“Despite the most unaffordable conditions on record in many cities, along with a rebound in cost of living pressures and the prospect of a rate hike… [eventualised 4 Feb], we are still seeing a broad-based rise in housing values.
The ongoing capital gains reflect persistently low inventory in the face of above-average housing demand, however we are likely to see demand-side pressures gradually ease in 2026.”
– Research Director Tim Lawless of Cotality, 2 Feb 2026.
Nationally, stock is still lower than last year and the five-year average for this time of year. Yet “the rolling quarterly number of home sales was estimated to be 2.7% higher than a year ago and only 1.8% below the five-year average.”
Unsurprisingly, entry-level houses showed the most growth in January.
“This is where first home buyers, investors and, progressively, mainstream demand is most concentrated.”
*Cotality’s February Home Value Index report
LOCALLY
Locally, January’s new listings were comparable to last year for the Newcastle LGA and significantly higher in Lake Macquarie (317 new listings, up from 275 last January and higher than in previous years). Maitland’s listings were down compared with last January.
Active listings are considerably down across all four local LGAs (including Port Stephens), reflecting the ongoing stock constraints seen in 2025.
Sold listings were down, but days on market are still lower than in previous Januarys, supporting the market resilience reported nationally. Note: January is typically the month with the highest days on market thanks to the holiday hiatus (except for Port Stephens where median days on market peak in February).
*Local data sourced from REA’s Market Insight Report.
Lochinvar made REA’s Top 10 list for house price growth in regional NSW, with an eye-watering 28% growth over the 12 months to January. Lochinvar, part of the Maitland LGA and west of Maitland’s city centre, has a median sale price of $874,000.
🎉 Celebrating 25 Years in Business 🎉
25 Years in Business (and 33 years since Peter started in Newcastle real estate)
20 Years of Marriage—husband-and-wife team, Peter & Amanda. 🤍
15 years since Amanda came onboard as COO.
10 years since our rebrand to Green St Property.
6 years since our multi-talented Office & Accounts Manager, Kathy Mooney, joined the team.
Newcastle West Project: Adam Leacy of Leacy Group, Josh Smith of Smith Property, our CEO Peter Aloupis, and Kaine Tarlington of Buildcert & President of the Housing Industry Association.
Left: Watch out for another Mr.Sister Coffee spot opening soon! Peter with Dennis Chandra.
Right: Newcastle Herald rep Lin Stratten has been taking care of Peter for 25 years.
Left: After leasing for two years through Green St, Nadia is now officially a first-home buyer! Congratulations! 🍾 Pictured here with Sash from Client Services.
Right: Our brilliant commercial tenants from Stella Hand Car Wash in Merewether.