New Place Advisory survey findings show strong buyer intent and an active upgrader market, despite rising household costs making Queenslanders more selective about their next move.
Place conducted two separate surveys involving 1,113 respondents in August 2026.
The first, across its investor database, found Federal Budget changes have significantly affected investor activity: 70 per cent of investors said they’re less likely to buy another property than they were two years ago, while 82 per cent said changes to property-investment settings had affected their plans.
The second survey, of Place’s active buyer database, found 59 per cent of respondents plan to buy, sell, or do both within the next 12 months.
Place Estate Agents Chief Executive Officer Damian Hackett said the survey showed strong buyer intent remained, particularly among owner-occupiers looking to make their next move.
“Brisbane and Queensland have come off five years of unprecedented market conditions for sellers. The market is now correcting, which was expected,” Mr Hackett said.
“People are still moving. Upgraders are still transacting. Buyers have more time to think and compare due to less investor competition, but they’re ready to act when the right home comes along.”
The strongest signal is from existing homeowners, where 40% plan to buy another home or buy and sell, pointing to an active upgrader market of families and homeowners looking for more space, a better location or their next home.
Cost-of-living was nominated by 44% of respondents as Queensland’s biggest challenge, compared with 8% who identified interest rates.
“This isn’t simply an interest-rate or property prices story. It’s an ongoing cost-of-living issue,” Mr Hackett said.
“Buyers are looking at repayments, stamp duty, insurance and moving costs alongside rent, groceries, childcare and every other household bill. They still want to move, but they need the next move to stack up financially.”
Mr Hackett said the data should give sellers confidence that active buyers remained in the market, while reinforcing the need for a realistic strategy.
“For sellers, the price or reserve needs to reflect current buyer feedback.”
“If fewer investors are competing for established homes, owner-occupiers and upgraders may have a better opportunity to buy.”
Mr Hackett said first-home buyers remained under the greatest pressure as rents and household costs continued to rise, but current conditions presented their best opportunity to enter the market in several years.
“Prices are softening, and first-home buyers are facing less competition from investors. That’s giving them a real opportunity to break free from the rental cycle, where rents have risen by more than 10% in some cases,” he said.
Place Advisory’s Bruce Goddard is calling for Queensland’s First Home Owner Grant threshold to be lifted from $750,000 to $850,000 and indexed to land and construction costs, allowing more first-home buyers to access the $30,000 grant when purchasing a new build, including houses, townhouses and apartments.
“It’s unrealistic with rising building costs for first home buyers to be able to secure a property in the greater Brisbane area for $750,000 or below.”
“Changing the threshold would give more Queenslanders a pathway into a new home, while supporting the new housing supply the state needs,” Mr Goddard said.