NATIONAL SNAPSHOT: HOUSE PRICES ARE SOARING

NATIONAL SNAPSHOT: HOUSE PRICES ARE SOARING

House prices across Australia are rising at the fastest rate seen in nearly four years! Buyers are rushing in, sellers are holding off, and the market is heating up. According to fresh data from Domain, capital-city house values climbed by a median of $35,000 in the three months to September — up from a $26,000 rise the previous quarter.
In the same vein, 2 out of 3 Australians believe prices will keep going up over the next year, with analysts forecasting growth in the range of $50,000 to $100,000.

In Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane, the median price jumped nearly $40,000 — bringing it to about $1.1 million, placing Brisbane just behind Sydney as the second-most expensive house market. This burst of activity was partly driven by buyers rushing to beat the October rollout of the federal home guarantee scheme (allowing purchases on a 5 % deposit, with the cap raised from $750,000 to $1 million).

Sellers are responding to the strong momentum too — many are putting off listing their homes, waiting to ride the wave just a little longer. That has pushed listing volumes down to the lowest levels since 2010.

Even markets that were previously hot, like Perth, are seeing slower growth — though units there still outpaced houses in some instances. Across Sydney and Melbourne-metro, growth continues but with different dynamics in each city (for example, Melbourne’s relative affordability and higher new-construction pipeline are factors moderating its rapid rise).

With the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) emphasising that supply-side fixes may not cool prices until 2027, and the prospect of another interest rate cut in 2025 on the table — the momentum looks set to continue.

What this means for the Bundaberg region

Now let’s zoom in on our backyard: the wider Bundaberg area (including coastal suburbs like Bargara) — and what these national forces mean for local real estate.

Strong tailwinds for Bundaberg

• Bundaberg remains one of the more affordable markets in Queensland. This position gives it then advantage when prices are rising in major metros — buyers looking for value will increasingly look regionally. According to local trend analysis, the median house price growth is steady.
• Rental demand is tight — which is very positive from a landlord/investor perspective. Local data shows solid rental yields and low vacancy rates.
• Lifestyle trends (sea-change, regional living) continue to drive interest — Bundaberg and Bargara offer strong appeal for families, retirees, remote workers, and holiday-home buyers.
• Infrastructure and supply metrics in Bundaberg show a controlled pipeline of new dwellings, which may help mitigate oversupply risk and support continuing value growth.

Some caveats to keep in mind

• While Bundaberg is growing, it’s not moving at the same break-neck pace as some capital-city suburbs. Income levels in the region are still below the state median.
• The national surge in metro house prices may spill over into regional markets — but timing and magnitude can vary. If major cities pull back, it could soften the tailwind for regional markets.
• With national supply concerns still flagged by the RBA till 2027, this suggests sustained pressure on demand and rising prices — however, for Bundaberg, new large estates or new supply could moderate future growth if not managed well.
• Investors must still consider local factors like rental yield, maintenance, infrastructure and exposure to economic shifts (for example tourism, employment base) when looking at Bundaberg.

Our prediction for Bundaberg real estate prices

Given the national upswing and local fundamentals, here’s how I see Bundaberg’s market shaping in the coming 12-24 months:

• Houses: I expect continued price growth in the range of 5–8% per annum for well-located houses in the Bundaberg/Bargara market. Premium lifestyle locations (coastal, acreage) may see the higher end of that range.
• Units: Growth will still occur, though perhaps slightly more modest — given the smaller entry price and possibly higher sensitivity to supply.
• Investors: We’ll likely see strong competition for good rental properties, healthy yields and shorter time on market.
• Sellers: It’s a favourable time to list — if your property is in good condition and correctly priced, you could benefit from both capital growth and strong buyer activity.
• Buyers: Time is of the essence — buying now may mean you avoid paying significantly more a year or two down the track, especially if the national trend continues.