Find the top real estate agents in Cairns

Cairns sits between a clear tropical lifestyle edge and a practical regional centre. Cairns City is the central business hub, while inner suburbs such as Edge Hill and Whitfield show an established, character-filled house stock that attracts downsizers and professional couples. Coastal pockets like Palm Cove and Trinity Beach carry an anchor lifestyle pull for sea-changers and retirees. Median prices have been running hot, up 16.8% on the year to $730,000, the highest level in five years, though the pace may not be sustained. The median is 0.1% above the prior peak set in August 2026.

Recent shifts are shaping who turns up at opens. Mount Peter is now a substantial master-planned growth corridor supplying family-sized lots and new homes, and ongoing upgrades to the airport and foreshore are reinforcing short-stay and tourism demand across the coast. Homes are selling in a median of 33 days, slower than a year ago, the slowest pace in two years. Auctions are clearing at 25% over the past year.⁽¹⁾ There have been fewer sales than a year ago, down 15.1% on the year, the lowest transaction count in five years.

Real estate agents in Cairns often emphasise local knowledge and experience and a focused understanding of the local market. This is a fragmented market, with the top 3 agents handling just 9% of sales over the past year. Their median sale of $733,000 is broadly in line with the area median of $730,000. Their listings sold in a median of 26 days, 7 days faster than the area's typical 33 days, converting 72.5% of their listings into a successful sale, 12.2 percentage points ahead of the area's 60.3%.

The average commission rate is 2.60% (around $19,000 on a median-priced home). Rates can vary between agents, and they often increase to reflect longer campaign periods and broader marketing reach. When selecting an agent, look beyond the commission rate. Compare their specific track record in your local area, their recent sales volume, and their experience with properties similar to yours. Receive a personalised shortlist of top agents in your local area from our agent comparison tool to sell more confidently.