Sydney values edged higher through October while rental conditions stayed tight. CoreLogic’s Home Value Index rose +0.7% m/m to 31 Oct (Sydney median value $1.256m), corroborated by PropTrack’s +0.6% m/m reading. The citywide vacancy rate sat at 1.3% in September, and median house rents held at $780 pw in the September quarter (units $750 pw). [CoreLogic Oct-2025; PropTrack Oct-2025; SQM Sep-2025; Domain Sep-Q 2025.] Domain+3Cotality+3Real Estate Australia+3
- Location: Greater Sydney
- Period: Prices to 31 Oct 2025; vacancy & rents to Sep 2025
- Audience: Buyers • Investors • Renters
Key Stats
| Metric | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home values m/m | +0.7% | Oct 2025 | CoreLogic/Cotality HVI (released Nov 3, 2025) Cotality |
| Cross-check (m/m) | +0.6% | Oct 2025 | PropTrack HPI (updated Oct 31, first published Nov 3, 2025) Real Estate Australia |
| Vacancy rate | 1.3% | Sep 2025 | SQM Research Vacancy Rates (release Oct 14, 2025) SQM Research |
| Median rent (house) | $780 pw | Sep qtr 2025 | Domain Rental Report (published Oct 8–9, 2025) Domain+1 |
| Median rent (unit) | $750 pw | Sep qtr 2025 | Domain Rental Report (published Oct 8–9, 2025) Domain |
| RBA cash rate | 3.60% (unchanged) | 4 Nov 2025 | RBA Decision No. 2025-31; Reuters recap Reserve Bank of Australia+1 |
What changed and why
- Spring momentum returned. October saw the fastest national growth in 2+ years; Sydney rose 0.7% as demand continued to outstrip supply and the city sat at a new peak. Lower-to-mid price points led gains. [CoreLogic Oct-2025.] Cotality
- Listings rose, but were absorbed. October new listings jumped into spring (Sydney up ~17% m/m), yet selling conditions stayed seller-leaning. [SQM Listings Oct-2025.] SQM Research
- Rates on hold. On 4 Nov, the RBA kept the cash rate at 3.60%, noting inflation is likely to remain above target into 2026; this steadied borrowing power month-to-month. [RBA; Reuters.] Reserve Bank of Australia+1
- Rents paused for houses, record for units. House medians held at $780 pw while unit medians reached $750 pw, reflecting tight vacancy and relative value in apartments. [Domain Sep-Q 2025.] Domain
For buyers / investors / renters
- Buyers: More choice than winter thanks to spring listings, but competition remains strongest sub-$1.5m and in family-home pockets. Consider units where prices lag houses but rents are firm. [CoreLogic; Domain; SQM.] Cotality+2Domain+2
- Investors: 1.3% vacancy supports leasing. Yields may compress as values outpace rents; stress-test for rate-reset risk even with the cash rate on hold. [SQM; CoreLogic; RBA.] SQM Research+2Cotality+2
- Renters: Budget around $780 pw (houses) or $750 pw (units); apply quickly and widen search radius to improve options. [Domain.] Domain
Risks & caveats
- Affordability ceilings: Rapid value gains alongside high medians can cap borrowing capacity despite stable rates. [CoreLogic; Reuters.] Cotality+1
- Data windows differ: Price indices (CoreLogic vs PropTrack) use different methodologies and cut-offs; rent medians (Domain) are quarterly and may lag weekly asking-rent shifts. Cross-checks help triangulate trend. Cotality+2Real Estate Australia+2
Sources
- CoreLogic / Cotality — Monthly Home Value Index, results to 31 Oct 2025 (released Nov 3, 2025). Cotality
- PropTrack / REA Group — Home Price Index — October 2025 (updated Oct 31; first published Nov 3, 2025). Real Estate Australia
- SQM Research — National Vacancy Rates — September 2025 (media release Oct 14, 2025). SQM Research
- Domain — Rental Report — September Quarter 2025 (site updated Oct 2025); ABC coverage Oct 8–9, 2025. Domain+1
- Reserve Bank of Australia — Statement by the Monetary Policy Board (Nov 4, 2025); Reuters wrap (Nov 4, 2025). Reserve Bank of Australia+1