NAMBUCCA Valley’s property values have surged by 72.7 percent since the start of the pandemic, and local agents say the rise reflects both long-term cycles and the region’s growing appeal for families and retirees.
McGrath Nambucca Valley principal Troy Pinder said the trajectory fits the region’s classic pattern of steady, reliable increases.
“It’s the old seven-year cycle,” he said.
“Every seven years, depending on the location, you generally see house prices increasing.
“But since COVID, like everywhere, we saw a significant rise and then a slight correction.
“Now we’re falling back into what we call a normal rate of index value growth.”
Pinder said the Nambucca region’s natural beauty continues to draw buyer interest.
“The valley is such a desirable location,” he said.
“You’ve got the pavilion, the golf course, and it’s where two rivers meet the sea.
“The coastal side of the highway is attractive for retirees or young families who may not be able to afford to buy in Coffs or Port Macquarie. And it’s well-serviced.”
He said Scotts Head remained the premium pocket.
“It has higher price points,” Pinder said.
“But in the last 12 months there have only been around 16 transactions there.”
By contrast, activity in the main centres has been steady.
“Of 100 sales in the valley, 60 percent would be in Nambucca and 30 percent in Macksville. Scotts Head makes up the other 10 percent,” Pinder said.
Market stabilises after pandemic boom
Like Coffs Harbour, the Nambucca region saw sharp price growth in late 2021 and early 2022 before experiencing a correction.
Sawtell Real Estate agent Matt France said the North Coast experienced a clear pattern.
“2015 was a big growth year,” he said.
“Then late 2021 through early 2022 was huge when we saw a 30-35 per cent rise in values.”
The slowdown that followed, driven largely by tougher lending conditions, has now reversed.
“Whatever shortfall we had in the last two years has definitely been recovered over the last three months,” France said.
“The market is powering along to finish the year.”
He expects momentum to return quickly after the festive break.
“I think everything will ramp back up from mid-January,” he said.
“There will be strength at that time, but any talk of a February interest-rate rise might put a pull on certain things.”
Low stock, high demand and the under-$1m surge
The sub-$1 million market across the North Coast continues to dominate buyer activity, fuelled by tight supply and rising competition.
Chris Hines, managing director of Unrealestate in Coffs Harbour, said the pattern was regionwide.
“Anything under a million is very, very busy,” he said.
“There’s low stock and high demand.
“If we get a property between $750,000 and $900,000, there are multiple offers coming in.”
Hines said the entire coastal corridor has undergone a price identity shift.
“Years ago, there weren’t many million-dollar listings in Coffs,” he said.
“Now it seems to be the vast majority.”
Who is buying in the region?
Pinder said the buyer mix reflects both affordability and lifestyle demand.
“It’s a mix of people from the Coffs region and those relocating from pockets of Sydney, the Central Coast and the Tablelands,” he said.
During the pandemic surge, many out-of-towners moved early on retirement plans or relocated for lifestyle reasons.
France said that movement has since levelled into a broader demographic spread.
“Back then, it was a mass migration of people out of cities,” he said.
“Now it’s fairly split between locals, people from the Tablelands, and those moving from Sydney and Canberra.”
Further north along the coast, Jensen Realty director Mark Jensen has seen another strong buyer trend: Melbourne families relocating for a better coastal lifestyle.
“They’ve been the number one buyer, followed by Sydney and Brisbane,” he said.
Future movers and premium pockets
While Scotts Head commands the valley’s strongest price points, Pinder said Nambucca Heads and Macksville continue to deliver most of the region’s activity and value.
France said nearby areas like Toormina show how buyers increasingly look for well-serviced suburbs with room to grow.
“There’s undervalued property there,” he said.
“You’re close to the shopping centre, the airport, a few minutes to the beach and 10 minutes to town.
“Prices have jumped, but there’s still room to move.”
Outlook for 2026: Firm but interest-rate dependent
All three agents expect the local market to remain stable next year, with performance largely shaped by interest-rate decisions.
“If rates pause, it’ll squeeze the market a little, but overall the outlook is positive,” Pinder said.
“We live in a beautiful part of the world, services are strong, and who wouldn’t want to live here?”
Hines said supply and demand would continue driving momentum, while France expects early-year strength before any interest-rate decisions influence the market.
By Matt TAYLOR
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