property
Central Coast House Prices Pull Ahead of Units as Buyers Shift Focus
Detached homes across beachside pockets have outpaced unit values by a widening margin this year, altering entry costs for families and investors alike.
How we reported this
Detached houses on the Central Coast posted a 7.4 per cent median rise in the year to June, reaching $915,000, while unit prices climbed only 2.1 per cent to $685,000, according to CoreLogic figures released this week.
The split matters now because national construction starts fell 11 per cent in the March quarter and the federal housing accord faces fresh delays, leaving fewer new apartments on the pipeline and pushing buyers toward existing stock in established coastal streets.
Renewal zones versus beachfront streets
Buyers chasing lower entry prices have turned to the Gosford city renewal precinct along Mann Street, where two-bedroom units in buildings completed after 2022 now list between $620,000 and $680,000. In contrast, three-bedroom houses on Ocean View Drive in Terrigal have cleared at $1.35 million to $1.55 million since March, supported by direct access to Terrigal Beach and the new fast-rail timetable that cuts Sydney commutes to 55 minutes.
Central Coast Council’s Avoca Beach streetscape upgrade, finished in late 2025, has lifted nearby house values along Avoca Drive while unit blocks two streets back have seen only modest interest from downsizers.
Entry costs and next steps for buyers
NSW Housing data shows the statewide median dwelling price sits at $820,000, yet Central Coast units remain 16 per cent below that benchmark, giving first-home buyers using the state’s stamp-duty concessions a clearer path into Avoca Beach and Wamberal unit complexes built before 2018.
Local agents report that purchasers who secure a unit now under $700,000 in Gosford’s northern renewal corridor can expect to trade up to a house in the same suburb within four years once equity builds, provided they monitor the next quarterly sales results due in October.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.