Elizabeth Tilley, Property Journalist
First published 24 Oct 2026, 6:00am
Ten Queensland property hotspots have been tipped to buck the housing downturn, with real estate heavyweight John McGrath revealing where he believes buyers could make serious money in 2027.
From affordable Brisbane suburbs to overlooked regional towns, the property guru has identified the locations he expects to outperform as Australia’s housing market experiences one of its sharpest corrections in decades.
This five-bedroom house at 15 Anzac Ave, Sandgate, is on the market for offers over $2.399m.
The McGrath Report 2027 names Beenleigh, Caboolture, Jindalee, Sandgate and Palm Beach among southeast Queensland’s standout prospects, alongside five regional locations.
It comes as Mr McGrath warns property values in major Australian cities have fallen by as much as 10 to 15 per cent since February, with some markets down 20 per cent.
“This is my eighth market correction since I entered the industry more than 40 years ago, and it feels like the fastest fall in values I can remember,” Mr McGrath said.
But he believes the downturn is creating opportunities for buyers prepared to look beyond traditional property hotspots.
McGrath Estate Agents director John McGrath.
Beenleigh, between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, was identified as a major affordability play, benefiting from transport connections and buyers priced out of neighbouring suburbs.
“Beenleigh is well placed for growth as buyers continue to seek affordable alternatives within the rapidly expanding corridor between Brisbane and the Gold Coast,” Mr McGrath said.
“Significant transport connectivity, including rail and motorway access, underpins its appeal, along with ongoing investment in nearby employment hubs.
“The suburb also benefits from value-driven migration as neighbouring markets become less attainable.”
This three-bedroom house at 28 Viewbank Court, Beenleigh, is on the market for $900,000.
Property analyst and Hotspotting founder, Terry Ryder, also sees Beenleigh as having further growth potential, and sees it being “massively impacted” by more than $10 billion in transport infrastructure projects.
Caboolture was another standout, with Mr McGrath describing it as “one of South East Queensland’s strongest value plays”, supported by major infrastructure investment and the planned Caboolture West growth area.
“Caboolture is emerging as one of South East Queensland’s strongest value plays,
supported by a pipeline of infrastructure that is reshaping the city’s northern growth
This four-bedroom house at 4 Herd St, Caboolture, is for sale for offers from $849,000.
Lauren Jones Buyers Agency’s Jessy Clifton said Caboolture no longer had the stigma that was once attached to the suburb.
Ms Clifton said that as affordability pressures continued pushing Brisbane buyers further north, more owner occupiers were actively inspecting areas they may have previously dismissed — including Caboolture.
“Buyers are becoming much more educated — likely due to the affordability and housing crisis working hand in hand to raise the stakes of buying strategically,” she said.
“They’re asking questions about specific streets, specific estates and specific pockets rather than writing off entire suburbs based on a reputation that may be years or even decades outdated.”
This four-bedroom house at 15 Mukine St, Jindalee, is on the market for $1.4m
In Brisbane’s west, the McGrath Report identified the often forgotten suburb of Jindalee as being tipped to benefit from demand for established family homes near quality schools, while planned Centenary Motorway upgrades could further strengthen its appeal.
Sandgate was highlighted for its bayside lifestyle and urban renewal, offering buyers an alternative to more expensive coastal suburbs.
“The Sandgate Centre Suburban Renewal Precinct is unlocking new housing and investment while its proximity to high-performing schools, established rail links and the rising appeal of Brisbane’s northern bayside corridor positions it as a value alternative to pricier coastal neighbours,” Mc McGrath said.
On the Gold Coast, Palm Beach was expected to continue attracting investment as its transformation into a premium beachfront destination gathered pace.
This three-bedroom unit at 28/2 Seventeenth Ave, Palm Beach, is for sale for offers over $2m.
This two-bedroom house at 96 Walker St, Maryborough, is for sale for offers from $575,000.
Toowoomba was also recognised for its growing population, infrastructure investment and lifestyle appeal, while Maryborough was identified as an affordable alternative to increasingly expensive Fraser Coast markets.
On the Sunshine Coast, Nambour was tipped to benefit from buyers priced out of coastal hotspots, supported by an $86 million hospital redevelopment and renewed CBD investment.
A two-bedroom unit in this building at 11/304-308 Lake Street, Cairns North, is on the market for offers over $699,000.
Further north, Charters Towers was identified as an emerging opportunity, backed by $28 million in council infrastructure investment and improvements to water security.
Cairns North rounded out the list, with the $1 billion Cairns Hospital expansion expected to support employment and housing demand.
Despite the broader downturn, McGrath remains optimistic about the market’s longer-term prospects.
He said Australian property markets had historically gained an average of 32 per cent in the three years following previous corrections.
“The cycle is turning, and I’m optimistic about what comes next,” he said.
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