Fernleigh NSW Property Investment
Ballina · 2479 · Score: 53/100 · Hold
Fernleigh Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
Fernleigh NSW Investment Brief
HOLD — 2.5% gross yield on a $2,106,333 median.
THE MARKET
Median house price in Fernleigh sits at $2,106,333 with 46 days on market and a 3.0% vacancy rate. This is a tenant-favourable market right now.
- Median house: $2,106,333 | Units: $610,234
- Gross yield: 2.5% | Net yield: 1.0%
- 5yr price CAGR: -14.3%/yr | 3yr forecast: 7.5%/yr
- Population: 298 | Owner-occupier rate: 72% | Affluence: Very High
- Supply pipeline: Moderate — Strong population growth likely attracting new development approvals
RENTAL SNAPSHOT
- Vacancy: 3.0% (stable) | Rental demand: Moderate
- Median weekly rent: $1,000/wk | Days on market: 46 (worsening)
- Tenant market — vacancy elevated, negotiate hard on rent.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
- Median nightly rate: $586/night | Occupancy: 40%
- Estimated annual STR gross: ~$85,556/yr
- vs long-term rent: $52,000/yr (+65% STR premium — factor in higher management costs)
INFRASTRUCTURE & CATALYSTS
- No major confirmed infrastructure projects on record.
- Transport: North Beach station 18.0km away
BULL CASE
If Fernleigh maintains 4%+ annual growth and vacancy stays below 2.1%, median prices could reach $2,422,283 within 3 years with yields compressing slightly as capital values rise.
BEAR CASE
A market correction or interest rate shock could see prices in Fernleigh pull back 10-15% from $2,106,333, with vacancy rising to 5.0% and rental yields softening as tenants gain leverage.
KEY RISKS
- Premium price point limits buyer pool and increases interest rate sensitivity
- - Distance from CBD may limit long-term capital growth potential
COMPARABLE MARKETS
- Campsie (NSW): $1,865,686 median, 2.3% yield, 1.5% 1yr growth
- Pinkett (NSW): $2,650,000 median, 0.8% yield, 0.0% 1yr growth
- Barrack Point (NSW): $1,711,063 median, 2.5% yield, 1.8% 1yr growth
THE PLAY
Fernleigh offers balanced fundamentals but does not present an urgent buying signal. The market is in a stable phase with moderate vacancy risk. Monitor vacancy trends and price movements over the next 6-12 months. Only enter if a property can be acquired at or below median pricing with yields exceeding 4.0%.
- Entry range: $1,895,700 – $2,316,966
- Minimum gross yield to target: 4.5%
- Watch signal: vacancy dropping below 2% and days on market falling below 35
This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
Gentrification Index
Growth Forecast
low confidenceBasis: 1yr growth 2.5% (heavily discounted — volatile)
- +Strong population growth (4.1%/yr) driving demand
- −High supply pipeline (1596 new approvals) — may cap price growth
Suburb Metric Thresholds
Macro Environment
Macro Indicators
Cash Rate
4.35%
▲ 0.25%Cash rate as at 2026-05-06 · Credit data 2026-04
Suburb Supply & Demand
Suburb Supply Pipeline — New Dwelling Approvals
433
2020
361
2021
270
2022
310
2023
222
2025
New dwelling approvals — higher numbers mean more future supply
Socio-Economic Profile
Source: ABS Census 2021SEIFA Index · Postcode 2479
Decile 9 of 10 — Low disadvantage
Population
5,780
Education (IEO)
9/10
Econ. Resources (IER)
9/10
10-Year Investment Projection
Modelled on Fernleigh NSW data — rent, capital growth, tax, and depreciation over 10 years.
Pre-filled: $1000/wk median rent for Fernleigh. Capital growth and rent increase are editable assumptions.
Schools
In your catchment
These are the government-school zones containing this suburb centroid. Specific addresses within the suburb may fall in different catchments — confirm with the school directly.
Nearby Suburbs
Analyse a Property in Fernleigh
Get instant STR rules, granny flat feasibility, rental yield, and full investment strategy comparison for any address in Fernleigh.
Analyse a Property →Data sourced from ABS, state government property sales, and Airbnb market analytics. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.