Luxe Property Trends with Luxe Coastal Property Buyers
Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer uncovers powerful property insights when a local property buyer and head researcher for one of the world’s leading services provider of property data, information and analytics discuss the current property trends shaping the Sunshine Coast and South East Queensland. Read on for all the real estate realities…
Christine Mount of Luxe Coastal Property Buyers has built a strong reputation as a trusted advisor through fostering personal relationships and sharing market insights. Her ‘Living Your Luxe Life’ podcast is part of her commitment to sharing stories from the region with the right balance of technical data to help investors and homeowners make an informed decision. Her latest episode features fellow Noosa local, Tim Lawless, Head Researcher of CoreLogic Asia-Pacific.
The episode dives into everything from working remotely in this beautiful lifestyle location to the ins-and-outs of the prestige property market and why investors are reallocating funds – and relocating – to South East Queensland. Here are some of the key takeaways from their conversation, perfect for anyone who wants to understand more about the Sunshine Coast’s evolving property landscape:
Noosa is ideal for remote working
Tim Lawless, Head Researcher for CoreLogic, has called Noosa home for more than a decade, a choice he made well before remote working became a common practice. Drawn by the work-life balance, Tim found Noosa ideal for combining family life with a flexible work environment.
“The Sunshine Coast provides a good balance, offering proximity to Brisbane and Sydney, essential for remote work and client accessibility,” he shares, adding that over the last few years, Noosa has attracted families taking advantage of the flexibility offered by remote and hybrid work arrangements, resulting in a community that’s shifting from retirees to younger families.
Reflecting on his move to the area, Tim described his strong connection to the water and the lifestyle appeal.
“Being able to work remotely in such a lifestyle-driven area is rare, and more people are realising the unique benefits Noosa offers,” he said.
Victorian investors are focusing on South East Queensland
With rising property taxes and tightening rental regulations in Victoria, many southern investors are now setting their sights on South East Queensland as a more favourable market. Tim explains that Queensland’s tax environment and growth potential make it especially attractive.
“Victorian investors are reallocating funds, seeking greater affordability and capital gains in South East Queensland,” he said. “The Sunshine Coast, and particularly areas like Noosa, offer more value-for-money with strong lifestyle appeal, quality of life, and steady growth potential – factors especially attractive to investors moving from high-priced markets like Melbourne and Sydney.”
Investment demand in Queensland is notably high, with investment loans now above the typical one-third average and accounting for 38% of new home loans nationally, and even higher at over 40% in Queensland. This heightened investor interest has been driven by a 70% rise in Sunshine Coast property values since the pandemic, fuelled by high demand and limited supply. Tim advises focusing on areas with long-term growth potential and scarcity, such as Sunshine Beach, Noosaville, and Noosa Heads, which, while commanding a higher entry price, are likely to see stronger capital gains over time. For those seeking an affordable balance between capital growth and rental yield, he suggests suburbs such as Tewantin.
“These areas provide an attractive mix of affordability and growth,” he said, adding that even smaller suburbs offer opportunities for solid returns.
The prestige property market is acting as an independent asset class
Tim said the prestige property market on the Sunshine Coast, particularly for properties valued above $5 million, has evolved into a distinctive asset class.
“High-end properties are driven by unique dynamics, with buyers often unaffected by traditional market influences like interest rates or economic fluctuations,” he said. “Prestige markets don’t face the same vulnerabilities as the general market. High-equity buyers and cash transactions create a different buying dynamic.”
In 2023 and 2024, South East Queensland has recorded notable transactions, including a $28 million sale on Sunshine Beach brokered by Luxe Coastal Property Buyers; and a $30 million sale for a home in Witta Circle on Noosa Sound, marking the region as a hotspot for affluent buyers. The luxury market’s resilience is partly due to its distinct buyer demographic – many of whom make cash purchases or draw from high equity – which insulates it from typical economic shifts.
“Properties in the prestige sector operate independently of typical market forces, as buyers are not typically reliant on mortgage conditions,” Tim explained.
“Buyers relocating from southern cities find they can stretch their capital much further on the Sunshine Coast. In places like Melbourne, $5 million might buy a terrace in the inner city, whereas on the Sunshine Coast, you can secure a larger property with land and lifestyle amenities.”
Looking ahead, the 2032 Olympics are set to bring lasting improvements to the region’s infrastructure, with projects to boost transportation, accessibility and amenities that would further elevate the Sunshine Coast’s value and appeal as a prestige market. With continued growth in population thanks to lifestyle-driven relocations and a favourable investment climate, the Sunshine Coast’s appeal remains strong.
In conclusion, Tim said the Sunshine Coast had a lifestyle-centric market that operated differently from metropolitan areas, drawing buyers who prioritise lifestyle and community.
“Those who understand and value these factors will find strong opportunities here,” he said.
For more insights and information, download the latest interview on the Living your Luxe Life podcast.
