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Prestige Residential Valuer Insights Q3 2026
Insights into Australia’s prestige residential property market, based on 34 responses from CBRE Valuers surveyed in late August 2026 across selected markets in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.
September 22, 2026 11 Minute Read
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Australia’s prestige residential market has shifted in favour of buyers, with softer demand, longer selling periods and greater price sensitivity shaping conditions across many markets.
Half of CBRE’s Prestige Residential Valuers described demand in their local markets as soft. Longer selling periods, more selective buyers and a wider gap between buyer and seller expectations are shaping conditions across many Australian prestige markets.
About the Report
CBRE’s Q3 2026 Prestige Residential Valuer Insights examines demand, buyer activity, property values and listing expectations across Australia. The findings draw on responses from 34 CBRE Valuers who specialise in high-end residential property, providing first-hand insight into prestige residential markets across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
What are the key findings for Australia's prestige residential market in Q3 2026?
The following findings summarise the Q3 2026 survey results across demand, pricing, supply and buyer activity.
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Half of CBRE Valuers reported soft prestige residential demand
Half of CBRE’s Valuers reported soft demand in their local prestige markets, up from 20% in Q1 2026 and 3% in Q3 2025. A further 38% reported moderate demand, down from 48% in Q1 2026 and 66% a year ago.
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Local purchasers and upgraders remained the most active buyers
Local purchasers were identified as active by 71% of Valuers, followed by upgraders at 65%, although activity from both groups has eased.
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Interstate and overseas purchaser activity declined
Interstate purchaser activity fell to 29% of Valuers, down from 48% at the start of 2026, while overseas purchasers continued to decline and were identified as the least active buyer group in Q3 2026.
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Demand for prestige houses varied by price point and location
Among Valuers who reported increased demand in their local prestige markets, 60% identified stronger demand for prestige houses, highlighting varied conditions across markets and property types.
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Most Valuers expect prestige house values to fall
68% of Valuers expect prestige house values in their local markets to fall over the next 12 months, with 47% expecting falls of up to 5%.
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Apartment and vacant land value expectations have softened
59% of Valuers expect apartment values to fall by up to 10%, while 46% expect vacant land values to fall by up to 5%.
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Prestige property listings are expected to increase
53% of Valuers expect prestige property listings to increase over the next 12 months, while the same share expects demand to remain stable.
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Future demand to stabilise
The highest share of CBRE’s Prestige Valuers (53%) still expect demand remain the same in the local prestige market over the next 12 months, although down from 72% at the start of 2026.
What is the state of Australia’s prestige residential market in Q3 2026?
Australia’s prestige residential market favoured buyers in Q3 2026. Half of CBRE’s surveyed Prestige Residential Valuers reported soft demand, while longer selling periods and greater price sensitivity affected several markets.
Demand was not uniform across Australia. South Australia and Western Australia recorded more resilient results, while conditions were weaker in New South Wales. Well-located, high-quality and scarce properties continued to attract buyer interest, but sellers generally faced a more selective buyer pool.
Which surveyed Australian markets recorded the strongest prestige residential demand in Q3 2026?
South Australia and Western Australia recorded the strongest surveyed prestige residential demand in Q3 2026. All surveyed South Australian Valuers reported moderate demand, while Western Australian responses were divided equally between soft, moderate and strong demand.
Queensland produced mixed results. Forty-five per cent of surveyed Queensland Valuers reported moderate demand, while 55% reported soft demand. Local commentary showed that demand continued for well-located and high-quality properties in the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane markets.
Who were the most active buyers in Australia’s prestige residential market in Q3 2026?
Local purchasers and upgraders were Australia’s most active prestige residential buyer groups in Q3 2026. Local purchasers were identified as active by 71% of surveyed Valuers, followed by upgraders at 65%.
Interstate purchaser activity fell to 29%, down from 48% in Q1 2026. Downsizers were identified as active by 24% of Valuers, while overseas purchasers were the least active group at 3%.
What is the outlook for Australian prestige residential property values?
The outlook for Australian prestige residential property values softened in Q3 2026. Sixty-eight per cent of surveyed Valuers expects prestige house values to decline over the next 12 months, including 47% expecting falls of up to 5%.
Apartment expectations also moved lower, with 59% of Valuers forecasting falls of up to 10%. For vacant land, 46% expects values to fall by up to 5%, while 38% expects values to remain stable.
South Australia was the main exception to the broader negative outlook. Most surveyed South Australian Valuers expected house, apartment and vacant land values to remain stable.
What is the outlook for prestige residential demand and property listings?
Most surveyed CBRE Valuers expect prestige residential demand to remain stable over the next 12 months, but a larger share expects listings to rise. Fifty-three per cent expects demand to remain unchanged, while another 53% expects prestige property supply to increase.
Victoria recorded the weakest future demand sentiment, with 57% of surveyed Victorian Valuers expecting a slight decrease. By comparison, stable demand was the leading expectation in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.
What are CBRE Valuers saying on the ground in Q3 2026?
North Sydney and Hornsby, NSW
“The market was initially impacted by the global economic uncertainty surrounding the ongoing tension between the USA and Iran, flowing on to persistent inflation figures and the potential for RBA rate hikes. Uncertainty has been compounded by the recently passed federal tax legislation.”
Sydney Eastern Suburbs, NSW
Inner Melbourne, VIC
“While some uncompromised prestige properties are achieving stable results, others with blemishes or older improvements or buildings without exacting standards are experiencing more price sensitivity from discerning buyers.”
Inner South Melbourne, VIC
Gold Coast, QLD
“Prestige buyers are increasingly focused on quality and scarcity. Downsizers are becoming a major force in the apartment market.”
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Adelaide Central and Hills, SA
“Strong demand and limited supply continue to support values across Adelaide’s western suburbs prestige market, particularly in sought-after coastal locations.”
West Adelaide, SA
South East Perth, WA
“Fewer buyers and longer selling periods are the most evident change in the market since late 2025 and early 2026. Feedback is largely consistent in terms of lower turnouts to open homes and less confident offers, with buyers looking to take advantage of the changed conditions.”
Inner Perth, WA
Canberra, ACT
“The prestige market appears to be in line with the wider Canberra market and has softened. Selling periods are extending and asking prices are reducing.”
Canberra, ACT
Recent Insights
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Market insights on the residential real estate landscape in Australia, drawing on 165 CBRE valuers surveyed in May 2026.
Valutions Contacts
Kat Hale
National Director, Residential Valuations, Australia
Tim Frazer
National Director, Valuations & Advisory Services - Residential QRM, Australia
Lic. 69528
Matt King
Head of Prestige, Residential Valuations, New South Wales
John Beresford
Head of Prestige, Residential Valuations, Victoria
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