The inaugural realestate.com.au Hot 100 has been released, identifying the top 100 suburbs across Australia including three on the Sunshine Coast.
Bli Bli, Nambour and Sippy Downs were among 24 Queensland suburbs nominated based on various mid- and long-term growth drivers including:
- Affordability
- Amenity
- Family appeal
- Location
- Investment prospects
- Gentrification
- Population growth
- Demographic change
- Infrastructure.
The exhaustive list is compiled from the insights of a panel of industry experts including the head of a major agency group, buyer’s agents, researchers, and an academic – and complemented by PropTrack data and economic analysis.
PropTrack economist Anne Flaherty says a number of trends were evident when examining the Hot 100 list.
“Many suburbs were selected based on their affordability, which is a key concern of some buyers currently active in the market,” Ms Flaherty says.
“Livability was another key driver of selection. Since the onset of COVID, people place higher importance on lifestyle.
“And opportunities for future growth were also important.”
Director of economic research at PropTrack Cameron Kusher says, “despite the rapid increases in rates through 2022 and subsequently reduced borrowing capacities and lower home prices, there are still plenty of suburbs that offer great opportunities.”
Part of the expert panel, real estate buyer Kate Hill says with so many thriving suburbs on the Sunshine Coast, narrowing it down to just three was challenging.
“It was really tricky, I could have picked a lot more,” she says. “What’s not to love about the Sunshine Coast? There’s also Caloundra, Little Mountain, Birtinya – the list goes on.
“The reason Sippy Downs is one of my top 10 nationwide suburbs is because of what it represents for the whole area.
“It’s 15 minutes from some of the best beaches, you have the university on your doorstep, there are great schools, Youi headquarters.
“It ticks every box for me. Lifestyle, infrastructure spending, diversity of jobs, rampant economy and it’s a great family area. It doesn’t get any better.”
A stone’s throw from all the urban conveniences the Sunshine Coast has to offer makes Bli Bli a close second choice for Ms Hill.
“Like other parts of the Coast, it’s seen its population grow sharply over the past few years, with homebuyers drawn to its semi-rural feel,” Ms Hill says.
“The suburb is near the beach, airport and wetlands, making its lifestyle offering enticing.”
Rounding off Ms Hill’s top three is Nambour. Seen as the economic heart of the Sunshine Coast, she says the hinterland town is at the beginning of an exciting new era.
“The economy is strengthening, the population is forecast to grow significantly, and there’s a big focus on job creation,” Ms Hill says.
“It’s a desirable place to live and has more affordable housing market than suburbs closer to the ocean.”