Just about every Australian with a toe dipped into the real estate market wants to know where things are headed next, and predicting the future of property is a huge challenge. 

Every month, the country's top 50 property markets are assessed by independent valuer Herron Todd White to create their Property Clock in order to paint a picture of which locations are rising, peaking, cooling or bottoming out in the cycle. 

As 2026 approaches, how is your market tracking? Check out November's clock to find out what the new year could bring.

Markets on the rise

2025 has brought significant — and in some cases huge — growth to property markets all around Australia. As of November, home prices are the highest they've ever been. 

With strong demand meeting slim supply, three interest rate cuts over the year, and major changes to the Home Guarantee Scheme bringing a steady stream of first home buyers to the market, it's no surprise that the 'rising' side of HTW's Property Clock is heavily stacked. 

Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Darwin are the capitals sitting firmly in the 'rising market' section, suggesting the only way is up in the new year. 

They're joined by a range of major regional spots, with Queensland getting a particularly strong showing with the likes of the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton. 

In terms of markets deemed to be at the start of their recovery, Melbourne is a new entrant after a solid rebound in 2025, as are Canberra and Hobart, and NSW regional hubs the Central Coast, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour and Bathurst. 

Markets at or approaching their peak

Moving further towards the top of the clock, we see a number of regional hotspots. 

Queensland's Sunshine Coast, Whitsundays and Gladstone are all considered to be nearing the top of their runs of growth. 

Inland NSW spots Tamworth, Toowoomba and Dubbo, meanwhile, are classified as being at the top of their cycle, with little to no further gains expected. 

They're joined by Bundaberg in Queensland and South Australia's Mount Gambier. 

Markets declining or at the bottom

Given the strength of Australian property in 2025, it's perhaps least surprising to see that the 'declining' side of HTW's Property Clock is sparsely populated. 

Looking to markets deemed to be starting to decline, Alice Springs and Launceston feature, as does the unit market in Bathurst. 

The 'declining market' section is completely bare, leaving only NSW coastal spot Port Macquarie as the sole market that's approaching the bottom of its cycle.

A different perspective from Domain

Mid-way through the year, Domain recently released their Housing Market Forecast Financial Year 2026 report and included a property clock of their own. 

The graphic, which only looks at the six most populous capital cities, paints a slightly different picture than HTW's outlook. 

According to Domain, Melbourne capital is firmly in the 'accelerating price rises' region as rate cuts and improved affordability fuel a rebound for the city. 

Sydney and Brisbane are also considered to be on a solid upswing, with Canberra beginning a bounce-back of its own. 

Adelaide and Perth, the two runaway stars of Australian property in recent years, look to be experiencing a slowdown in growth according to Domain as affordability worsens, though both cities are still delivering very strong gains each month. 

Thinking of selling?

If you're looking to get in on the action in 2025, it's important to be as prepared as possible in order to cut through the competition and achieve a standout result. 

Step 1: Understanding how your market is performing

Every market is different, and understanding your local market is fundamental to making the right selling decisions. Our guide to tracking market trends and data will help you to get a clear picture of how your market is performing and how that impacts you as a seller. 

Step 2: Know what your property might be worth

Getting a free home value estimate is a great way to set a foundation for your selling expectations and begin planning the path forward.

Step 3: Get a no-obligation market appraisal from a top real estate agent

Understand what your property could sell for in the current market by speaking to the top-performing agents in your suburb. Comparing top agents in your area will help you find the perfect partner for your selling journey and move towards a successful result.

Step 4: Finally, get your property listing ready

Taking a thorough approach to preparing your home for sale is another critical step. From cleaning, decluttering, painting and performing other cosmetic renovations to home staging, photography and marketing, getting your property to sale-ready condition is a must.