Welcome to the Property Planner’s Monthly Market Update, your comprehensive resource for the latest insights and trends in the real estate and economic landscape!
Stay informed and ahead of the curve with our expert analysis, helping you make well-informed decisions in the ever-evolving property market.
Capitals Edge Ahead of Regionals
The tide appears to be turning in favour of the capital cities:
- Monthly growth (Aug): Capitals +0.8% vs Regionals +0.5%
- Quarterly growth: Capitals +1.9% vs Regionals +1.6%
While the short-term numbers now favour the capitals, regionals still hold the edge on an annual basis:
- Annual growth: Capitals +3.6% vs Regionals +6.0%
After years of regional strength, are we seeing the balance shift back toward the cities?
Source: Cotality
Brisbane Property Leads the Nation in August
Brisbane posted the strongest growth of all capitals in August, with values rising 1.2%.
Momentum has been building since the February rate cut, and the market now looks to be in the throws of a second wind, along with Perth and Adelaide.
On an annual basis, Brisbane sits second in the nation at 7.9%, behind Darwin’s 10.2%.
With renewed strength and steady demand, Brisbane is shaping up as a key market to watch.
Source: Cotality
Melbourne Market Gears Up for Spring
Melbourne posted 0.3% growth in August, with houses up 0.4% and units edging 0.2% higher.
The city has been making steady gains every month since February, and tight stock levels are setting the stage for a busy spring:
- New listings down 1.3% from this time last year
- Total listings down 4.8% from this time last year
At the same time, sales volumes are up 8% over the past year, showing buyer activity is on the rise.
With fewer homes available and demand picking up, all signs point to a highly competitive spring selling season ahead.
Click here for more detailed insights into the data behind Melbourne’s market recovery.
Source: SQM Research
Darwin’s Property Market Stays Hot
But what really stands out is supply:
- Total listings are 50% below the five-year average; and
- 48.2% lower than this time last year
With stock this tight, competition remains fierce, keeping upward pressure on prices. No wonder prices are going up.
People aren’t selling until they recoup losses of up to 15 years.
Darwin continued its winning streak in August, recording 1.0% growth and an impressive 10.8% year-to-date gain. That in only 8 months.
And investors are circling – investor lending now sits at 44% of all mortgages??, nearly double the decade average.
Click here for more insights on Darwin.
Source: Cotality
Sydney Posts Strongest Growth of 2025
August delivered Sydney’s best monthly result so far this year, with values up 0.8% overall.
- Houses: +0.9%
- Units: +0.6%
It’s the middle segment that’s now leading the charge.
Over the 3 months to July the segmenation in property growth has since the mid-tier property prices grow the most, and the top 25th quartlie growing more than the bottom 25% quartile which is a sign of a robust market when deeper pockets are driving the outcomes.
This is a change from the previous quarter when the lowest quartile was growing at the fastest rate:
- Middle 50% of properties: +2.3%
- Top 25%: +1.4%
- Bottom 25%: +1.5%
Source: Cotality
Perth’s Property Market Puzzle
Perth ramped up again in August, posting 1.1% growth, just behind top performer Brisbane (+1.2%).
But here’s the surprise: this growth came despite a noticeable rise in supply.
- Total listings up 9.2% year-on-year
- New listings up 5.9% year-on-year
- Old listings up 9.8% year-on-year
At the same time, sales volumes have fallen 4.1% in the 12 months to July.
It’s a curious mix: more stock, fewer sales, yet prices still pushing higher.
The median values for units in Perth overtook the median value for units in Melbourne, making Perth the third most expensive city for units in Australia, right behind Sydney and Brisbane.
Perth is one market we’ll be watching closely as the situation unfolds.
Source: SQM Research
Perth Unit Values Leapfrog Melbourne
- Perth units: +1.0%
- Adelaide units: +1.1%
- Melbourne units: +0.2%
Canberra Joins the $1M+ Club
Homebuyer Confidence
Time to Buy a Dwelling
- Homebuyer sentiment dipped slightly, the ‘time to buy a dwelling’ index down 1.7% to 96.1.
- The state breakdowns show homebuyer sentiment rising to outright positive levels in Victoria, the state index now at 110
- but a steadier, more neutral assessment in New South Wales where the state index is at 99.
- We continue to see much more volatile reads in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia with current reads on homebuyer sentiment more pessimistic overall (82, 74 and 91 respectively as at September).
House Price Expectations
- In contrast, consumer house price expectations continue to ride high.
- The Westpac–Melbourne Institute Index of House Price Expectations rose another 2.6% in September, the 168.4 read marking a fifteen year high.
- Over three quarters of consumers now expect prices to rise over the next 12 months.
- Expectations are stronger still in South Australia (180) and Queensland (174) but are less exuberant in Victoria (164).
Reach Out to Us
If you would like to discuss your next steps, property plans, and mortgage strategy, get in touch with us today. Our team of experts is here to guide you through the complexities of the market and help you achieve your property goals.
