the eventual goal of moving into it,” said Jarrett-Dalton.
“This is a smart strategy for safeguarding one’s future in this competitive market, where all signs point to an exceptionally busy and action-packed season.”
Two Red Shoes expects momentum to carry through the holiday period and into the new year, with competition remaining elevated while stock lags demand.
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