Australia’s most searched real estate terms 2025: Pools and garages

1 month ago 38

The ideal address in Australia is a single-level residence with a pool, outdoor area, balcony and garage.

Swimming pools have topped Australia’s most-wanted property features for 2025, with house hunters prioritising relaxed outdoor living and entertaining at home.

The ideal address around the country is a single-level residence with a pool, outdoor area, balcony and garage.

55 Canopus St, Coorparoo in Brisbane has a resort-style pool.

Prop Track senior economist Eleanor Creagh.

16 Jamieson Street, Bulimba.

It also must have an ensuite, built in robes, a dishwasher and heating, according to the most-searched terms on realestate.com.au in 2025.

REA Group senior economist Eleanor Creagh said the search terms remained largely unchanged compared to 2024.

“Lifestyle remains the primary driver in search behaviour,” Ms Creagh said.

“Swimming pools, garages and airconditioning all top the list of our most searched features nation wide and it really underscores the enduring popularity of lifestyle and liveability for home seekers.”

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This Gold Coast house at 235 Morala Ave, Runaway Bay offers poolside entertaining.

7 Kaypee Street, Tarragindi.

Over the past year, the biggest increase in searches has been for terms specifically relating to single storey and dual income.

“It reflects affordability pressures and shows property seeks are maybe looking at ways to get another rental income or cohabit with family to reduce mortgage pressure,” Ms Creagh said.

“It’s potentially a signal that affordability challenges are shaking buyer behaviours which isn’t surprising considering affordability is at very low levels despite improving slightly with this year’s interest rate cuts.”

3 Nandina Court, Leanyer, sold for $750,000.

505/187 Kent Street, Sydney recently sold for $880,000.

For a buyer looking for a unit, the top search term was balcony, followed by airconditioning and garage.

“This speaks to the fact that buyers want liveability, practicality and lifestyle,” Ms Creagh said.

Katrina Keegan and Penelope Nicholls of Coastal. Picture: Tertius Pickard

2375/23 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise recently sold for $1.29m.

Real estate agent Katrina Keegan, of Coastal, sells apartments on the Gold Coast and said it was no surprise to see a balcony as the top item on a buyer’s wishlist.

“There is a surge in people moving from houses to apartments and if you’re going from having a backyard, you want a balcony,” Ms Keegan said.

“Investors won’t look at a balcony, but this speaks to the fact more owners-occupiers are moving into apartments.

“A balcony provides that fresh air flow, and is an entertaining space and secondary dining area.”

65 Agincourt Street, Grange sold for $4m.

Other search terms that increased in popularity over the year included dual occupancy (up 31 per cent) and dual living (up 29 per cent).

Buyers agent Lauren Jones, of Lauren Jones Buyers Agency, said she had noticed an up-tick in buyers searching for a home that offered dual living.

“People are looking for that secondary income and we are starting to have more multi-generational homes,” she said.

“I’ve got a new client at the moment who also wants their children on the property title.”

Brisbane buyers’ agent Lauren Jones

Ms Jones said wanting for a property with a pool would mean searching at a certain price point.

“With the increased cost of construction buyers might prefer to have a swimming pool at the property already as opposed to putting one in — a pool can be $100,000 these days,” she said.

“If it’s a luxury property yes, a pool is a non negotiable, but for the cheaper properties it doesn’t add value.

“If you’re a first homebuyer or a single person you don’t want to be maintaining a pool but if you’re a family looking in that higher price point you want the entertainment for the kids.”