Stability provides a sense of predictability, and the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to maintain the cash rate since late 2023 has provided buyers with a clear and consistent path forward. This has bolstered confidence and stimulated activity across most sectors of the market.

Families in pursuit of larger homes and first-time buyers taking advantage of government grant schemes have been particularly active, capitalising on the more favourable conditions.

This heightened activity has contributed to a notable upswing in demand, demonstrating the underlying strength of the Maroondah real estate market.

While housing supply has remained fairly consistent, there persists a noticeable shortage of quality properties across the municipality. This scarcity has led to an interesting imbalance in sale prices, with premium homes in each bracket attracting intense competition, often selling well above market expectations.

Properties situated within sought-after school catchment zones and in close proximity to essential amenities, such as shopping centres, transport hubs and healthcare facilities, continue to outperform, attracting discerning buyers seeking convenience and quality of life.

Demand also remains strong for lifestyle properties providing privacy and space on the outer fringes of our region. Families from across Melbourne continue to upsize to these properties, drawn by their value-for-money relative to land size and lifestyle offerings.

Uncertainty in the construction industry, coupled with escalating building costs, continues to fuel demand for fully renovated homes. This presents excellent opportunities for first-time buyers or investors looking to purchase older properties in prime locations with the intention of holding onto them until building costs stabilise.