As we head into spring, momentum in the property market is building.

On the ground, we’re seeing busy open homes across Brisbane, Noosa and the Gold Coast. Entry-level properties are attracting high demand, with 10–15 groups at inspections and up over 10 offers in the first weekend is fairly common in some areas.

The new Sellers Disclosure Statement or ‘Form 2’ has added extra work for the sellers preparing to hit the market, this has slowed down some negotiations earlier in the month, but as the month rolled on the industry continued to get more comfortable with this. 

The broader market is shifting quickly, and with changes to the government incentives for First Home Buyers, strong investor activity and record ‘profit-making sales’, having a solid plan and strategy is more important than ever for anyone looking to buy. With this in mind, our advice to anyone looking to buy under $1 million is to move early, act strategically and buy before the 1st of October when the incentives really kick in.

This month our team has secured some cracking properties for clients across the region, as well as uncovering a number of unique pre and off-market opportunities thanks to our strong relationships with selling agents. 

Last month the talk was around building costs and Brisbane has now been named the most expensive major city to build in Australia, according to the 2025 Global Construction Market Intelligence Report. 

From a company update, we’re growing and are currently looking for an Associate Buyers Agent to work alongside myself and the team. If you know someone who would be a great fit, head to our website for more details.

In the office, we’ve also been talking about AI and how it might impact our industry. While tools like ChatGPT are brilliant for planning your next trip to Europe or Singapore, we’re seeing some real discrepancies when it comes to property data. It’s a reminder that while AI is helpful, it can’t replace the experience, market knowledge and relationships needed to make informed property decisions just yet.

Jason Baron, Director / Property Buyers Agent

INDUSTRY NEWS

First home buyers update

From 1 October 2025, the Home Guarantee Scheme is getting a major boost.

• Unlimited places – no cap on spots
• Higher property price limits
• No income caps
• Deposit from just 5% with no LMI

New property price caps

• Brisbane, Sunshine Coast & Gold Coast: up to $1m
• Sydney metro: up to $1.5m
• Melbourne metro: up to $950k

What it means for buyers
This will bring more competition into the $700k–$1m price bracket in particular, with stronger activity expected into summer. If you’re planning to buy, now is the time to have your strategy in place before the changes come into effect.

Profit-making sales at record highs

Domain’s latest Profit and Loss Report shows sellers continue to benefit from strong demand:

• 97% of house and 88% of unit resales achieved a profit in the first half of 2025
• Median gross profit: $365,000 for houses, $202,000 for units
• Brisbane led with 99.5% of house resales making a profit
  Units also performed strongly, with 99% of sales in Brisbane achieving a gain

These results highlight the long-term impact of price growth since 2021, supported by longer hold periods — around 9 years for houses and 8 years for units.

Investor demand is surging

New ABS figures confirm investors are back in force:

• $87.7B in total lending for the June quarter (+2% QoQ, +7.2% YoY)
• 49,065 investor loans written (+3.5%)
• 80,929 owner-occupier loans (+0.9%)
  28,861 first home buyer loans

Nearly half of all new loans are now going to investors, making competition even stronger across key markets.

NEWS

Ask an Architect

As part of the Sunshine Coast Open House weekend, the committee and I are also preparing a couple of lead-in events on including the always popular Ask an Architect.

Where: Ace Stone + Tiles, 18 Bearing Ave, Warana
When: Saturday, 12 October 2024, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Booking required

Thinking about building a new home or renovating an existing one? Ask an Architect is the perfect opportunity to get inspired and receive professional guidance in a relaxed setting. Book a free 30-minute session with a local architect or interior designer and walk away with ideas tailored to your project.

Spots are limited, head to the Sunshine Coast Open House website or contact me directly to secure your place.

CASE STUDY

Owner occupier purchase

Kent Street, Red Hill QLD

Our client initially missed out at auction when the property was passed in. That’s when they engaged us to take the reins post-auction. With a clear, brief and defined budget, we assessed the market, liaised with the agent, and negotiated a successful result, securing the property for $2,000,000 with ideal terms and a smooth settlement.

Set in a tightly held pocket of Red Hill, this charming home offered a rare opportunity in one of Brisbane’s most sought-after inner-city suburbs. A great outcome made possible through trusted relationships, local insight and a calm, post-auction strategy.

number crunch

• Final Purchase Price: $2,000,000
• Listed Price: Auction campaign (no price guide disclosed)
• Purchase Type: Post-auction negotiation
• Purchasing Time: 1 week post-auction
• Timeframe: Under contract within 1 week of engagement

Email us to see more of our recent case studies