Supply Lockdown Deepens

New data shows Australian homeowners are holding onto properties for longer, tightening supply in some of the nation’s most established suburbs.

While the typical national holding period is 11.7 years for houses and 10.3 years for units, a select group of suburbs now has average ownership periods stretching close to or beyond 20 years.

Clarinda in Melbourne recorded the longest average hold time for houses at 23 years, followed by Mont Albert, Hurlstone Park, Bexley North and Greenfield Park. For units, Cremorne Point in Sydney led the nation at 18.3 years.

REA Group economist Luc Redman said these long-hold suburbs are often stable, middle-ring areas with high owner-occupier appeal, where families have settled and remained for decades.

The trend highlights a key national challenge: in tightly held suburbs, demand may remain strong while available supply stays limited.