Perth has emerged as the standout performer in the national Hot 100 suburbs to watch list, with multiple locations named among Australia’s most promising property markets for 2026. Driven by relative affordability, major infrastructure investment and persistent supply-and-demand imbalances, several Perth pockets are now outperforming long-established east coast hotspots. From newly connected rail suburbs to lifestyle-driven coastal markets, this list reveals why Perth continues to attract buyers and investors alike – and which suburbs could be just getting started.

Interest rates may have been far higher in 1990, but Australian households are now carrying almost three times as much debt as they were back then, with housing debt making up the bulk of it. New ABS data shows today’s borrowers are far more exposed to even small rate movements, raising a fascinating question: who really had it harder – homeowners during the 17% interest rate era, or today’s buyers navigating record debt levels and soaring property prices?

Calls to remove no-grounds terminations are gaining momentum again, but REIWA warns the timing – and the risk – deserve careful consideration. While WA’s rental market has stabilised somewhat over the past 18 months, supply remains tight and population growth continues to drive strong demand. This article looks at what has happened in other jurisdictions, including New Zealand and Victoria, where similar reforms coincided with investor exits, falling rental supply and worsening affordability for tenants. With WA still recovering from the loss of nearly 20,000 rental properties after the COVID moratoriums, the question posed is simple but serious: is this a risk worth taking?

As construction delays, labour shortages and rising build costs continue to put pressure on housing supply, a Perth-developed robot is offering a glimpse of what the future could look like. Hadrian X is a bricklaying robot capable of building a standard house structure in a matter of days rather than months. This article explores how automation like this could help address Australia’s housing shortage, what it means for build quality and costs, and why Perth is at the centre of this innovation. 

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Sales activity in Perth during the week ending 15 February was down 2.4% with 764 transactions recorded. On closer inspection, house sales fell by 7.9% while unit sales were stable compared to the week before. However, vacant land sales recorded a 40.3% increase. 

Perth’s highest sale price:  North Beach – $2,900,000

Perth's lowest sale price: Wembley – $450,000

Listings
There were 2,710 properties for sale in the metropolitan area for the week ending February 15, which is 11.7% higher than 4 weeks ago but 46.1% lower than the same time last year.

Top performing suburbs – sales

• Baldivis, Ellenbrook: 15
• Karrinyup, Perth: 11
• Canning Vale: 9

Top performing suburbs – rentals

• Perth: 26
• East Perth: 19
• Baldivis: 18
• Armadale: 15
• Maylands: 12

Perth rental market
REIWA members reported 1,936 properties for rent at the end of last week, which is 3.5% down on the previous week, 13.2% lower than 4 weeks ago and 5.8% lower than the same time last year. Leasing activity decreased 3.4% with REIWA members reporting 737 properties leased. This week's number of properties leased is 2.3% lower than 4 weeks ago but 1.2% higher than a year ago. 

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• Shelley on 0417 963 670
• Mark on 0411 552 309