The Gold Coast’s property market is showing signs of momentum. Here’s what’s driving activity in the suburbs we are working within at present.
For much of the past two years, the Sydney property market has felt a little subdued. Listing levels have been low, demand has been stable but not spectacular, and price gains have been relatively modest with some exceptions.
But in spring 2025, the market conditions are starting to look different.
There’s been a real shift over winter, with a new level of positivity taking hold in our local property market. We’re seeing more active buyers, more competition when homes go to auction and, best of all, more properties coming to market – finally.
Right now, however, there seems to be just as much appetite in the market for apartments and entry-level properties with strong numbers at open homes and genuine buyer interest across the board.
That said, there’s also a lot of action at the top end of the property market, too. In fact, there has now been 3 houses in Burleigh Waters sell in excess of $5,000,000. Something a few years ago, people wouldn’t have considered possible.
We’ve noticed several factors driving the current market in spring 2025.
1. Lower interest rates are finally having an effect
Research shows cuts tend to take 6-12 months to work through to the economy and sometimes as long as two years. So, the RBA cuts which began in February, are only likely being felt by home buyers now.
Buyers and economists are also hopeful there are further rate cuts on the way, with economists at the big four banks forecasting at least one more rate cut for 2025 (most likely in November), and further cuts in 2026.
2. Consumer sentiment is growing stronger
August 2025 saw the highest level of positive consumer sentiment in almost three years, according to the Westpac Consumer Index. While this slipped slightly in September, it is still higher than at any point since April 2022 (with one blip in March 2025).
When people feel positive about economic conditions they’re more likely to buy a home because they feel their home is more likely to hold its value. They also feel more confident about being able to meet ongoing mortgage repayments.
3. More generous first home buyer incentives begin soon
The First Home Buyer Scheme will be expanded early October, with the property threshold lifted to $1 million (currently $700,000) and income requirements scrapped. First home buyers are active in the beachside suburbs like Burleigh, Miami and Palm Beach and this will lift further when the scheme’s criteria change.
4. Investors are returning to the market.
ABS Data shows that investor lending jumped 3.5% in the June quarter compared with a year ago – a higher lift than any other buyer group. Investors typically look for apartments and entry-level properties, and are likely to compete strongly with first home buyers.
Again, this means we’ll almost certainly see more activity at this level of the market.
5. More properties are coming up for sale.
While conventional wisdom might say that more supply means lower prices, we find the reverse can be true.
Extra stock often actually gives buyers the confidence to transact. That’s because upsizers and downsizers are more likely to find a property that allows them to make a move, freeing them up to make a competitive offer.