Metford NSW Property Investment

Lake Macquarie · 2323 · Score: 45/100 · Caution

Median House Price
$807K
Rental Yield
4.1%
Vacancy Rate
3.0%
Median Weekly Rent
$630/wk
Median Unit Price
$584K
Population
4,707
Days on Market
20 days
Annual Growth
7.6%

Metford Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market

Avg Nightly Rate
$543/night
Occupancy Rate
40%
Est. Annual Revenue
$79K

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.

AI Investment Analysis

Metford NSW Investment Brief

## 1. Investment Verdict Hold – the 4.1 % gross rental yield is the key figure that underpins the recommendation. It delivers a modest but reliable cash flow while price growth remains healthy.

## 2. Market Overview - Median house price: $807,429 - Median unit price: $583,669 - 1‑yr price growth: 7.6 % - 5‑yr CAGR: 5.8 % per year - 3‑yr growth forecast: 13.5 %

The market has posted solid upside, with 7.6 % growth in the past year and a forecasted 13.5 % rise over the next three years. Days on market is not supplied, so we cannot comment on the speed of sales. The price trajectory signals that sellers can still command premium prices, while buyers should expect modest competition but must price in the upward trend.

## 3. Rental Market - Median weekly rent: $630 - Gross rental yield: 4.1 %

Vacancy rate and demand rating are not provided, so we cannot quantify those metrics. The 4.1 % yield indicates a stable income stream; investors should view the rental market as supportive but not high‑yielding.

## 4. Short‑Term Rental Opportunity No STR data (nightly rate, occupancy, estimated revenue) are supplied. Without those figures we cannot calculate an STR gross yield or compare it to the long‑term rental (LTR) return. Based on the available 4.1 % LTR yield, LTR remains the safer default strategy until STR data emerge.

## 5. Infrastructure & Growth Drivers The data set does not list any specific projects, transport upgrades, or major employers. Consequently we cannot identify concrete demand catalysts or constraints for Metford at this time.

## 6. Bull Case If the 3‑yr forecast of 13.5 % materialises, a median house priced at $807,429 could climb to roughly $916,571 (13.5 % increase). That would generate a capital gain of about $109,000. For units, applying the same percentage lifts the median price from $583,669 to about $662,000, a gain of roughly $78,000. Coupled with the existing 4.1 % yield, total investor return could exceed 7 % per annum in an optimistic scenario.

## 7. Risks - Yield sensitivity – a 4.1 % gross yield leaves little margin if interest rates rise; higher borrowing costs could compress net returns. - Vacancy uncertainty – the vacancy rate is unknown; a rise above 5 % would erode cash flow. - Supply pipeline – without data on upcoming developments, a sudden increase in housing stock could pressure rents and yields. - Economic dependence – lack of information on major employers means we cannot gauge single‑employer risk; any concentration could amplify downside if that employer contracts.

## 8. The Play - Entry range: target houses around $800k–$820k and units around $580k–$600k. - Minimum yield: aim for at least 4.1 % gross to match the current market benchmark. - Watch signals: monitor actual days on market, any published vacancy figures, and announcements of new infrastructure or housing projects. - Strategy: maintain existing positions (Hold) and, for new entrants, acquire at the median price points, lock in the 4.1 % yield, and reassess once vacancy or STR data become available. This approach balances current cash flow with the upside potential highlighted in the bull case.

Gentrification Index

Early gentrification signals4.5/10
▲Low socioeconomic base — classic gentrification precondition
—Moderate capital growth (5.8% CAGR)
▲Active development pipeline (6746 approvals) — supply attracting new residents
▲Strong public transport infrastructure — supports walkable gentrification

Growth Forecast

high confidence
1yr Forecast
3.5%
p.a.
2yr Forecast
3.2%
p.a.
5yr Forecast
2.8%
p.a.

Basis: 5yr CAGR 5.8% + 10yr CAGR 1.4%

Growth drivers
  • +Active market (20 days avg)
Headwinds
  • −High supply pipeline (6746 new approvals) — may cap price growth

Suburb Metric Thresholds

3 green9 yellow4 red
Rental Vacancy Rate
3 high impact
Days on Market
20 high impact
Weekly Rent (house)
630 medium impact
5yr Price CAGR
5.79 high impact
10yr Price CAGR
1.36 high impact
1yr Price Growth
7.6 medium impact
Population Growth
0.24 high impact
Median Household Income
1541 medium impact
Unemployment Rate
5.1 medium impact
Public Transport Score
6.9 medium impact
School Zone Quality
4 medium impact
Distance to CBD
128.11 medium impact
SEIFA Advantage/Disadvantage
4 medium impact
Owner Occupier Rate
65 medium impact
Gross Rental Yield (%)
4.06 high impact
Net Rental Yield (%)
2.56 high impact

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

1,253

2020

1,328

2021

1,498

2022

1,359

2023

1,308

2025

New dwelling approvals — higher numbers mean more future supply

Socio-Economic Profile

Source: ABS Census 2021

SEIFA Index · Postcode 2323

Most disadvantagedLeast disadvantaged

Decile 4 of 10 — Average

Population

26,051

Education (IEO)

4/10

Econ. Resources (IER)

5/10

10-Year Investment Projection

Modelled on Metford NSW data — rent, capital growth, tax, and depreciation over 10 years.

Pre-filled: $630/wk median rent for Metford. Capital growth and rent increase are editable assumptions.

Schools

In your catchment

Metford PS
PrimaryGovernment
3.5/10
Maitland Grossmann HS
SecondaryGovernment
5.4/10

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.

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Data sourced from ABS, state government property sales, and Airbnb market analytics. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.