Brisbane is well-placed to be the strongest capital city property market in 2014 after trailing growth in Sydney and Melbourne last year, analysts claim.

 

Raine & Horne Queensland general manager Steve Worrad said activity in Brisbane is already up 25% in some areas compared with the same time last year.

 

 “It's on the basis of tight supply and growing demand that we expect property values in Brisbane to grow by 7%, and more in some cases, during 2014.”

 

Demand for Brisbane property is being driven by investors, and empty-nesters shifting from interstate, Worrad said.

“Property prices in the southern capitals enjoyed a robust 2013, with the median house price in Sydney, for example, between $665,000 and $712,000 depending on who you listen to, while the median house price in Brisbane is an affordable $445,000.

 

“This gives Sydney retirees, especially, scope to sell a family home tax-free, and make a lifestyle shift to Brisbane and add the difference to their retirement savings.”

 

The price differential between Brisbane and the southern capitals is also set to prove an attraction to fly-in fly-out workers.

“Whether they're working the mines in Western Australia or on an investment banking desk in Sydney, Brisbane's lifestyle and affordable property prices will attract more fly-in fly-out workers in 2014,” said Worrad.