After several years of uncertainty, recovery and adjustment, Lismore’s property market is entering the new year with a sense of momentum many locals haven’t felt in some time. Confidence has been rebuilding steadily through the back end of 2025, with strong inquiry, rising competition and renewed belief in the city as a place to live, invest and put down roots.

If there’s one phrase that sums up Lismore’s real estate market in 2025, it’s “a rollercoaster”, and one that finished with renewed confidence and momentum.

According to Raine & Horne Lismore Principal Brett McDonald, the first half of the year was defined by hesitation rather than a lack of need.

“What a rollercoaster,” Brett said. “The first half of this year, it was almost as if buyers were terrified to make a commitment to buying themselves a home.”

He said uncertainty around interest rates and the rising cost of living left many buyers sitting on their hands, even though they still needed to move.

“They already needed a house. They just were afraid to commit to it,” he said.

That all shifted once interest rates eased mid-year. Almost overnight, confidence returned, and so did buyers.

“The second half of the year, we were run off our feet,” Brett said. “That’s pent-up pressure from six or eight months where people weren’t buying, but needed to. As soon as that changed in winter, they all hit the market at the same time.”

The result was intense competition, with first-home buyers, upsizers, downsizers and investors all active at once. While there’s still steady interest from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Brett said the majority of buyers remain local.

“Most of our buyers are already Northern Rivers people doing a move locally,” he said. “But it’s nice we’ve still got people coming in from the major cities too.”

Those newcomers aren’t chasing one specific type of home either.

“It’s diverse,” Brett said. “Some will buy a flood-affected home, others want something up on the hill with four bedrooms, a big yard, or even a unit. There’s no one-size-fits-all.”

Looking ahead to early 2026, Brett said the year is shaping up positively, with plenty of stock about to hit the market.

“We’ve had a lot of properties come online over Christmas,” he said. “Even though the office shuts, we were still working and showing homes. The first few months of this year should be good.”

Longer-term, he says everything will continue to hinge on interest rates and buyer confidence.

Meanwhile, R Gordon & Son Principal Andrew Gordon believes Lismore has turned a significant corner.

“Twelve months ago we were still finding our feet,” Andrew said. “Lismore has been resettling, trying to determine its value in the scheme of things. People are now seeing there’s great value here.”

He said confidence has grown steadily, with inquiries increasing late in the year, particularly from coastal buyers priced out of their own markets.

“The last five or six weeks of 2025 felt like 2021 again,” he said. “It was vibrant. That tells me people have confidence, not just in property, but in Lismore as a place to live, work and invest.”

“You’re selling homes up to $2 million and homes between $400,000 and $500,000,” Andrew said. “The inquiry is there at every level.”

Looking to 2026, Andrew hopes increased land supply could ease pressure and improve affordability.

“If we could sell blocks of land under $300,000, wouldn’t that be fantastic?” he said. “There’s every chance that scenario could be real.”

As the new year begins, both agents agree on one thing: confidence is back, momentum is building, and Lismore’s property market is once again reflecting the resilience and optimism of the community itself.