If you’ve bought property recently – or are considering it – the latest Cotality Pain and Gain Report offers some reassuring news: the vast majority of property owners are turning a profit, even amid economic headwinds.

And if you’re in this for the long game, the data only strengthens what property investment professionals have known for years, which is that real estate isn’t just about shelter, it’s a cornerstone of wealth creation.

Profits galore

In the March 2025 quarter, a whopping 94.9% of Australian properties resold for a profit. Despite a slight dip in the median nominal gain – from $310,000 to $305,000 – the broader picture is one of remarkable resilience.

Loss-making sales made up just 5.1% of the market and came with a relatively modest median loss of $44,000. It’s worth noting that those losses were more likely to stem from short hold periods and mostly for units (around 7.5 years) versus the typical profit-maker mostly for houses (held for nearly nine years).

These latest results highlight what many seasoned investors have long understood, which is that time in the market matters. Holding property over the medium to long-term helps weather the ups and downs and allows you to capitalise on consistent growth. In fact, national house values have risen more than 80% over the past decade. That’s not just growth – it’s generational wealth building.

Digging a little deeper, houses continue to outperform units when it comes to profitability. In the latest figures, 97.2% of house sales turned a profit, compared to 90.1% of units. And the median gain? A hefty $355,000 for houses versus $205,000 for units. It’s a clear reminder for investors to be strategic with dwelling types and location.

Regional results

Which brings us to another strong theme in the data: regional Australia is holding its own – and then some. Regions saw 96.5% of resales deliver a nominal gain, outpacing the capitals at 93.9%.

The pandemic-era trend of tree and sea changers hasn’t just stuck, it’s paying off. Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Busselton, and Byron all recorded eye-watering median resale profits above $400,000. Lifestyle, it turns out, can be lucrative.

And Brisbane? It’s taken the crown as the most profitable capital city, with 99.7% of homes reselling at a gain. That includes a near-recovery in the unit market, which just a few years ago was sitting well below 60% profitability. Now it’s nearly on par with houses. That’s a turnaround story any investor can appreciate.

But what if you’re not an investor… yet?

This data isn’t just for investors. For owner-occupiers, your home is likely one of your biggest financial assets. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or just thinking about entering the market, understanding the trajectory of home values – and the long-term profitability trends – can help you make smarter choices.

Even short-term softness, like what we saw in parts of Melbourne and Sydney’s unit markets, doesn’t negate the long-term upward curve that benefits buyers who hold their nerve (and their keys).

As interest rate cuts in early 2025 begin to flow through the market – with more on the horizon, too – and with prices already starting to lift again, the outlook for both owner-occupiers and investors is brightening.

The key takeaway? Buy smart, hold tight, and let time do the heavy lifting because property isn’t just a place to live – it’s a pathway to future financial freedom.