07/10/2026
Three rate rises this year have cut into borrowing power, and buyers are following their budgets. This means looking further from capital cities, at regional markets, or at units instead of houses.
Our First National offices are seeing it first-hand.
The biggest jumps in house searches between July 2025 and July 2026:
🔹Julatten, near Port Douglas, up 235 per cent (land there can still sell for under $1 million),
🔹Biggenden up 222 per cent
🔹Apple Tree Creek up 210 per cent, both inland of Hervey Bay.
Capital cities are feeling it too. Risdon Vale and Gagebrook in Hobart, and Monash, Oxley and Holder in Canberra, are all drawing more interest as buyers chase value close to the city.
Thinking of selling? Let's get your property match-ready. firstnational.com.au
Source: realestate.com.au