Fernleigh NSW Property Investment
Ballina · 2479 · Score: 65/100 · Buy
Fernleigh Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
Estimated revenue assumes year-round availability. Non-hosted short-stays are night-capped in some councils (e.g. 60 nights across most of Byron Shire, 180 in Ballina, Muswellbrook and parts of Greater Sydney) and levied in Victoria — the legal cap can cut achievable income well below this figure. Run STR Check for the rules on a specific address.
Fernleigh NSW Investment Brief
BUY — $1,882,003 median with 26.2%/yr growth over 5 years.
THE MARKET
Fernleigh has compounded at 26.2%/yr over 5 years — a house that cost $587,927 in 2021 is worth $1,882,003 today. Properties are sitting on market for 46 days (roughly balanced conditions). At the same growth rate, today's median reaches $6,024,446 by 2031.
- Median house: $1,882,003 | Units: $768,843
- Gross yield: 2.8% | Net yield: 1.3%
- 5yr price CAGR: 26.2%/yr | 3yr forecast: 5.8%/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 $2,164,303 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 $1,882,003, with vacancy rising to 5.0% and rental yields softening as tenants gain leverage.
KEY RISKS
- Distance from CBD may limit long-term capital growth potential
COMPARABLE MARKETS
- Bass Hill (NSW): $1,328,447 median, 3.4% yield, 12.5% 1yr growth
- Bankstown (NSW): $1,504,986 median, 2.8% yield, 10.7% 1yr growth
- Barrack Point (NSW): $1,671,610 median, 2.6% yield, 1.8% 1yr growth
THE PLAY
Fernleigh presents a compelling investment opportunity. The combination of solid fundamentals and moderate rental demand supports entry at current price levels. Proceed with due diligence on specific properties. Target gross yields above 2.8% and prioritise properties with value-add potential. Consider timing entry around the current boom phase of the market cycle.
- Entry range: $1,693,803 – $2,070,203
- 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
high confidenceBasis: 5yr CAGR 26.2% + 10yr CAGR 18.2%
- +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 2026-07
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
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Analyse a Property →Data sourced from ABS, state government property sales, and Airbnb market analytics. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.