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Melbourne is kicking off 2026 in pretty impressive shape when it comes to real estate – as good as it’s been since before the pandemic.
The city now has 11,771 real estate agents hard at work and over 2,900 agencies to choose from – making for a seriously competitive property market in Australia.
Over the past year, property values in Melbourne have gone up by 3.4% and the number of properties sold is up by a healthy 8.8%, thanks largely to top brands like Harcourts Rata & Co, Marshall White, Barry Plant, Ray White, Jellis Craig, Gary Peer & Associates, Area Specialist, & Eview Group.
Looking into 2026, the pace of sales is picking up fast. Melbourne house prices went up by 0.8% in September 2025, 1.0% across the quarter, and 1.9% year on year, according to the latest Cotality numbers.
Sellers are getting their properties off the market a bit quicker now – from 35 to 32 days – which shows just how much buyers are looking around right now.
But these gains are still running about 2.7% behind the 2022 peak, and it’s thought that there’s still a bit more growth to come as the market continues to recover.
Industry forecasts for 2026 are all looking pretty positive. Domain is tipping Melbourne’s median house price to get to about $1.17 million by the end of 2026, which is up by $87,000 and a brand new high.
The year is expected to unfold in two stages: an early-2026 growth spurt, which is being driven by first home buyers, low interest rates, rising wages, & low listing, and then in late-2026 it’s back to more steady but still pretty good growth.
Rental markets are going to remain very competitive, with house & unit rents both predicted to go up, and units expected to stay ahead of houses as people struggle to afford homes.
It’s not just Domain that’s feeling optimistic – Oxford Economics Australia is forecasting a 5.5% rise in Melbourne property prices by mid-2026, which would see medians lift from $1.04 million to about $1.157 million.
With vacancy rates around 1.5% Melbourne is still really undersupplied, and units are expected to outperform houses just because they’re more affordable.


Mirvac is one of Australia’s biggest developers, and in 2026, its masterplanned communities will continue to shape long-term residential and commercial growth across Melbourne.
The company is consistently recognized for delivering large-scale precincts that combine housing, retail, public spaces and long-term infrastructure planning.
In Melbourne, Mirvac developments contribute to housing supply in growth corridors like the southeast and inner west.
Mirvac’s strength is urban scale vision. Unlike smaller developers, Mirvac designs entire neighbourhoods around liveability and long-term value appreciation.
In 2024-2026, 79% of new home buyers in Melbourne rated masterplanned estates as more appealing than traditional subdivisions (Property Council of Australia). This puts Mirvac in a strong position as the company specializes in this model.
Mirvac has been nationally recognised for its Net Zero strategy, with over 7,000 homes delivered under high-efficiency design frameworks across Australia.
A 2025 sustainability report showed buyers are willing to pay 3-8% premium for homes in greener developments. Mirvac’s leadership in environmental design aligns with this trend.
One of Mirvac’s flagship projects in Victoria achieved:
These stats show why Mirvac is a top real estate company in Melbourne heading into 2026 – quality, sustainability and long-term planning excellence.

MAB Corporation has long been at the forefront of urban regeneration in Melbourne – its name synonymous with turning neglected spaces into vibrant new communities.
But while most developers focus on starting from scratch, MAB has always been the one to unlock the hidden potential of old industrial sites and under-used corridors.
This approach sets the company apart and allows it to come up with some pretty unique and innovative solutions for modern, mixed-use living that just wouldn’t be possible in other locations.
Of course, this isn’t just theory – in 2026 Melbourne’s demand for revamping existing areas is at an all-time high. A whopping 41% of homebuyers are out there looking for established suburbs with a bit of character (those Domain 2025 Numbers are telling a story here).
MAB’s game plan for regeneration is perfectly in sync with demand.
MAB is behind some of the most talked about projects in Melbourne’s recent history – the Docklands NewQuay precinct being a prime example.
So what can be said about NewQuay? Well, for starters:
All of which just goes to show that MAB can do more than just build buildings – it can create real destinations that actually change the way people live, work and socialize.
In the northern suburbs, MAB’s work in Merrifield has been particularly impressive, turning old industrial land into a buzzing commercial and residential hub. That kind of impact doesn’t come around often.
One of the reasons why MAB has been so successful is its long-term focus on making smart, data-driven decisions.
As everyone knows, studies have shown that redeveloped areas can boast 12% to 20% higher capital growth than outer suburbs. That’s what MAB is gunning for.
And to get the best possible results, the company targets sites that are close to things like:
This all just means that not only are buyers getting great value for money, but the long-term investment is also looking pretty sound.
When MAB gets it right, there’s a huge impact on the local community. After all, who wouldn’t want better walkability, more local businesses and new public spaces?
All in all, that’s why MAB is one of the top developers in Melbourne heading into 2026 – the company is genuinely making a difference where it matters most.

Spec Property has built a reputation in Melbourne for producing boutique residential projects that focus on design, walkability and inner city living.
Unlike big developers, Spec focuses on mid-scale, high-efficiency apartment buildings for young professionals, downsizers and investors who want strong rental demand.
This niche approach allows the company to optimise layouts, integrate premium architecture and make sure every project meets the lifestyle needs of inner city occupants.
In Melbourne’s apartment market, boutique buildings under 100 dwellings have shown 9% higher tenant retention and 6% stronger rental yield compared to big complexes (SQM Research 2025).
Spec Property sits within this high-performing segment.
Spec Property’s developments are located in inner city suburbs like South Melbourne, Richmond, Brunswick and Collingwood – areas that are consistently Melbourne’s highest demand rental pockets.
Their investor-focused design approach includes:
These features reduce vacancy rates and increase year-round demand.
In 2025, Melbourne’s inner urban rental market grew by 11% driven by returning international students and a growing professional workforce – both of which benefit Spec’s product style.
Spec Property is known for creating projects centred around practical luxury.
Buyers want both aesthetics and functionality, and Spec’s projects deliver.
A recent Spec Property project in Melbourne’s inner north recorded:
These results prove Spec’s boutique, investor-focused development strategy is a winner in Melbourne’s 2026 market.

Frasers Property Australia is one of Melbourne’s most trusted and well-connected developers – thanks to a strong parent company that brings real-world experience and a solid bottom line to every residential and mixed-use project.
With a global presence that’s hard to ignore, Frasers can bring world-class planning, innovative design, and financial muscle to any project.
That means they can deliver whole communities that have a long-term vision – something that’s essential in Melbourne right now, given its rapidly expanding population.
It’s no surprise then that Melbourne’s population growth in 2025 shot up to 2.7%, and with it came a huge demand for sustainable, high-density living options. And that’s exactly what Frasers is set up to deliver.
One thing that really sets Frasers apart is their commitment to making their Victorian projects as environmentally friendly as possible.
When it comes to sustainability, you can expect to see features like:
According to a national housing report from 2025, a whopping 68% of Australian home buyers now put sustainability top of mind when making a purchasing decision.
And that’s exactly what Frasers’ long history of green initiatives is all about – appealing to environmentally-conscious buyers and investors.
Frasers’ projects blend residential living with retail, business spaces, public areas and all sorts of lifestyle amenities. And it’s this integrated approach that makes life easier and reduces the need for crazy commutes.
Mixed-use communities have been shown to sell 10%–15% higher in Greater Melbourne because people love the convenience and lifestyle benefits they offer. And Frasers achieves this by building communities that include:
All of these features add up to create neighbourhoods that are not just liveable but also have long-term value.
One recent project in Victoria really stands out:
These results say it all: Frasers Property Australia is a company that’s all about building quality, sustainable, and future-focused developments that really make a difference in communities.

Woodards is one of Melbourne’s most established and community-driven real estate agencies, known for its focus on neighbourhood knowledge and suburb-level expertise.
Unlike big national groups, Woodards operates on a localized model, so each office specializes in the demographics, pricing trends and buyer behaviour of its area.
This local approach gives sellers and buyers a big advantage, especially in Melbourne’s diverse property market, where price variations between neighbouring suburbs can be 17% (CoreLogic 2025).
Woodards’ team structure ensures the information is current, tailored and relevant to each micro-market.
Real estate in Melbourne is all about suburb-specific knowledge.
Woodard’s unique point of difference is its focus on understanding the lifestyle, schools, population trends and streetscape of each suburb.
In 2025, agencies with a strong local presence achieved 8% higher auction clearance rates than broad-scale competitors.
Woodards is prominent in high-demand inner and middle-ring areas such as:
These suburbs have seen annual growth of 4.5% to 9.2%, driven by families, downsizers and young professionals looking for established suburbs with transport, amenities and schools.
Woodards has been in these corridor suburbs for years, so we’re the trusted choice for both sellers and investors.
A recent Woodards campaign in Melbourne’s inner north had:
These results show how Woodards’s suburb-level knowledge, personalized campaign planning and strong local buyer networks deliver above-market results in 2026.

Colliers Australia is one of the most powerful real estate advisory firms in Melbourne with a global network of over 60 countries.
This global footprint gives Melbourne clients access to more investment opportunities, global buyers and market intelligence.
In 2025 Colliers managed over $27 billion in transactions across Australia, across both commercial and residential sectors.
For Melbourne investors this means better marketing, deeper buyer reach and better negotiation.
Colliers’ strength lies in combining global research with local execution.
This approach delivers better pricing strategies, property positioning and investment level decision making.
In 2024-2026 properties marketed through globally connected agencies in Melbourne recorded 5-11% higher buyer engagement due to international exposure and investor demand.
Industrial assets—one of Colliers’ strongest sectors—saw 12.8% annual rental growth in Melbourne’s west in 2025, the highest in the country.
Colliers advised on multiple major industrial pre-leases and investment sales.
A recent Colliers led commercial transaction in Melbourne’s inner ring achieved:
This outcome shows Colliers can deliver premium results even in tough market conditions—so we’re the top real estate company in Melbourne for 2026.

Jellis Craig is one of Melbourne’s most respected prestige-focused real estate agencies, specializing in high-demand inner-city and eastern suburbs.
The brand has built trust with premium buyers and sellers, especially in areas of strong capital growth and tightly held family homes.
In 2025, Melbourne’s prestige suburbs recorded 6.8% annual growth, 2% above the broader metro market (CoreLogic Prestige Index).
Jellis Craig is the top performer for 2026.
Jellis Craig’s core footprint includes suburbs such as Hawthorn, Kew, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Richmond, Brighton and South Yarra – areas of high competition and strong buyer demand.
Their unique strengths in these areas include:
Prestige suburbs rely on brand reputation, and Jellis Craig is one of the top agencies for trust, service quality and negotiation.
A key to Jellis Craig’s success is their premium marketing approach.
The agency invests heavily in branding, photography, video storytelling, suburb-specific messaging and database-driven buyer matching.
These factors lead to better price outcomes.
A Jellis Craig campaign in Melbourne’s inner east recently achieved:
Results like this demonstrate Jellis Craig’s local knowledge, premium market expertise and refined execution – they’re the top real estate company for 2026.

Barry Plants Real Estate is one of Melbourne’s biggest – and most impressive – suburban agency networks, with a presence that stretches from the city’s north to its south-east.
With a massive footprint, the agency can cater to a diverse range of property types – from family homes to investment units, townhouses and new estates – to suit a broad demographic.
This scale gives the agency a massive competitive advantage, especially in Melbourne’s suburban corridors where population growth is rapidly increasing – a whopping 2.7% in 2025, according to Victoria Housing Data.
Barry Plant’s reach means it can tap into this increasing buyer and tenant activity more effectively than smaller, boutique agencies.
The key to the agency’s success lies in its unique blend of strong suburb coverage and high-volume transaction experience.
A larger buyer database means it can cross-match buyers from multiple suburbs, often resulting in faster turnaround times and more competitive offers.
In 2025, agencies with larger cross-suburb databases saw an average of 21% more buyer inquiries (Real Estate Institute of Victoria) – and Barry Plant is no exception to this trend.
Barry Plant’s presence in suburbs such as Craigieburn, Deer Park, Glen Waverley, Dandenong and Narre Warren gives it a huge amount of influence in Melbourne’s high-turnover family corridors.
These areas are seeing some of the fastest price growth in Melbourne – up to 5%–8% per year – driven by affordability, school zoning and increasing migrant demand.
With its familiarity with these markets, Barry Plant is well-placed to develop accurate pricing strategies and targeted campaigns.
A recent sale by Barry Plant in Melbourne’s west was a real success story:
These kinds of results are exactly why Barry Plant is one of Melbourne’s leading real estate companies – and why we’re so well-placed to lead the way in 2026.

Sector Property has carved out a solid reputation in Melbourne’s boutique development scene by focusing exclusively on townhouses, low-rise apartments and smaller residential projects.
While bigger developers are trying to muscle in, Sector Property takes a different approach – delivering thoughtfully designed, small-footprint homes that really speak to first-home buyers, young families and investors looking for a solid return on their investment.
It’s a strategy that’s starting to pay off, especially considering that 24.8% of new homes built in Melbourne last year were townhouses – a clear indicator that there’s a massive appetite for hassle-free living that’s just as stylish as a full-sized home, but without the price tag.
Sector Property’s business model is perfectly aligned with this growing trend.
This is a company that really knows its stuff when it comes to spotting growth suburbs where property prices are on the rise due to affordability, infrastructure upgrades and population growth.
When selecting new projects, they look for areas with:
Melbourne’s north and west regions – where Sector Property is really focusing – saw 5.4% price growth in 2025, according to the Domain Suburb Report.
These suburbs are really attracting a mix of investors and young buyers who are after modern properties at a price point they can afford.
Sector Property is all about packing the most living space into every townhouse through clever, adaptable layouts that are super easy to live with.
All of these features add real value and make their properties super competitive in a rental market where vacancy rates plummeted to just 1.1% in 2025.
When Sector Property recently released a new townhouse project, it achieved:
It’s clear from this performance that Sector Property has got a winning formula for creating successful boutique townhouse projects – and their investors are benefiting as a result.

Soda Property Group has made a name for itself by concentrating on medium-sized residential projects where design quality, clever material selection, and a deep understanding of what matters to people when it comes to living take centre stage.
What really sets them apart, though, is the way they strongly focus on slender, modern facades, open interior layouts, and putting together a sense of place in the city – features that are wildly attractive to people who care about style and want to make a real home.
Did you know that in Melbourne’s boutique development sector, projects that were led by architects achieved 6% more buyer interest and 4.2% stronger capital growth back in 2025 (Property Insights Report).
By directly tapping into this growing trend for low-density living that prioritizes design, Soda Property Group is riding the wave of change.
Soda’s developments are all about preparing homes that feel like a true home – with comfort, a sense of space and a dash of practicality, especially in Melbourne’s inner and middle suburban belt.
What sets their designs apart? Well for starters:
All of these features make the homes they build perfect for owner-occupiers who need somewhere to put down roots, and for investors who know that a happy tenant is a key to making a profit.
And, let’s be real – in 2025, Melbourne tenants made it clear what they were looking for in a rental property. Layout works and modern design were right at the top of their priority list (REIV Tenant Survey).
And guess what? Soda’s got those boxes well and truly ticked.
Soda Property Group usually builds in suburbs that already have a fantastic lifestyle on offer – with easy access to public transport, shopping, schools and all the rest of it.
This means there’s always going to be solid demand for their properties and strong long-term value.
Think back to 2025 – inner and middle-ring townhouse projects in Melbourne were popping upwards by a whopping 5.7% every year, thanks to their excellent locations, the quality of life they offered and how well they were designed.
With their focus on small-scale projects that are all about the details, Soda Property Group is well placed to capitalize on this type of growth.
On top of which, a recent Soda Property Group development has shown a healthy appetite for their developments, with:
It’s a great example of what happens when thoughtful design, spot-on suburb selection and clever layouts all come together – making Soda Property Group one of Melbourne’s standout boutique developers in 2026.
A top real estate company stands out because it knocks the ball out of the park in terms of sales, knows the area like the back of its hand, and consistently delivers premium results for clients.
Companies that are really doing well usually understand what makes buyers tick, know which suburbs are on the up, and use all the latest marketing tricks like high-quality visuals and targeted online ads to really grab people’s attention.
Their negotiation skills are top-notch, they’ve dealt with every type of property imaginable, and they’re super active in the community – which all helps them outperform the competition.
Generally speaking, top companies are ranked on their sales numbers, how many auctions they clear at, and how they perform over the long term in all sorts of market conditions.
Their reputation, how happy their clients are, and how experienced their team is also all factors.
It’s pretty simple, really – if you can consistently deliver great results, grow your business, and adapt to changing market trends, you’re likely to stay in the top tier for a long time.
Yes – a lot of the best-performing agencies have a specialization, whether it’s luxury homes, family properties, development sites, or inner-city apartments.
Having a focus like this allows them to build stronger relationships with buyers, get better at marketing, and secure better prices in the niche that they’re concentrating on.
It also means they have a deep understanding of that particular market, which helps them deliver way more targeted and efficient results for clients.
Top agencies add value on both sides of the fence, but when it comes to selling, they really bring their A-game – from superior marketing and agent expertise to wider exposure to qualified buyers.
On the buying side, experienced agents give buyers way more clarity on the market, property values, and upcoming opportunities.
Overall, these companies just make the whole process a lot smoother by offering strong communication, professional negotiation, and good old-fashioned support.
Investors choose the best agencies because they provide super detailed insights into rental demand, growth areas, and long-term investment opportunities.
Top companies usually deliver better tenant screening, stronger rental marketing, and portfolio management.
They also help investors understand how different suburbs are performing, give them a better handle on potential yields, and make strategic decisions on their behalf, which reduces risk and increases returns in the long run.

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Read MoreStar Investment Group Australia was founded in 2019 with offices in Victoria. We focus on offering specialised property investment opportunities instruments that can generate investors regular returns.
The information provided is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. All statements made on this website are made in good faith and we believe them to be accurate and reliable however do not guarantee its currency. You should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.
Please note that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product made reference to directly or indirectly on our website, blogs , newsletters.
Star Investment Group Australia was founded in 2019 with offices in Victoria. We focus on offering specialised property investment opportunities instruments that can generate investors regular returns.
The information provided on this website including blogs is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. All statements made on this website are made in good faith and we believe them to be accurate and reliable however do not guarantee its currency. You should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.