The Moonah housing market is humming. Picture: Eddie Safarik
Property price growth has been slow and steady in Hobart, but is this about to change?
The regions primed for the highest property price growth of 2026 have been revealed, with new analysis anointing Brisbane, Hobart and regional Tasmania as Australia’s top three growth leaders for the year.
The Finance Better and Hotspotting report looked at the country’s 14 major market jurisdictions — eight capital cities and six state regional markets — to determine where home values would increase the most.
The report used the key metrics of sales volumes, vacancy rates, days on market, rental growth, infrastructure spending and how many properties sold above asking price to determine growth leaders.
Hotspotting founder Terry Ryder said the value of the Growth Leaders 2026 report was it identified future trends and did not rely on the past for guidance.
“The jurisdictions ranked second and third have not featured among the outperformers in the recent past — Hobart and regional Tasmania,” Mr Ryder said.
“But both are poised to be among the growth leaders in 2026.”
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Hotspotting founder Terry Ryder.
Hobart rates as one of the nation’s leading markets of the past 20 years and, after a pause following its most recent growth spurt, is now on the cusp of another up cycle, the report said.
“Hobart ranks first or second on three of the six key metrics (sales activity, above asking price sales and vacancy rates) and is weak on only one of them — infrastructure investment per capita,” Mr Ryder said.
“Its appeal includes having the cheapest real estate among capital cities in Australia, except for Darwin.”
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Of the 52 Hobart markets in the analysis, all but one had 30 per cent or more properties sold for above the asking price; and 88 per cent had vacancy rates below 1.5 per cent.
Three Tassie suburbs were named in the report’s National Top 10 Suburbs for 2026 growth: Launceston’s Noorwood, alongside Hobart’s Moonah and Claremont. Rising buyer demand and relative affordability were common traits among the three areas.
FOR SALE: No.104 Branscombe Rd, Claremont is listed at $649,000-plus with 4one4. Picture: realestate.com.au
SOLD: Fall Real Estate sold No.116 Albert Rd, Moonah for $586,500. Picture: realestate.com.au
Fall Real Estate agent Justin Atkinson said stock is low in Moonah and Claremont, with only a few listings coming to market each week.
“If that continues, combined with the ongoing drive from mainland investors, I believe we will see continued growth through 2026,” he said.
“Day to day, I’m seeing well-presented homes with realistic quoting that are drawing strong inquiries, and, in many cases, selling at or above expectations.
“Buyers are still discerning, but they are decisive when the home is move-in ready or rent-ready, and the value is clear.
“Days on the market are also feeling like it is getting less and less.”
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Fall Real Estate agent Justin Atkinson. Picture: Supplied
4one4 Property Co sales agent Aaron Murray described Moonah and Claremont as “healthy” markets where homes that are priced right can sell for “well above asking”.
He said inquiry levels had definitely lifted, especially for properties below $750,000.
“Phones are ringing, and open homes are back to being crazy,” he said.
“The potential for price growth is underpinned by confidence and supply.
“If rates settle with no more increases, and we can actually build more homes without jumping through hoops, that’s when things really take off,” he said.
“Right now, it’s not steady, it’s wild.
“First home buyers trying to get a foot in with the change of the grants, locals upgrading, and investors sniffing around again because rents are strong.
“You also have a fair share of mums and dads trying to purchase properties for their children to help them get in the door.
“Not to mention the amount of interstate buyer agents inquiry is through the roof.”
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4one4 Property Co sales consultant Aaron Murray. Picture: Supplied
Mr Atkinson noted that even when there appears to be plenty of homes on the market, a large share is already under offer.
He said with the First Home MyHome equity scheme in place, those contracts can take longer to move from accepted offer to unconditional.
“Properties can sit online longer and create the illusion of a higher available supply than buyers can actually purchase at that point in time,” he said.
Finance Better founder Louis Velasquez said the analysis by Hotspotting, showed there was broad strength in markets across Australia.
“All 14 jurisdictions have demand drivers that will put upward pressure on dwelling values in 2026,” he said.
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