Gold Coast Property Market – The Expert Opinion
The Gold Coast property market – is it set to soar or take a nosedive? Here’s what you need to know before viewing or signing anything. The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s premium holiday areas but, as you’ll soon find out, there’s a lot more to it than that.
The property market has been volatile across the country for several years, but let’s look at how the Gold Coast has fared and what we expect for 2025 and beyond.
Gold Coast Property Market Forecast
It’s the sixth largest city in the country and the Gold Coast greatly benefited from the Commonwealth Games, with more than $10 billion in infrastructure investment, with the money being used for a new hospital, sporting facilities, cultural projects, light rail links, and beyond. It was this investment that created the upswing in positive property market performance.
The Gold Coast is made up of a combination of luxury beachfront properties and affordable family homes, making it a great spot for continued growth, whether you’re a homebuyer or an investor. Everyone can find an attractive opportunity in a strong, dynamic market. It’s this blend of properties that has created the 12% increase in property prices over the last year, with the median house price now more than $1 million.
In the past, the Gold Coast was prone to cycles of boom and bust, which was a result of high-rise apartments being in oversupply. However, there’s now a housing shortage due to high material costs and a lack of skilled labour.
This gave way to a supply and demand imbalance, resulting in upward pressure on rent and property prices, alongside strong population growth and a highly desirable lifestyle. This shift has benefited the area greatly, leading to more sustainable growth than in previous years.
Gold Coast’s Real Estate Market – Stellar Suburbs
If you’re interested in the Gold Coast, but you’re not sure where to start, that’s okay! According to Homely, there are a few suburbs you should focus your property search.
· Bundall
· Broadbeach Waters
· Coombabah
· Elanora
· Helensvale
· Molendinar
· Merrimac
· Bethania
· Benowa
· Reedy Creek
These specific areas are located close to amenities, community resources, recreational activities, and great transport links. Of course, they’re not the only hot spots in the Gold Coast, it might be down to personal preference and what type of interests and needs you have. So, don’t be afraid to colour outside the lines and search further afield if these options don’t fit your lifestyle or budget.
As a whole, the Gold Coast is an idyllic place to live, and the real estate market is in a prime position, whether you’re looking for a home to grow your family in or branching out into property investing. It’s a good time to buy.
Median unit prices are around $700,000, which makes it a good option for young professionals looking to put roots down or investors looking for rental properties. With an average rental yield of 4.15%, which is an increase of almost 40% in the last three years, it’s an excellent choice.
Gold Coast Specifics – What to Look Out For
As per Brisbane, Gold Coast investment properties come with their own fair share of issues.
• Flooding and wild weather events can be a concern for investors (and their insurances). Check the Gold Coast flood mapping resources to see if this might put a dampener on your investment plans.
• Building and pest inspections are a must in this area due to the presence of the kind of pests and rodents attracted by the humidity and proximity to water. Many of the buildings here are of an age wherein you’ll need to ensure that materials have not become damage or broken down over time.
It doesn’t need to be a determining factor, however, if you have the budget to carry out the necessary repairs to prevent pest infestation. The earlier you carry out a pest and building inspection, the better off you’ll be in the investment game.
Gold Coast Property Market – It’s for Families
The Gold Coast offers plenty of amenities ideal for growing families, but there’s also a wealth of educational opportunities, whether you’re looking for a state or faith school or you want to take the independent route.
Top secondary schools in the Gold Coast property market area are:
• Somerset College
• All Saints Anglican College
• Emmanuel College
• A.B. Paterson College
• St Hilda’s School
• Hillcrest Christian College
• Coomera Anglican College
• Trinity Lutheran College
• Palm-Beach Currumbin State High School
• Saint Stephen’s College
• Benowa State High School
• King’s Christian College
• St Andrew’s Lutheran College
• Silkwood School
• Marymount College
If you have children and you want to ensure they receive the best education or want to ensure the school is a good fit, you can review school exam results and performance reviews before you even start a property search. Investing in property in a good school catchment area can also increase your rental yield. While the retail trade and accommodation and food services are some of the highest employment sectors due to holiday trade, the leading employment sector is healthcare and social assistance.
Construction, education and training, manufacturing, public administration and safety, and professional scientific and technical services are also leading employment sectors in the area.
The Gold Coast – A Fast-Growing City
From a population of just 29,034 in 1950 to a population of 742,600 in 2024, the area has come a long way. That number has increased by more than 10,000 in the last year alone and it shows no signs of slowing, as more and more people recognise the wonders of the GC.
The Gold Coast has always been a popular spot, but the Commonwealth Games kicked off a population increase that has continued.
With so much investment, the area is rich in job creation, with positions available across a variety of industries. So, whether you’re looking for stellar investment opportunities or you want to live a simple, coastal life, the Gold Coast is a great spot to start.
