Partner & Licensed Estate Agent
“Sellers will be rewarded for careful preparation, strategic timing, and meticulous presentation.”
—Rebecca Edwards
Boroondara’s property market is demonstrating renewed confidence and steady momentum. After a cautious start to the year and broader economic headwinds, buyer engagement has remained robust throughout the tail end of 2025. Listing volumes have increased, auctions are drawing stronger competition, and clearance rates strengthened in recent months, signalling the early stages of a new growth cycle.
Rebecca Edwards, Partner and Licensed Estate Agent at Kay & Burton, notes that buyers are acting with greater confidence, particularly when presented with high-quality homes.
“Downsizers continue to shape the market, seeking refined single-level residences in Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kew, and surrounding suburbs, priced from $2 million to $5 million,” she said. “These properties are often located within easy reach of vibrant village precincts. They are certainly scarce and many buyers remain in their family homes while awaiting the ideal offering.”
Ms Edwards observes that as downsizers exit family homes, opportunities are emerging for young families seeking the Boroondara lifestyle. “Family residences updated within the past decade remain the most sought-after property type,” she says. CBRE Australia confirms a 42 per cent increase in demand for “move-in-ready” properties, which continue to achieve stronger pricing and faster turnover.
Boroondara’s established amenities and high-quality schooling provide a resilient and defensive buyer base, while the combination of leafy streets, boutique cafés, artisanal retailers, and a thriving local dining scene continues to enhance the area’s lifestyle appeal, making it a destination in its own right.
Domain data confirms Melbourne’s leafiest suburbs are reaping the benefits. Mont Albert and Canterbury were the only suburbs with a median house price above $2 million in Melbourne to record double-digit house price growth in the 12 months to September 2025. Mont Albert’s median rose 16.5 per cent to $2,387,500, while Canterbury jumped 15.6 per cent to $3,388,000.
Ms Edwards adds there is a clear preference for homes that offer both lifestyle convenience and long-term investment value, with buyers increasingly prioritising proximity to community hubs, schools, and transport links.
Broader indicators, including rate cuts and improved borrowing conditions, have encouraged buyers to act, while rental tightness and population growth continue to underpin market strength.
Looking to 2026, Ms Edwards anticipates measured growth, constrained by ongoing affordability considerations.
“Sellers will be rewarded for careful preparation, strategic timing, and meticulous presentation, particularly for family homes near top schools and local precincts,” she says. “Overpricing or under-preparing can hinder results, whereas early planning positions sellers to achieve optimal outcomes.”
For discerning buyers and investors alike, Boroondara’s balance of stability, quality and lifestyle remains compelling. With its blend of character homes, excellent schools and vibrant village energy, it continues to stand among Melbourne’s most desirable addresses—a market defined by confidence, community and long-term capital growth.
