Sunshine Coast Housing Gains Strength As National Prices Continue To Rise
By Leigh Martinuzzi | Martinuzzi Property Group – eXp Australia
National Prices Continue To Climb
Over the past fortnight we have seen another round of property data released across Australia. Some cities are slowing, but Sunshine Coast housing continues to move at a strong pace. Local demand remains high and supply is still tight. These conditions match what the latest Cotality and PropTrack reports are showing across the country.
Cotality reported a 1 percent rise in national dwelling prices in November. This is the third month in a row with growth above 1 percent. October saw an increase of 1.1 percent. While the national market appears to be stabilising at strong levels, activity on the Sunshine Coast remains intense. When a well priced home comes to market, interest builds quickly and competition follows.
Mid Sized Capitals Leading Growth
Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth recorded the strongest growth in November. Each city rose by around 2 percent. Perth was the standout at 2.4 percent. Listings in these cities remain up to 40 percent below average. With demand still elevated, prices continue to rise. In Perth, a 2.5 percent monthly increase adds about 21000 dollars to the median value.
A similar story is playing out in our region. The Sunshine Coast housing market has seen prices rise by 50000 to 100000 dollars during the past couple of months. Online suburb medians have not caught up yet, but they will. Once updated, they will better reflect what we are seeing on the ground.
Softer Results In Sydney And Melbourne
Sydney and Melbourne experienced slower growth in November. Sydney rose by 0.5 percent. Melbourne increased by 0.3 percent. Auction clearance rates are also falling. A leading Sydney auctioneer recently reported results below 60 percent. Cotality shows clearance rates sitting below the decade average. These results reflect the affordability constraints many buyers face in the larger capitals.
Affordability is becoming a major concern nationwide. The median dwelling value is now 8.2 times the annual pre tax household income. Mortgage repayments on a median priced home now take around 45 percent of the average household income. More buyers are moving into the lower quartile of the market where demand is the strongest. The Sunshine Coast reflects this shift as many buyers adjust their expectations to match their borrowing capacity.
A recent Matusik Missive highlighted new ideas for improving affordability. Incentives alone have not solved the problem. They often lift demand and push prices higher. The report suggests reducing zoning restrictions and allowing more medium and high density housing in suitable areas. This approach could increase supply in locations where people want to live. We can still preserve the character of our hinterland towns while improving housing options in urban areas.
PropTrack reported a 0.5 percent rise in November. Annual prices are now 8.9 percent higher than a year ago. This is the fastest annual growth since mid 2022. It is strong growth but not as steep as past boom periods where prices rose between 20 and 30 percent a year.
Interest Rate Outlook For 2026
Interest rates remain uncertain as we head toward 2026. Earlier in the year, many expected rate cuts early next year. That now seems unlikely. Some analysts have even suggested the chance of another rate rise. Any change in direction will affect buyer confidence. Sydney is already showing signs of hesitation. More movement from the Reserve Bank may create a stop start market, making long term planning harder for buyers and sellers.
Sunshine Coast Housing And Local Outlook
Demand remains strong across Sunshine Coast housing markets. We are currently running a survey with clients. Most believe prices will continue to rise next year. I agree, although I expect growth to slow. We may see some stabilisation later in 2026 if interest rates hold steady. The current market is very different from six months ago. Recent sales no longer give an accurate picture of value. This is important for all sellers to understand.
Limited supply and strong lifestyle demand continue to support prices. Whether you are planning to sell or simply reviewing your options, understanding the national trends and the local changes is essential.
If you would like help navigating the market, whether you are buying, selling or just planning ahead, feel free to reach out.
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