Queensland property keeps proving itself to be a shining performer, according to quarterly median sales results released by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) earlier this month.
The June 2023 quarter (April – June 2023) revealed that many of the Sunshine State’s property markets remain in an enviable position, with statewide median house prices rising by 4.62 per cent over the quarter, and median unit prices lifting 3 per cent.
Taking a broader view and comparing Queensland’s annual figures, the state saw substantial year on year growth of 5.26 per cent for houses, and 6.91 per cent for units.
Some regional property markets are running particularly hot with double digit annual growth seen in Bundaberg (15.19 per cent for houses, 15.45 per cent for units), and Toowoomba (10.75 per cent for houses, 12.5 per cent for units).
Fraser Coast and Ipswich were also standout annual growth performers, with Fraser Coast houses up 10.71 per cent and units up 17.73 per cent, and Ipswich houses up 11.34 per centand units up 13.69 per cent.
Queensland’s annual median house price reached $650,000, while capital city Brisbane’s annual median sale price dipped back below the $1 million mark to $985,000.
Meanwhile Queensland’s annual median unit price remained just under half a million dollars ($495,000), but reached a record $510,000 in Brisbane – still practically half the price of Brisbane’s median house.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said contrary to commentary that property prices would go ‘belly up’, the data showed overall Queensland property is delivering sustainable growth.
“The dust has settled and we’ve returned to a much more stable sales market, with steady growth for owners and more time for buyers, and that’s a great market to be in,” she said.
“Interestingly, units are leading the way in annual growth in many of the state’s major markets, particularly outpacing house growth in Greater Brisbane and the tourism centres.
“It’s unsurprising that buyers are increasingly recognising the value and appeal of apartments, particularly those wanting to get out of the strained rental market and on to the property ladder.
“Over the past couple of years, the divide between house and unit prices in Brisbane has never been bigger, with units presenting a relative ‘bargain’ entry point and opportunity to live closer to the action.”
Ms Mercorella said immigration to the southeast corner would continue to be a primary driver for property growth, particularly with the Olympics on the horizon.
“While these results are somewhat surprising given rising interest rates, Queensland’s market is buoyed by population growth and a lack of listings hitting the market,” she said.
“It’s slim pickings for buyers hoping to secure a slice of the Sunshine State, and this creates competition and puts upward pressure on prices.
“But buyers have regained some time, with the typical time to sell a house expanding out to 29 days compared to a year ago, and for units its now 25 days, closer to a normal campaign period.
“The buyer mentality has now swung from FOMO (fear of missing out) to FOMM (fear of making a mistake), and accordingly we’ve seen the return of conditional contracts again.”
House market highlights
The highest volume of house sales across the quarter were Brisbane (2,774), Gold Coast (1,780), and Moreton Bay (1,530), followed closely by Logan (1,177) and Sunshine Coast (1,056).
Over the past year however, statewide house listing volumes have dropped by 18.8 per cent, with almost every major market across Queensland showing a double digit decrease in stock.
Noosa retained its title for the most expensive housing market in Queensland with a median house price of $1.3m this quarter, followed by Brisbane ($1.02m), Gold Coast ($985k), and Sunshine Coast ($936K).
The strongest house market performers for quarterly growth were Brisbane (4.62 per cent), Redland (4.58 per cent), and Noosa (4 per cent).
Meanwhile Cairns (-0.35 per cent), Townsville (-0.07 per cent), Sunshine Coast (0.15 per cent), Moreton Bay (0.71 per cent) and Toowoomba (0.95 per cent) all remained relatively stable quarter on quarter.
Looking at annual growth, the top five double-digit house market performers were Bundaberg (15.19 per cent), Ipswich (11.34 per cent), Toowoomba (10.75 per cent), Fraser Coast (10.71 per cent), and Rockhampton (10.61 per cent).
Logan (8.77 per cent) and Cairns (8.65 per cent) also recorded impressive annual growth.
While some house markets experienced a dip in annual growth including Noosa (-4.2 per cent), Brisbane (-2.48 per cent), and Sunshine Coast (-0.53 per cent), it’s worth noting that these markets also hold the title for the highest median annual sales prices, and experienced exponential growth post-COVID. Further, the latest quarterly data show positive signs of growth.
Almost all major markets saw a dramatic increase in the annual median days on market compared to the previous 12 months, with the longest sales campaigns seen in Noosa (57 days), Gladstone (42 days), Sunshine Coast (38 days) and Fraser Coast (35 days).
The fastest moving markets were Toowoomba (18 days), Bundaberg (19 days), Cairns and Ipswich (both 20 days).
Unit market highlights
Far and away Brisbane (2,550) and the Gold Coast (1,532) held firm as the hottest unit markets based on number of quarterly sales, despite annual listing volumes having substantial drops.
Similar to the house market, unit listings were few and far in between with statewide unit listing volumes dropping 17.7 per cent over the year.
Again, Noosa was comfortably crowned the most expensive unit market in Queensland with a median unit price of $1,052,500 this quarter, leaving runner ups, Gold Coast ($645K), and the broader Sunshine Coast ($615K) in its wake.
In fourth place, Brisbane’s quarterly median unit price reached $528K which is just over half of Noosa’s. This shows just how strong and unique a part of the world Noosa is, to significantly overshadow the capital city.
Bundaberg stood out as the strongest unit market performer for quarterly growth at 15.45 per cent based on 58 sales. This was followed by Ipswich (8.48 per cent), Noosa (7.39 per cent), Gladstone (6.38 per cent) and Fraser Coast (4.88 per cent).
Unit markets which took a step backward this quarter, were Toowoomba (-9.21 per cent), Mackay (-8.33 per cent), Sunshine Coast (-3.91 per cent), and Rockhampton (-3.69 per cent), however these four markets are all tracking positively when looking year to year. Townsville’s unit market took a small side step this quarter (-0.49 per cent).
Annual growth in the unit market was strong in double-digits in Fraser Coast (17.73 per cent), Bundaberg (15.45 per cent), Logan (14.82 per cent), Ipswich (13.69 per cent), Toowoomba (12.5 per cent), Cairns (11.11 per cent), Redland (10.43 per cent) and the Gold Coast (10.09 per cent).
Throughout Greater Brisbane, which had an annual median unit price of $480,000, annual median days on market remained relatively steady, fluctuating only a few days up or down. In Queensland’s tourism centres however, some sales campaigns doubled in length.
The longest lengths of time to contract were seen in regional Queensland with Gladstone (62 days), Mackay (54 days), Townsville (49 days), and Rockhampton (45 days). Regional buyers needed to much quicker in Bundaberg (20 days) and Toowoomba (21 days).
The fastest moving unit markets were Cairns and Redland (both 18 days), and Logan (19 days).
