Who’s Buying on the Sunshine Coast Right Now? The Cash Buyer Advantage
By Leigh Martinuzzi of Martinuzzi Group – eXp Realty | Sunshine Coast Real Estate
Interest rates are rising, borrowing power is shrinking, and buyers are becoming more cautious. But here’s an interesting question: if borrowing money is getting harder, who’s still buying property?
While higher interest rates are certainly affecting the market, not every buyer is feeling the same pressure. Some have substantial equity, others are purchasing without a mortgage, and younger buyers are increasingly receiving financial help from family.
For Sunshine Coast homeowners considering selling, understanding who these buyers are could make a real difference to your selling strategy.
The 4.60% Reality: How Rates Have Shifted Buyer Power
On 29 September 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted the official cash rate to 4.60%, following four increases this year.
According to property analytics firm Cotality, those increases have reduced the borrowing capacity of a median-income household by approximately 9%, or nearly $90,000, since February.
That’s a significant difference when you’re trying to purchase a home.
But here’s what I think sellers need to understand.
Just because some buyers can borrow less doesn’t mean every buyer has less money to spend.
In fact, there are several groups of buyers who are in a much stronger financial position than others.
1. Downsizers with substantial property equity
One of the more interesting groups in today’s market is homeowners who have built significant equity over many years.
Think of someone who purchased their family home 20 or 30 years ago, has paid off their mortgage, and is now looking for something smaller or easier to maintain.
They may be selling a larger property in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne and relocating to the Sunshine Coast for a different lifestyle.
For some, the proceeds from their sale allow them to purchase their next property outright, without needing another mortgage.
And this isn’t a small segment of the property market.
Research from PEXA found that 26.5% of residential purchases across Queensland, NSW and Victoria in the 2023–24 financial year were completed without a home loan attached to the purchase.
While those figures don’t tell us exactly how many cash buyers are purchasing on the Sunshine Coast today, they demonstrate the importance of mortgage-free transactions.
For sellers, this creates an interesting opportunity.
Homes offering single-level living, manageable gardens, minimal maintenance and convenient access to shops and amenities may appeal to buyers looking to simplify their lives.
Across hinterland communities such as Palmwoods, Woombye and Montville, lifestyle and practicality can be just as important as the number of bedrooms.
2. Younger buyers backed by the Bank of Mum and Dad
At the other end of the market, younger Australians are finding it increasingly difficult to purchase their first home without assistance.
Finder’s 2026 Home Loan Report revealed that 67% of Gen Z homeowners surveyed had received some form of family assistance when purchasing property, compared with just 11% of Baby Boomers.
That assistance might come through a deposit contribution, financial gift, parental guarantee or even a property purchase funded by family.
It doesn’t necessarily mean these buyers are mortgage-free. Many still rely on bank finance and remain sensitive to higher interest rates.
However, family assistance can give them opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.
For Sunshine Coast sellers, particularly those with homes in more accessible price brackets around Nambour, Burnside and parts of the hinterland, it’s worth understanding how this buyer group is changing.
A property that appeals to a first-home buyer may also need to appeal to the family members helping fund the purchase.
Condition, affordability, location and future resale potential can all play an important role.
3. Interstate buyers bringing equity to the Coast
Despite changing market conditions, the Sunshine Coast continues to attract people relocating from other parts of Australia.
The Regional Australia Institute’s latest Regional Movers Index, released in October 2026, confirmed the Sunshine Coast retained its position as Australia’s leading destination by share of net internal migration.
That’s significant.
Buyers relocating from capital cities may be bringing equity accumulated through years of homeownership, which can reduce how much they need to borrow.
But it’s also important not to overlook local buyers.
Research this year has highlighted the growing importance of established owner-occupiers and local movers within the Sunshine Coast market.
In other words, the next buyer for your property could be someone relocating from Sydney, or a family already living just a few suburbs away.
The key is understanding what motivates them and how your property fits their needs.
What does this mean if you’re selling your Sunshine Coast home?
I believe there are three things homeowners should be thinking about in the current market.
1. Know who your likely buyer is
Not every property appeals to the same people.
A low-maintenance home close to town might attract downsizers, while a larger hinterland property with a separate living area could appeal to extended families, lifestyle buyers or people looking for multigenerational living.
Understanding these differences helps determine how a property should be presented, priced and marketed.
2. Presentation matters more than ever
Buyers with substantial equity might have greater purchasing power, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re willing to overlook problems or pay any price.
Many are looking for homes that are ready to enjoy without significant additional investment.
That’s why addressing maintenance, improving presentation and highlighting practical lifestyle benefits can make such a difference.
It doesn’t mean every seller should spend thousands renovating. Sometimes relatively small improvements have the biggest impact.
3. Your marketing needs to reach the right people
Listing a property online remains an important part of any selling campaign, but I don’t believe it should be the entire strategy.
Good marketing needs to consider where potential buyers are coming from, what they’re looking for and what makes a particular property attractive to them.
That might involve reaching buyers outside the local area, connecting with established buyer networks or creating marketing that highlights a property’s most relevant lifestyle features.
Through Martinuzzi Group and the broader eXp Realty network, our focus is on creating opportunities to connect properties with suitable buyers, both locally and beyond the Sunshine Coast.
And just as importantly, pricing must be supported by comparable sales and the feedback we’re receiving from genuine buyers.
The bottom line: Buyers are still out there, but the market has changed
Higher interest rates are affecting affordability, and there’s no question that some purchasers are taking a more cautious approach.
However, not every buyer is relying on a large mortgage.
Equity-rich homeowners, downsizers, family-assisted buyers and relocating households all contribute to different parts of the Sunshine Coast property market.
For sellers, the opportunity isn’t simply about finding someone with cash.
It’s about understanding who is most likely to value your property, what they’re prepared to pay, and how to position your home to attract them.
Because ultimately, a successful sale comes down to matching the right property with the right buyer at a price the market is prepared to support.
Curious if your home appeals to today’s cash buyers?
If you’re considering selling, or simply wondering how your property fits into today’s market, I’d be happy to have a chat.
We can look at recent comparable sales, discuss the likely buyer profile for your property and explore what selling could look like in the current conditions.
No pressure, no obligation. Just an honest conversation about your property and the Sunshine Coast market. price.
Get in touch with us today and and let’s give you fantastic results that you deserve.
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Sources: Cotality Home Value Index and Monthly Housing Chart Pack (October 2026)
