The Brisbane property market update for autumn 2026 is a strong one, and if the first couple of months are anything to go by, it’s going to be a busy year.
Brisbane Market Snapshot
Brisbane dwelling values are at a record high, up 17.3% over the past year and 1.6% in February alone. To put that in context, Sydney grew 6% and Melbourne 4.7% over the same period. Brisbane is in a different league right now.
Homes are selling in a median of just 21 days, and advertised stock is sitting 31% below its five-year average. New listings are also tracking about 10% below last year’s levels, which tells you sellers aren’t rushing to market either.
The combination of strong demand and very tight supply is keeping upward pressure on prices right across the city.
The RBA raised the cash rate to 3.85% in February – the first increase since late 2023 and another move is possible on 17th March. It’s worth watching, but Brisbane’s fundamentals are strong. Population growth, tight supply, serious infrastructure investment and the Olympics on the horizon are all doing their job. The data supports that view, and the city’s affordability relative to Sydney and Melbourne continues to attract buyers from interstate.
How’s the Market?
It really depends on what you’re buying and where, but across most of Brisbane right now, if something good hits the market and is priced sensibly, it moves swiftly.
This Brisbane property market update for autumn 2026 shows the entry and mid-range segments are as competitive as I’ve seen them. Brisbane dwelling values grew 4.8% in the last quarter alone, at a time when Sydney was flat and Melbourne was slightly negative. The lower end of the market is driving much of that growth, and it shows on the ground.
Anything well-presented, low-maintenance and sensibly priced is attracting multiple offers, often going under contract after a single open. First home buyers, investors and downsizers are all competing for the same properties. Preparation makes all the difference. Clients who have their finance sorted, know their brief and are ready to move quickly are the ones getting results.
I also work hard to keep offers clean and terms tight – typically a five-day maximum clause, which matters a lot to sellers and their agents in a competitive multiple-offer situation.
The middle of the market is performing well too, though the pace feels slightly more measured. Well-renovated homes with good land, usable layouts and lifestyle appeal are still moving quickly when priced correctly. Buyers in this range are well-informed and not afraid to walk away if something doesn’t stack up, but when the right home comes along, they act.
The top end, particularly in the $4 million to $6 million range, is softer and more measured. Buyers up here aren’t in a rush and are very selective. Homes that don’t hit the mark on presentation or pricing are sitting longer. That said, outstanding homes in tightly held pockets are still getting strong attention, and off-market activity at this level remains very much alive.
On the Ground
January was an interesting one this year. A number of inner-city agents took a proper break over summer, many not returning until late January, which meant the listings pipeline was quieter than usual for a few weeks. For buyers who stayed active, it created some real opportunity, and I made the most of it.
Over the past couple of months I’ve helped clients secure properties across several Brisbane suburbs including Ashgrove, Toowong, Kelvin Grove, Auchenflower, Margate and Wynnum West, a good spread of locations and price points.
At the moment I’m working across a number of active searches, with a Paddington investment property for a local investor and a family home in the inner west close to St Joseph’s Primary in Bardon and would love a home in Ashgrove, among several briefs I’m currently working on.
Until Next Time
Brisbane continues to be one of the most compelling property markets in the country, and the outlook for the rest of 2026 remains positive. Tight supply, solid demand and strong fundamentals don’t change overnight.
If you’re thinking about buying or simply want to talk through what I’m seeing, I’m always happy to share my view.
Thinking about buying in Brisbane’s inner west? Contact me for a no-obligation chat, or head to the blog for more market insights.
Take care, Sam Price — Buyer’s Agent and Registered Property Valuer, Brisbane
