PropTrack senior economist Eleanor Creagh says home prices have increased over 75 per cent across Queensland since March 2020 – great for homeowners, terrible for buyers.

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Home prices have hit a new peak across Brisbane and the regions, locking even more buyers out of a market that continues to defy affordability woes.

The latest PropTrack Home Price Index, released Tuesday, found Brisbane’s median dwelling prices hit $855,000 in September, with prices rising over 75 per cent in the past four years.

Brisbane continues to see strong demand from buyers, especially interstate investors, due to a substantial $248,000 gap between it and Sydney.

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Brisbane saw a 13.31 per cent rise in its median dwelling price this past year.

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PropTrack senior economist Eleanor Creagh said Brisbane had a 13.31 per cent rise in home prices in the past year, while the rest of Queensland did not fare much better with a 10.98 per cent increase to $695,000.

“Since the pandemic onset in March 2020, home prices have surged across Queensland, increasing by 75.2 per cent in Brisbane and 75.3 per cent in regional Queensland,” she said, while Sydney and NSW rose 38.5 and 53.8 per cent respectively.

Five parts of the state are outpacing Brisbane’s annual rate, led by Townsville which was the highest performer in the country with a 23.53 per cent rise to $464,000 in its dwelling price.

Central Queensland saw its hoe price jump 19.69 per cent in the past year to $469,000, Ipswich was up 17.83 per cent to $701,000, and two areas within Brisbane beat the capital pace too – Brisbane West 15.08 per cent to $1.127m and Brisbane North 14.78 per cent to $941,000.

Brisbane home price growth heat map. Source: PropTrack.

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The Gold Coast was also still on a double digit pace at 11.49 per cent to $963,000, while Cairns was up 9.26 per cent to $546,000 and the Sunshine Coast is now at an 8.01 per cent trot at $1,004,000.

Ms Creagh said “Brisbane remains one of the strongest performing markets over the past year” while regional Queensland’s annual growth was beaten only by regional WA (+15.47 per cent).

“Housing demand remains resilient, defying affordability constraints with prices lifting across much of the country in September, albeit at a slower pace in most markets.”

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Many families are now locked out of buying a house and will opt for units.

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In other states the number of homes listed for sale has lifted giving buyers more choice, but Queensland was still struggling on that front.

“July’s tax cuts boosted borrowing capacities and buyers’ budgets, while the persistent growth in home prices is likely motivating some to overcome affordability challenges and transact.”

“Though prices are rising, sustained high interest rates, cost of living pressures, weak consumer sentiment and affordability constraints are weighing.”

She said uncertainty around the timing of interest rate cuts could have an impact on the pace of growth too, but prices were expected to continue to lift through the busier spring selling season.

SEPT HOME PRICE PERFORMANCE:

Brisbane +13.31 per cent to $855,000

Rest of Qld + 10.98 per cent to $695,000

Townsville +23.53pc to $464,000

Central Queensland +19.69pc to $469,000

Ipswich +17.83pc to $701,000

Brisbane West +15.08pc to $1,127,000

Brisbane North +14.78pc to $941,000

Gold Coast +11.49pc to $963,000

Cairns 9.26pc to $546,000

Sunshine Coast +8.01pc to $1,004,000

(SOURCE: PropTrack Home Price Index)

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