There are a number of markets around the nation that performed well in 2024 and are set to do so again in 2025.

One of these is the Central Coast of NSW has always appealed to Sydneysiders seeking an affordable lifestyle, but its property market leans more towards being a consistent than a booming market.

Median house prices rebounded strongly in the LGA after falling in 2023, with 43 of the 49 suburbs analysed by experts recording median house price growth.

A major bonus for investors in the Central Coast market is its low vacancy rates. While residential vacancies were already well below three per cent when COVID struck in early 2020, they have fallen further in the years since, which is underpinning rental growth and solid yields.

Likewise, the property market in the Redlands region of Greater Brisbane has experienced robust growth over recent years, however, it still remains relatively affordable compared to other parts of Brisbane.

Another location is Geelong, which has a rapidly growing economy, with billions of dollars in recent infrastructure expenditure as well as billions more in other major investments in the years ahead.

Geelong still has more than a number of suburbs with median house prices around $700,000, which is a more affordable price point for many homebuyers and investors than Melbourne and definitely Sydney.

Many of these suburbs also have super low vacancy rates that underpin potential cash flow and yields for savvy investors, too.

Key drivers

Increasing numbers of first-time property buyers are prioritising lifestyle flexibility with more and more purchasing an investment property instead of a home to live in.

Millennials are knowledgeable enough to recognise that now is the right time to maximise their borrowing capacities given they generally have a decade or more in their careers under their belts and are earning decent incomes, plus, they are yet to decide whether they will have children as well.

Many younger investors with budgets between $550,000 to $650,000 and are purchasing investment properties in a range of more affordable locations around the nation.

Whether it’s in Geelong, Toowoomba, Greater Brisbane or Melbourne, many of these first home investors are prepared to purchase interstate and remain as renters in their location of first choice.

Important sectors

Rents have been rising for a few years now and that’s not likely to change next year.

The truth of the matter is that we simply do not have enough rental dwellings to house our current population.

Partly this is because of the over-the-top immigration inflows we have experienced over recent years, but it’s also because of the plummeting volume of new dwellings being constructed. 

Investor activity has been well below average for a number of years, too, which means there simply aren’t enough new investors entering the market to meet rental demand. 

Fundamentally, this means that rents will continue to rise until the supply and demand equilibrium has been restored. When that will be, no one knows.

Lasting impacts

Make no mistake, the 2032 Brisbane Olympics is set to be a game-changer for the Sunshine State capital and the wider Southeast Queensland region in coming years.

Not only will it have its glistening moment on the global stage, but the plethora of new and upgraded infrastructure will transform its economy, its liveability, and its skyline for future generations.

Of course, property markets across the region have been some of the strongest performers over the past two years, with that strength on track to continue in the lead-up to the 2032 Games.

It will be the homebuyers and investors who make their moves soon that stand the best chance of winning property gold by the time the 2032 Brisbane Olympics officially begin in just eight years’ time.