Find the top real estate agents in Otways

The Otways is a mix of coast and forest rather than a single seaside town. Its defining landscape is the forested hinterland meeting the Great Ocean Road, which draws a mix of buyers: established beachside seekers in Lorne, sea change families and remote workers in places such as Forrest and Deans Marsh, and retirees who use properties as holiday bases. Building stock ranges from older timber cottages and artist-led renovations to contemporary coastal houses, so sellers often need to pitch to lifestyle buyers rather than a generic coastal audience. Median prices have seen a sharp pull-back, down 15.7% on the year to $995,000, with the market finding a new level, and the median remains comfortably below the cycle high of November 2022.

Apollo Bay functions as the region's main service town and food scene anchor, while quieter villages such as Wye River and Separation Creek have a limited supply of holiday houses. Recent shifts matter for sellers as more properties move from seasonal ownership to year-round occupation, and planning attention is focused on coastal resilience, road maintenance and rules for short-term rentals. These changes are reordering demand by making permanence and durability selling points in exposed pockets, so matching marketing to local buyer priorities is important. Homes are selling in a median of 92 days, faster than a year ago. There have been fewer sales than a year ago, down 11.9% on the year, and auctions are clearing at 18% over the past year.⁽¹⁾

Real estate agents in the Otways often emphasise local knowledge and experience and a focused understanding of the local market. The top 3 local agents handled 25% of sales over the past year. Their median sale of $1,450,000 sits 45.7% above the broader area median of $995,000, which could suggest they specialise at the premium end of the market, worth bearing in mind if your home sits closer to the area median, converting 42.5% of their listings into a successful sale, 9.3 percentage points ahead of the area's 33.2%.

Agent fees across the region can vary because campaigns often require broader marketing reach and longer campaign periods. 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.