The surprising housing markets tipped for further growth this year.
City life, country life or somewhere in between?
When it comes to the housing market, it pays to do your research.
Two locations have emerged as the front runners for real estate capital growth prospects this year, according to Hotspotting's Price Predictor Index report for Autumn 2025.
The real estate analysis company's research indicated these markets gained a lead due to surging sales volumes and rising demand.
Hotspotting Director Terry Ryder said overall the report reinforced a growing theme.
"The best opportunities for growth aren't always in the largest or loudest markets," he said.
Click through to find out which locations are on the rise for property value growth.
Decline in the market: Greater Perth
Perth's property market remains under pressure, according to Hotspotting general manager Tim Graham.
"As of the December quarter, 57 per cent of Perth suburbs are exhibiting negative trends, with another 17 per cent showing no clear pattern," Graham said.
"Only 26 per cent of suburbs are recording positive sales activity."
According to the report, house markets showing growth include Como, Dianella, Morley, Piara Waters, and Wellard.
This is alongside unit markets in Cannington, Leederville, Maylands, Wembley, Yokine, and West Perth.
Declining suburbs include Aveley, Balga, Butler, Cooloongup, Ellenbrook, Mount Lawley, Palmyra, Port Kennedy, Rockingham and Waikiki.
Rockingham hosts several declining markets including Baldivis, Port Kennedy, Rockingham, and Waikiki.
Steady market: Regional Western Australia
Regional WA's housing market has maintained a stable performance over the past 18 months, despite a decline in sales activity during the December quarter.
"Bunbury's market has been declining steadily over the past year, with most suburbs classified as plateau or declining, including former boom leader Withers," Hotspotting director Terry Ryder said.
"Geraldton has also experienced a drop-off in sales activity over the past six months, with only three suburbs showing rising transaction levels compared to five declining or plateau markets."
Bucking the trend, sales activity continues to rise in Karratha, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Albany, Broome and Busselton.
Steady market: Regional Tasmania
Regional Tasmania's property market has shown steady consistency over the past year.
According to the report, transaction levels in the December quarter exceeded those of the September quarter and surpassed figures from a year earlier.
"The market remains stable overall, but lacks any significant momentum, with 40 per cent of suburbs holding positive rankings and 45 per cent classified as negative," Graham said.
Rising markets in this area include Launceston, Kings Meadows, Newstead, Prospect and Ravenswood.
Steady market: Regional Victoria
Ryder said regional Victoria's real estate market has seen "remarkable improvement", with negative rankings dropping from 50 per cent in the September quarter to 32 per cent in December.
"Sales activity has steadily increased over the past nine months, culminating in a 100 per cent rise in the December quarter," he said.
"Ballarat, in particular, has experienced consistent growth over the past year, with six suburbs now classified as rising markets, signaling its recovery after a two-year decline.
"Bendigo also stands out, recording quarter-on-quarter growth throughout 2024.
"Its December quarter sales were 19 per cent higher than the previous quarter and an impressive 45 per cent higher than December 2023 levels."
Steady market: Regional NSW
Regional NSW is rebounding from a trough in March 2023, with with consistent transaction increases quarter-on-quarter.
According to the report, there is strong sales momentum in Ballina, Byron, Eurobodalla, Gunnedah, Lake Macquarie, Mid-Coast, Mid-Western, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga.
Steady market: Brisbane
The Brisbane market remains strong with overall sales activity showing significant growth despite a small dip in the December quarter.
"Sales volumes across Greater Brisbane have trended upwards over the past 12 months, with December quarter figures 13 per cent higher than the previous year and 30 per cent higher than two years ago," Ryder said.
"More than half of Brisbane suburbs now hold positive rankings, with 38 per cent categorised as negative and nine per cent showing no clear trend."
Rising: Greater Sydney
Homebuyers and investors continue to see strong results in Sydney.
Graham said 53 per cent of locations have been classified positively, while Maroubra and Wolli Creek were standout performers.
"Sales activity has consistently grown over the past year, with a notable boost in the latest quarter, although overall levels remain below the peak observed during the COVID-19 boom," he said.
Rising: Regional Queensland
Regional Queensland is also experiencing surging sales activity.
"Sales activity has consistently grown over the past year, with a notable boost in the latest quarter, although overall levels remain below the peak observed during the COVID-19 boom," Ryder said.
Key growth hotspots include the Gold Coast, where 64 per cent of markets are classified as rising, and the Sunshine Coast, with 56 per cent ranked positively.
According to the report, regional Queensland towns such as Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Townsville, Cairns, and Whitsunday are also experiencing rising transaction levels.
Rising: Adelaide
Sales volumes in Adelaide have risen steadily quarter by quarter over the past year.
More than half of the city's markets are classified as rising, with only five suburbs listed as declining.
Leading local government areas include Marion, Charles Sturt, Mitcham, Onkaparinga, Port Adelaide , Enfield, Tea Tree Gully and Salisbury.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
View more galleries
Most viewed in Australia
Unpopular policies could be what’s needed to stop ‘blunt’ rate rises
Dan Anstey to co-host Weekend Today, join Today team as weather presenter
Warning months left for inflation battle ahead of forecast rates rise
A $130 million change was meant to hit your supermarket shelves. Then the government backflipped
