What Will Australian Property Prices Look Like in 2026?
By Leigh Martinuzzi | Martinuzzi Property Group – eXp Australia
Over the past couple of months, Nico and I have been asking hundreds of people a simple question during open homes, appraisals, inspections and everyday conversations: “What do you think property prices will do next year?”
Not based on headlines or predictions from economists, but based on gut feel, lived experience and what people are seeing around them. The responses were telling.
The majority believe prices will continue to rise in 2026. A smaller group expects the market to stabilise, and only a handful think prices will fall. In numbers, 73 people said prices will go up, 27 felt the market will hold steady, and just 3 believed we’ll see a downturn.
When you place those opinions alongside current market conditions, the reasoning behind them starts to make a lot of sense.
Why So Many People Expect Prices to Keep Rising
Across Australia, the property market continues to be shaped by one dominant issue: a lack of housing supply. Despite higher interest rates over the past few years, demand has not disappeared. It has simply become more selective.
Population growth remains strong, construction levels are struggling to keep up, and many homeowners are choosing to stay put rather than sell. The result is fewer quality homes available, particularly family houses in established areas. When these properties do hit the market, competition still shows up and not at the frantic pace of past booms, but in a consistent and resilient way.
This is why many Australians believe 2026 will deliver continued price growth. Not explosive growth, but steady, uneven increases driven by scarcity and demand for well-located homes.
The Case for a More Stable Market
The second-largest group in our survey believes the market will stabilise rather than surge. This view reflects a growing understanding that the market is maturing after years of disruption.
Stabilisation doesn’t mean prices are falling. It means buyers are more cautious, affordability is front of mind, and price growth is becoming more suburb-specific. Negotiation is back. Strategy matters. Homes that are well-presented and priced correctly are still selling, while those that miss the mark sit longer.
A stable market is often a healthier one, and for many parts of Australia, 2026 may be a year where prices hold firm and grow gradually rather than jump.
Why Very Few Expect Prices to Fall
Only three people we spoke to believe prices will go backwards, and that in itself is revealing. For meaningful price declines to occur, we would need to see a significant increase in distressed sales, widespread job losses, or a major oversupply of housing.
At present, those conditions simply aren’t there. While individual properties and pockets will always behave differently, the broader Australian market continues to show resilience rather than vulnerability.
What This Means for the Sunshine Coast
Here on the Sunshine Coast, these themes are even more pronounced.
Lifestyle-driven demand remains strong, with buyers continuing to relocate from Brisbane, interstate and even overseas. At the same time, housing supply remains tight, particularly for family homes, acreage properties and well-located coastal and hinterland homes.
While we may not see the rapid price jumps of previous years, the underlying fundamentals remain solid. Limited land availability, strong lifestyle appeal and consistent demand suggest that prices are more likely to edge upward or stabilise, rather than move backwards, through 2026.
For Sunshine Coast homeowners, this means your property value is being supported by more than just market sentiment as it’s underpinned by real demand and structural supply constraints.
When you combine real-world conversations with what the data is showing, a clear picture emerges. 2026 is unlikely to be a boom year, but it is also unlikely to be a downturn.
Instead, we are heading into a market defined by resilience, selectivity and smarter decision-making. Prices are expected to trend upward over time, but results will vary depending on property type, location and how well a home is positioned when it comes to market.
As always, the market doesn’t reward guesswork; it rewards preparation.
What to Do Next
Are you curious about what your property may be worth in 2025? We’re always happy to provide you a free appraisal, talk through your options, and help you map out a stress-free plan tailored to your goals.
👉 Get in touch with us today and get your free property appraisal and discover how selling your current home can set you up for a smarter, more freeing lifestyle.
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