Business · Economy · 4 hrs ago
Darwin homeowners sell as property prices rise
Homeowners and investors are putting more Darwin properties up for sale as prices rise after years of stagnation.
Darwin is the only Australian capital where house prices were rising in September, while house prices nationally were slipping.
The increase is modest: house prices rose 0.3 per cent and unit prices 0.8 per cent that month.
Limited supply and years of slow building have helped support prices, but there are fewer buyers and the market is showing signs of cooling.
Cotality says Darwin has the country's strongest property market, but warns sellers may have only a small window to secure a good price.
A possible November interest-rate rise could add pressure and bring Darwin into the broader national downturn.
The market may also get support from investment and workers linked to projects such as Beetaloo gas, though no firm forecast is given.
Darwin home owners and investors are listing properties as prices rise after more than a decade of stagnation.
Cotality says Darwin is the country’s strongest property market and the only capital city where house prices are rising.
The data company says limited supply and years of sluggish building activity are supporting prices, but fewer buyers point to a possible cooling.
Home owner Lisa-Joy Cron is considering selling, hoping to make at least $300,000 more than she paid for her Palmerston home.
An agent says listings have increased since January but remain historically low, while demand from interstate investors is easing.
- Who
- Darwin home owners and investors are listing properties, including home owner Lisa-Joy Cron.
- What
- They are selling as property prices rise, while analysts warn the market may cool.
- When
- Prices rose modestly in September; the article was published on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Darwin and greater Darwin, in Australia’s Northern Territory.
- Why
- Sellers are seeking to take advantage of rising prices. Limited supply and years of sluggish building activity are supporting the market.
Sellers seeking to cash in
Cotality warning of a possible market downturn
Market outlook
Sellers seeking to cash in
Some home owners are selling to take advantage of rising prices.
Cotality warning of a possible market downturn
Cotality says fewer buyers and possible interest rate rises could signal a cooling market.
Near-term expectations
Sellers seeking to cash in
Agent Kerri-Ann Laurence expects the market to keep rising, citing potential investment linked to projects including Beetaloo gas.
Cotality warning of a possible market downturn
Cotality’s Gerard Burg says Darwin could begin to experience the broader national downturn.
Lisa-Joy Cron bought her Palmerston home shortly before Darwin’s property market crashed.
Kerri-Ann Laurence has noticed an increase in property listings.
The total number of properties for sale was around 60 per cent below average, according to Gerard Burg.
Darwin house prices rose 0.3 per cent and unit prices rose 0.8 per cent for the month.
ABC Australia published its report on Darwin home owners selling as prices rise.
- Lisa-Joy Cron’s home purchase
- Palmerston, 2010
- Potential gain sought by Cron
- At least $300,000
- September price changes
- Houses: 0.3 per cent; units: 0.8 per cent
- Properties for sale
- Around 40 per cent below average, after being around 60 per cent below average at mid-January
- Rental cost increase
- About 11.6 per cent year on year, as of September
- Darwin vacancy rate
- About 1.9 per cent
What people are saying
strongest property market in the country
There is still some uncertainty around where property demand is heading in the coming months
I think right now is a good time to sell
historically, it's still quite low