First-home buyers locked out of 169 affordable Queensland suburbs

First-home buyers Maddi Smillie and Kingston Rapaea bought with a 5% deposit in 2025 First-home buyers have been locked out of 169 historically cheap property markets across Queensland since the Federal Government unshackled its 5 per cent deposit scheme a year ago. Sweeping changes introduced in October 2025 triggered a rush of 20,125 buyers using taxpayer-backed loans, driving up values in 852 of 890 house and unit markets. An analysis of Realestate.com.au data shows 91 Greater Brisbane and coastal suburbs and 78 regional hubs that sat at or below the scheme’s caps have breached those limits. Deagon houses jumped 31.2 per cent to $1.187m In the capital, where homes priced under $1m were eligible for 95 per cent loans, Deagon houses jumped 31.2 per cent to $1.187m, while Bulimba apartments and townhouses surged 20 per cent to $1.2m. Across Brisbane’s outer-ring, typical houses in Woody Point, Rochedale South, and Warner surged past $1.13m, while Thagoona jumped 58.2 per cent to $1.375m. On the Gold Coast, family hubs like Upper Coomera ($1.12m) and Ormeau ($1.13m) also broke the price cap. In regional Queensland, 10 Cairns markets and 14 Townsville markets smashed through the lowe...