2025 has been a strong year for sellers, with property prices reaching new peaks in many markets and falling interest rates driving strong buyer competition. 

Domain's latest Profit and Loss Report looked at all properties that resold in the first half of this year and found that the percentage of profit-making house sales hit a two-decade high.

Find out just how much sellers are pocketing around Australia and which areas are netting the biggest gains.

Profit-making sales are at the highest point since 2005

Given the favourable selling conditions we've seen around the country for much of this year, it's little surprise that vendors are coming out on top. 

The latest Cotality data shows that the national median home price has risen +3.1 per cent over the past seven months. Zooming out to five-year growth, that figure blows up to a massive +45.2 per cent. 

Domain's report points out that "Australians are staying in their homes longer, giving more time for price growth and helping to shield against short-term volatility."

Looking to the headline figures, 97 per cent of houses sold so far in 2025 made a profit — "levels not seen since 2005."

For units, which have broadly seen slower growth than houses, that profit figure is still at 88 per cent, the highest rate since 2022. 

The typical Australian house owner is now staying put for nine years compared to six in 2010. For unit owners, it's risen from six to eight years over the same timeframe. 

That's giving owners more time to build equity, see an increase in their property's value, and ultimately make a more substantial profit when selling.

Breaking profitability down by state

Of course, not every market has seen the same level of price growth in recent years, and some have netted larger profits than others in 2025. 

Looking at houses first, two of the biggest success stories since the pandemic have seen profitability rates above 99 per cent. 

Brisbane and Perth house sellers have almost always come out with a positive result this year, with Sydney and Adelaide close behind. 

In fact, Darwin has been the only capital city to see a profitability rate of below 90 per cent. 

Putting things into dollar terms, the country's most expensive market, Sydney, saw resellers taking the biggest share of profit at just over $700,000, though every city saw a median gain well into six figures. 

Turning to units, the results were slightly more mixed. 

Unit sellers in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide — Australia's three most rapidly growing markets — led the way with profit rates above 97 per cent. 

Sydney, Canberra and Hobart all sat in the high 80s, while a majority of Melbourne and Darwin unit sellers still sold for a profit but had a higher risk of making a nominal loss. 

Regional markets, while closely matching profitability rates with houses, were more likely to see a positive outcome for units.

The areas leading the way for seller profit

Zooming in further to the local level, Domain identified a handful of clear winners across the country's five largest states. 

Looking at house sales in the capital cities first, the median profit for some suburbs in 2025 has been in the millions. 

Premium Sydney locations like the Eastern Suburbs and Manly saw typical sellers netting more than $2 million from a resale. 

Six-figure gains were also netted by those in Melbourne areas of Boroondara and Stonnington, Cottesloe/Claremont in Perth, and Inner Brisbane.

Regional Australia, which has experienced historic levels of price growth since the onset of the pandemic, also had plenty of standout winners. 

Domain noted that lifestyle locations attracting "high-income buyers seeking holiday homes, sea changers moving from the city, and downsizers preparing for retirement" were the most likely to deliver.

What's up ahead for Australian sellers? 

It's been a good news year for many vendors around the country, with prices rising at a strong and steady pace, interest rates being cut three times so far, and buyers coming out in force with increased borrowing power and confidence. 

"With momentum returning and owners sitting on substantial equity, profit-making sales are likely to remain dominant through 2025," the Domain report summarised. 

Stock on the market has remained low throughout the winter — Cotality data shows that, nationally, new listings are tracking -19 per cent lower than the five-year average.

A significant number of would-be sellers have clearly been holding out, and with the spring selling season just around the corner, we may see a flurry of activity on both the buying and selling sides as temperatures rise. 

"We’re already seeing momentum build in house prices thanks to multiple rate cuts. The big question is whether spring’s seasonal surge will add fuel to the fire," Domain's Dr Nicola Powell said.

"Spring 2025 is more than just another seasonal lift, it’s a critical test of whether the housing market’s strongest seasonal patterns will combine with policy tailwinds to reshape momentum heading into the new year."

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.