Quarterly market update SPRING 2026 Courtesy of Ray White Bensville & Empire Bay
The macro view of the market shows a housing downturn underway. Higher interest rates have reduced borrowing capacity, while the Federal Budget has deliberately made investing in established residential property less attractive. Even so, national house prices are unlikely to fall far during this property cycle given the extent to which construction costs have risen. The cost of building a new house is now 51% higher than at the end of 2019 and rose by a further 5.9% over the past year. Existing-home prices can fall while the cost of building continues to rise, but the gap cannot keep widening indefinitely. Once established housing becomes materially cheaper than delivering new supply, projects stop stacking up and buyers are redirected towards existing homes. The latest Cotality Home Value Index shows national house values fell by 0.8% in July and by 2.0% over the three months to July. Despite this, they remain 5.7% higher than a year ago. Regional markets like ours are still outperforming the capitals on an annual basis however. Sydney house prices are down -3.4%, while regional NSW is in positive territory, up 4.1% over the year. This is a market with very little activity rather than one being driven by widespread distressed selling. One of the clearest features we are seeing is the growing gap between properties that sell well and those that don’t sell at all. Increasingly, that gap comes down to the agent you’ve chosen. The small decisions, the conversations and the judgement of your agent throughout a campaign are adding up to very different outcomes for sellers. If you’re considering your property options, be it buy or sell, nest or invest; get in touch with us for a no obligation chat. Working with Ray White offers the unique advantage of combining a fiercely local, community-focused approach with the vast resources and prestige of Australasia’s largest real estate network. Matthew Kidd Principal, Ray White Bensville/Empire Bay WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR MARKET?
Are you curious to know the new value of your property in today’s market? At Ray White Bensville & Empire Bay we design marketing packages which are completely tailored to your specific needs and goals. Request a free market review and wte’ll provide you with an area profile, recent sales and listing activity and more. Simply scan the QR code, enter your details and we will contact you to arrange a detailed property appraisal. Matthew Kidd | 0417 230 732 HOW MUCH IS MY PROPERTY WORTH?
RECENT SALES IN YOUR AREA 13 Kallaroo Road, Bensville 3 Hillcrest Road, Empire Bay 30 Kallaroo Road, Bensville 2/43 Ocean Street, North Avoca 18 Newell Road, MacMasters Beach 24 Newell Road, MacMasters Beach 34 Rosella Road, Empire Bay 2 Portside Close, Bensville SOLD SOLD $885,000 SOLD $956,000 SOLD $4,000,000 SOLD $1,425,000 SOLD $1,450,000 SOLD $1,055,999 SOLD $1,585,000 4 1 1 4 1 2 4 1 1 3 2 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 5 3 2
FAST FACTS BENSVILLE Compared to five years ago, the median sales price for houses in Bensville has increased 8.6% which equates to a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. 7 HOUSES SOLD LAST QUARTER 53 HOUSES AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET SALES HOUSES $1,400,000 $1,585,000 $956,000 MEDIAN HIGHEST LOWEST $1.1M 20 $1.2M 30 $1.3M 40 $1.0M 10 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 MEDIAN HOUSE SALE PRICE NUMBER SOLD LEASE MEDIAN HOUSE RENT PER WEEK 3 BED $850 Source: Cotality RP Data 10 June - 10 September 2026
FAST FACTS EMPIRE BAY Compared to five years ago, the median sales price for houses in Empire Bay has increased 29.1% which equates to a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. SALES $1.1M 25 $1.2M 35 $1.3M 45 $1.0M 15 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 MEDIAN HOUSE SALE PRICE NUMBER SOLD LEASE Source: Cotality RP Data 10 June - 10 September 2026 7 HOUSES SOLD LAST QUARTER 65 HOUSES AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET HOUSES $1,065,000 $1,725,000 $885,000 MEDIAN HIGHEST LOWEST MEDIAN HOUSE RENT PER WEEK 4 BED $890
THE POWER OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME First Impressions Begin at the Front Gate When buyers arrive, they decide how they feel about a property within moments. A neat, welcoming entrance sets the tone for the entire inspection. Freshly mown lawns, trimmed hedges, clean pathways and inviting lighting instantly signal that a home has been well cared for. These small touches create emotional comfort before buyers even step inside. Create a Sense of Space and Calm Once through the door, buyers want to feel flow and ease. Declutter each room so that surfaces are clear, furniture is well spaced and natural light can shine. A simple layout helps buyers imagine how they would live in the home. A fresh clean scent, open windows and crisp styling make rooms feel larger and more appealing. Aim to create spaces that feel calm, bright and effortless. Why First Impressions Matter Most Buyers rarely change their first judgement. If they begin the inspection feeling positive and comfortable, they are more likely to notice the strengths of the home and to picture themselves living there. Strong first impressions create a sense of value, which can translate into more interest and stronger offers. Ready to Present Your Home Beautifully My team and I will guide you through every step of preparing your home for market, from simple styling tips to strategic presentation advice. Reach out any time if you would like tailored guidance or an expert opinion on how to make your property shine from the moment buyers arrive. THE POWER OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME
YOUR RAY WHITE TEAM Ray White Bensville Shop 5, 32 - 34 Kallaroo Road, Bensville NSW 2251 02 4369 2268 Ray White Empire Bay 2B Kendall Road, Empire Bay NSW 2257 02 4369 6618 raywhitebensvilleempirebay.com.au We are a highly experienced team with a proven record of success Carley Eder RENTALS PRINCIPAL | 0432 945 578 carley.eder@raywhite.com Amee Pigram PROPERTY MANAGER | 0402 419 882 amee.pigram@raywhite.com Quinta Jamieson PROPERTY MANAGER | 0411 624 887 quinta.jamieson@raywhite.com Suzanne Kidd ADMINISTRATION | 0418 970 882 suzanne.kidd@raywhite.com Ben Kidd SALES ASSOCIATE | 0422 855 118 ben.kidd@raywhite.com Lucy Jaggard SALES ADMIN | 0433 000 540 sales.bensville@raywhite.com Tiffany Mooney SALES | 0406 398 432 tiffany.mooney@raywhite.com Ben Bedford SALES | 0433 778 000 ben.bedford@raywhite.com Matthew Kidd SELLING PRINCIPAL | 0417 230 732 matthew.kidd@raywhite.com
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