Australian Residential Valuer Insights Q1 2026

The latest release of our Residential Valuer Insight series offers detailed insights from CBRE’s Residential Valuers, who outline current market demand, buyer types, supply (listings) and future value expectations. For Q1 2026, our Valuers report: 

• Buyer sentiment remains strong: More than half of CBRE Valuers indicated ‘strong’ to ‘very strong’ demand, with the strongest demand in Perth and Brisbane Metro. Softer demand is evident in Melbourne Metro and Canberra.
• Demand by property type: Demand has remained strong for established houses, new houses, and recently renovated properties. However, more Valuers reported increased demand for vacant land this quarter.
• First home buyers/Local investors: First home buyers, local investors, and upgraders were again the most active buyer types this quarter. Compared to this time last year, there has been an uptick in interstate investor activity and a slight dip in down-sizer activity.
• Property values next 12 months: For Houses, 70% of Valuers expect value growth in the next year, up from 55% last year. For Apartments, 54% of Valuers expect value growth, up from 35% last year. For Vacant Land, 68% of Valuers expect value growth, up from 43% last year. Overall, the highest conviction being for Perth, Brisbane Metro, and Adelaide.  
• Future demand: In the Q1 2026 survey, 36% of Valuers expect demand to increase in the next 12 months, whilst 53% anticipate demand will remain stable. Digging deeper, the strongest demand is expected in Melbourne Metro, Adelaide, and Sydney Metro.
• Future supply (listings): Supply expectations remain steady compared to the previous quarter, with views still split between anticipating increased listings or stable conditions in local markets. Melbourne Metro and Sydney Metro is where most supply is anticipated.