What an extraordinary start to the year we have witnessed following the completion of Australia’s premier auction program, The Event. I remain incredibly proud of what my brother Greg and I have built over the past 32 years, and to see it evolve into the most watched real estate auction program in the country is both humbling and rewarding.
This year, the program once again rewrote the record books. More than 100 properties were presented to the market across an exceptional range of assets, including land, townhouses, villas, apartments and houses spanning affordable, middle-market and prestige price points. The standout sale reached $13 million, reflecting the continued strength of the premium sector.
One of the most notable trends throughout the campaign was the level of pre-auction activity. Approximately one third of all properties sold prior to auction, with buyer demand producing offers too compelling for sellers to ignore. By auction day, the clearance rate reached 84 per cent, and following continued negotiations, total sales have now exceeded 90 per cent, equating to approximately $110 million in property transacted.
Importantly, this year’s program placed significant focus on supporting middle-market buyers, an initiative that proved highly successful. We were delighted to assist a large number of buyers in securing their first home or transitioning into their next property. Feedback from both buyers and sellers reinforced the professionalism of the campaign and the dedication demonstrated by our entire team.
Encouragingly, we also recorded strong buyer depth, with many qualified purchasers missing out on securing property during the campaign. This presents a significant opportunity for property owners considering selling, particularly while buyer competition remains high.
Recent data from Domain indicates the Central Gold Coast market has experienced average days on market of 78.1 days for houses and 80 days for apartments over the past three months. By comparison, many properties presented through The Event sold within seven days, with the majority transacting within 30 days, frequently achieving record results. This clearly highlights the effectiveness of a well-structured auction campaign delivered by experienced agents.
Another positive development has been the return of investors to the market, which is particularly important given the ongoing national rental shortage. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, new mortgage commitments to investors increased by 17.6 per cent in the September quarter, reaching a record $39.8 billion.
Broader market indicators also remain encouraging. National dwelling values concluded 2025 at approximately $959,000, representing annual growth of 12 per cent — the strongest growth outside the COVID boom in more than two decades. Growth has largely been driven by buyers with stronger incomes or existing equity, particularly within lower to middle price brackets. These segments have also benefited from first home buyer incentives and stamp duty concessions.
The commercial sector has similarly experienced significant momentum, with transactions increasing by 27 per cent to $85.6 billion in 2025. Queensland has been a standout performer, recording 61 per cent growth in transaction volumes and accounting for 25 per cent of national activity.
Looking ahead, inflation remains a key factor influencing market sentiment. Current figures sit at 3.8 per cent, placing pressure on the Reserve Bank of Australia regarding potential interest rate adjustments. While further increases remain possible, my expectation is that any movements will likely be measured and gradual. This aligns with many forecasts suggesting a period of flatter growth or moderate market stabilisation throughout 2026, with clearer direction likely to emerge following the Easter period.
Consumer sentiment has shown modest improvement, with the ANZ Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index rising 4.7 points to 84. While this remains slightly below levels recorded last year, stronger confidence levels in Queensland and New South Wales provide encouraging signals for market stability.
As always, if you are considering selling and would like to position your property ahead of any potential market softening, or if you wish to access the large pool of finance-approved buyers currently active, I encourage you to reach out to our team.
With nearly five decades of industry experience, I remain committed to providing clear, informed insights into the market. I look forward to updating you again in the coming fortnight.
