By Melinda Jennison, Buyers Agent, Streamline Property Buyers | 2-4-2025 | Residential

Long-awaited clarity on the venues for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics is set to deliver a major jolt to property prices in many parts of the Queensland capital.

Brisbane’s troubled start when it comes to deciding where to house its numerous Olympic venues has at last delivered some clarity.

The long-awaited announcements on venues and associated infrastructure are at last set to bring forward significant urban renewal and increased investor interest and instil much-needed economic confidence.

Plans to upgrade the famous but outdated Gabba stadium in Woolloongabba have been ditched in favour of a new 63,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park in the city’s inner north. The Gabba will be demolished after the Games. A 25,000-seat swimming complex will be built in Spring Hill.

The ripple effect on the local property market, especially in Brisbane’s inner and middle-ring suburbs, cannot be underestimated.

The Olympic announcement comes at as the Brisbane property market continues its upward trajectory.

According to CoreLogic, Brisbane’s dwelling values annual growth was 8.6 per cent.

With headline inflation now at 2.4 per cent, it marks a solid return on investment.

Brisbane outperformed many of its capital city counterparts, including Sydney (0.3 per cent monthly, 0.4 per cent quarterly, 0.9 per cent annually) and Melbourne (0.5 per cent monthly, 0.3 per cent quarterly, -2.6 per cent annually), highlighting the strength of the city’s fundamentals.

Brisbane’s real estate market showed resilience in the wake of ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred. Contrary to early predictions, the weather event had a negligible impact on property demand, which has remained strong across the housing and unit segments.

Insights from the latest Housing Industry Association (HIA) housing forecasts place Brisbane in a strong but challenging position. Nationally, more homes are being completed than commenced, which points to a looming supply crunch.

This is particularly relevant for Brisbane, where high levels of interstate migration continue to drive demand, yet land availability close to the city remains scarce. The growing mismatch between new completions and starts is expected to tighten supply well into 2026, exacerbating price pressures.

Migration trends further highlight Brisbane’s unique position. While New South Wales and Victoria continue to attract the bulk of overseas migrants, Brisbane leads the nation in net interstate migration.

Lifestyle appeal, relative affordability, and strong employment opportunities make Brisbane particularly attractive, fuelling underlying demand for housing.

At the same time, real wage growth across the country remains subdued, yet consumer sentiment has been on the rise, bolstered by the February interest rate cut.

Improved confidence and a moderate lift in borrowing capacity have reignited buyer activity.

Brisbane dwelling values

In March, Brisbane’s median dwelling value climbed to $899,824, a monthly increase of 0.4 per cent, matching the national average.

When examining the market by segment, lower quartile properties experienced the strongest quarterly growth at 2.6 per cent, significantly outpacing the upper quartile which recorded just 0.4 per cent.

This trend clearly highlights the ongoing influence of affordability on buyer behaviour, with value-conscious purchasers continuing to drive demand, particularly in more accessible segments such as units and townhouses throughout Brisbane.

The unit segment continues to outshine houses, with Brisbane’s median unit value reaching $694,577. Annually, unit values have grown 14.1 per cent, underscoring the persistent demand in this segment.

Affordability, limited listings, and increased investor interest are contributing to this growth.

Outlook suggests sustained, steady price growth

Brisbane’s property market is entering the second quarter of 2025 on a firm footing. The Olympic infrastructure announcement adds a wave of certainty and optimism.

Dwelling and unit values continue to climb steadily, outperforming many other capital cities.

Interest rate cuts are expected later in the year, though monetary policy will likely remain restrictive through 2025. Consumer sentiment, however, is rising, driven by easing inflation, government cost-of-living support, and growing confidence in a rate-cutting cycle.

Looking ahead, Brisbane remains well positioned for moderate, sustained growth throughout the year. Infrastructure spending, tight supply, and a structurally supported demand base continue to underpin the market. For buyers and investors seeking quality opportunities, the guidance of a trusted and experienced buyers agent has never been more essential.

As we move further into 2025, all signs suggest Brisbane will continue to outperform most other locations throughout Australia, driven by solid demand fundamentals, infrastructure stimulus, and a population migration wave that shows no signs of slowing.

https://www.apimagazine.com.au/news/article/brisbane-olympics-slow-off-starting-block-but-venue-clarity-set-to-boost-property-prices?ce_code=558mIh5w3UgL36zlsOUkQptIzZuvoZZn&utm_source=api+newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=api+newsletter&utm_content=2025-04-03