Zetland Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
Zetland NSW Investment Analysis
SUBURB INVESTMENT BRIEF — Zetland, NSW 2017 LGA: Generated: 2026-04-11 | Estait AI Analysis
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Overall Score: 71/100 — Buy
Zetland rates as "Buy" due to strong growth fundamentals.
Zetland sits in a growth phase of the property cycle with an overall investment score of 71 out of 100. This assessment reflects the suburb's growth trajectory, rental market health, economic resilience, and infrastructure positioning within the NSW market.
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MARKET POSITION
Median house price: $2,610,153 Median unit price: $1,369,216 Median weekly rent: $1,000/week Days on market: 15 days (improving)
Zetland commands a premium position in the NSW property landscape. Properties are spending an average of 15 days on market, indicating strong buyer competition.
Comparable suburbs: - Newtown (NSW): Median $2,000,000, yield 2.4%, 1yr growth 6.8% - Glebe (NSW): Median $2,700,000, yield 1.8%, 1yr growth 3.3% - Watsons Bay (NSW): Median $2,733,804, yield 3.1%, 1yr growth 14.7%
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RENTAL MARKET
Gross rental yield: 2.0% Net rental yield: 0.5% Vacancy rate: 2.5% (stable) Rental demand: Moderate
The rental market in Zetland is characterised by moderate demand with a vacancy rate of 2.5%, which is near the national average of approximately 2.5%. Vacancy is trending stable, maintaining steady conditions.
Short-term rental data indicates a median nightly rate of $195 with an estimated occupancy of 68%. This translates to an estimated annual STR revenue of $48,399 before expenses. Long-term rental at $52,000/year may offer comparable or better risk-adjusted returns given lower management overhead.
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GROWTH OUTLOOK
Population growth (5yr): 1.9% Price CAGR (5yr): 7.0% Capital growth (3yr forecast): 7.8% Supply pipeline: Low
Price growth outpacing new supply, limited development pipeline
Infrastructure & transport: - No major infrastructure projects identified. Transport: Well-connected inner-city location
If Zetland maintains 3%+ annual growth and vacancy stays below 1.8%, median prices could reach $3,001,676 within 3 years with yields compressing slightly as capital values rise.
At current trajectory (1.9% growth, 2.5% vacancy, 2.0% yield), Zetland offers steady returns with moderate capital appreciation in line with broader market trends.
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RISK ASSESSMENT
Market cycle position: Growth Vacancy risk: Moderate
Key risks: - Premium price point limits buyer pool and increases interest rate sensitivity
Interest rate sensitivity (est. monthly repayment on median house price, 80% LVR): - At 7%: $13,892/month - At 8%: $15,322/month - At 9%: $16,802/month
A market correction or interest rate shock could see prices in Zetland pull back 10-15% from $2,610,153, with vacancy rising to 4.5% and rental yields softening as tenants gain leverage.
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LIVEABILITY
Affluence rating: Very High Safety score: 8.2/10 Walkability: 80/100 Owner-occupied: 35%
Schools: - Zetland Public School (primary): Rating 10.0/10 - Zetland East Public School (primary): Rating 9.5/10 - Zetland West Public School (primary): Rating 9.0/10 - Zetland High School (secondary): Rating 10.0/10
Zetland is a highly sought-after residential area with excellent safety ratings and strong walkability. The 35% owner-occupier rate indicates a predominantly rental market.
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RECOMMENDATION — BUY
Zetland presents a compelling investment opportunity. The combination of solid fundamentals and moderate rental demand supports entry at current price levels.
Conditions: Proceed with due diligence on specific properties. Target gross yields above 2.0% and prioritise properties with value-add potential. Consider timing entry around the current growth phase of the market cycle.
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KEY ACTION ITEMS
1. Shortlist properties in the $2,349,138 - 2,871,168 range for deeper analysis 2. Verify current vacancy and rental rates with local property managers 3. Assess STR regulatory environment with local council 4. Model cash flow at 7%+ interest rates before committing 5. Engage a buyer's agent with Zetland market expertise for off-market opportunities
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Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
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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.