Brisbane Property Boom: How To Use Equity To Build Wealth

Brisbane just joined the million-dollar club. If you’re a Brisbane homeowner, you could be sitting on more equity than you realise.

The latest Home Value Index from Cotality shows Brisbane’s house values have surged by 76% since 2020. In May 2025, the median house price officially passed the $1 million mark, reaching $1,006,000, and continued climbing to $1,011,000 in June, a first for the city.

What’s Happening in Brisbane’s Property Market?

Brisbane experienced one of the strongest growth stories in Australia over the past five years:

• House values are up 76.1% since 2020
• Median house price hit $1,011,000 in June 2025
• Brisbane overtook Melbourne and Canberra to become the second-most expensive capital city housing market, behind only Sydney.
• The population in Greater Brisbane has risen 9.2% since 2020, adding pressure to housing demand.

Much of the boom has been fuelled by interstate migration, with buyers from Sydney and Melbourne drawn to Brisbane’s affordability, climate, and lifestyle during and after the pandemic.

“Brisbane will be popular for immigration for decades,” Home Loan Experts Senior Mortgage Broker Jonathan Preston said. “Good climate and, like all of Australia, a stable government and currency. Long-term, I’m bullish on both Brisbane and Melbourne, but Brisbane has unique growth potential right now.”

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What Is Equity?

Equity is the difference between your home’s current market value and what you still owe on your home loan.

For example: If your home in Brisbane is worth $1,000,000 and your mortgage balance is $600,000, you’ve built up $400,000 in equity.

Not all of that is accessible, but many lenders will allow you to borrow until you owe 80% of your property’s value. This is called tapping into your equity.

Smart Ways to Use the Equity in Your Brisbane Home

Brisbane’s price boom has unlocked more than just property value; it could allow you to build wealth, improve your lifestyle, and reshape your finances. Here are four practical and proven strategies:

1. Renovate To Improve Home Value

A 2024 KPMG report revealed that 17% of all residential construction spending in Brisbane went toward renovations. The most value-adding upgrades? Kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor living spaces, especially as Brisbane’s lifestyle appeal remains a draw for interstate buyers.

Cotality stated that well-executed renovations can add 10–20% to your home’s market value. For example, a $40,000 kitchen upgrade in a $900,000 home could return up to $90,000 in added value when done strategically.

2. Consolidate High-Interest Debts

If you’re juggling credit cards, car loans, or personal debts, using equity to consolidate into your home loan could reduce interest and simplify your finances.

Credit card interest rates can exceed 18% p.a., while mortgage top-ups are usually around 6–7% p.a. That difference can save thousands in interest every year and help you get back on top of your repayments.

3. Invest In Another Property

With rising values and ongoing demand, many Brisbane homeowners are using equity to invest in growing corridors like Ipswich, Logan, and Redcliffe.

You could use your equity as a deposit on an investment property and avoid needing to dip into savings. For example, $100,000 in released equity could fund a 20% deposit plus costs on a $500,000 investment property.

4. Fund Strategic Personal Goals

Equity can also help you meet life goals such as:

• Covering tuition or other education expenses
• Supporting family overseas or paying medical bills
• Starting a business or creating an emergency fund

Used carefully, it’s a flexible way to take financial control without draining your savings.

How To Release And Access Your Equity

Accessing your equity typically involves these steps:

1. Get A Property Valuation

Your broker or lender arranges a new valuation to confirm your home’s current market value.

2. Loan Assessment

Your income, debts, and Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) are reviewed to determine how much equity is accessible.

3. Refinance Or Top Up Your Loan

You may top up your current mortgage or refinance to a new lender, sometimes unlocking a better interest rate and features.

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Why It’s Smart to Explore Equity Now

While Brisbane’s housing values remain strong, there are signs the boom is slowing:

• Quarterly growth slowed from 3.5% in mid-2024 to just 1.9% this quarter
• Affordability pressures are starting to limit further demand
• Melbourne may soon catch up again in terms of pricing

Preston predicts, “Melbourne will later overtake Brisbane, mark my words. But the bull market will continue until the rate-cutting cycle ends, and that’s still 1–2 years away.”

Mortgage Broker Sheng Ye adds, “If the QLD government raises stamp duty or land tax to fund the Olympics’ infrastructure, it could affect investor appetite. So now might be the best time to act.”

Let’s Check What Your Equity Can Do For You

You’ve built up value in your home; we can help you access it. Our expert team can run the numbers and guide you through your next steps.

Call us on 1300 889 743 or enquire online today. It’s free and there’s no obligation.