Despite the double whammy of multiple interest rate hikes this year and an investor-unfriendly May Federal Budget, buyer demand for lifestyle property across Yamba, Maclean and Iluka in the NSW Clarence Valley region of NSW, continues to be resilient, according to Brandon Bourke, Director of award-winning Raine & Horne Maclean| Yamba| Iluka.
Raine & Horne Maclean| Yamba| Iluka was recently named the Top Office for Sales GCI for calendar year 2025 at the glittering Annual Raine & Horne Queensland/Northern Rivers State Awards held at The Star Brisbane. The business was also named second for the Number of Sales Transactions, while gun sales agent Angus Suttor was among the group’s Top 10 agents for GCI and the number of sales transactions. “While we were delighted with this success, our overriding goal is to build something meaningful for our Lower Clarence Valley region,” Mr Bourke said.
Lifestyle buyers help local markets defy economic and political headwinds
Mr Bourke said the local property market had normalised since the “intense conditions” experienced during the COVID-era boom into a more balanced environment, although well-positioned coastal homes continue to attract strong enquiries from downsizers, retirees and interstate lifestyle buyers.
“Buyer demand is still very strong, particularly with the lifestyle and coastal properties that we generally represent,” Mr Bourke said. “Buyers are certainly selective in how they go about their negotiations and due diligence, and they’re definitely cost-conscious, but they’re still there, and they’re still moving on quality properties.”
Yamba remains the premium market in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, according to Mr Bourke, due to its coastal appeal and long-standing reputation as a holiday destination. “Yamba has always attracted buyers from Sydney, Newcastle and inland regional areas from Casino all the way up to the Sunshine Coast because of its coastal lifestyle,” he said. “Maclean is more of an inland regional hub, while Iluka is a quieter village-style market.”
While property values vary across the three markets, Mr Bourke said the majority of transactions continue to occur between $700,000 and $1.2 million.
“Entry-level units in Iluka can start in the mid-$400,000s, while at the premium end - $6 million plus - Yamba continues to attract increasing interest for tightly held oceanfront homes, with the long-term trajectory of this market continuing to strengthen.
“However, the bulk of transactions are still occurring between $700,000 and $1.2 million, which represents strong value for lifestyle buyers,” he said.
“The biggest driver of demand is downsizers, retirees and people seeking lifestyle relocations, particularly from interstate. We are also seeing some investors because of our region’s affordability and relatively competitive yields of 3.8%.”
On the supply side, Mr Bourke confirmed a dichotomy between appraisals and listings. “There’s no question appraisal activity is up compared to a year ago,” he said. “But listings are probably still relatively stable as vendors are looking at their options and moving a little more slowly than a year or so ago.”
He added, “The caution is not related to the Budget announcements. Rather, people have already factored in the higher cost of living, rising interest rates and the longer-term impacts of global geopolitical uncertainty and supply pressures. Buyers and sellers are taking all of those factors into account.”
Community culture and values-led leadership underpin the award-winning office
Beyond real estate performance, Mr Bourke said community relations remained a major focus for Raine & Horne Maclean| Yamba| Iluka.
“I grew up in the country Victoria, and my parents were heavily involved in the local community. If there was a committee or a cause that needed volunteers, they were always there helping out. I grew up not knowing anything different, so community involvement is very much part of my DNA,” he said.
“We genuinely live and breathe the community in our business, and we know real estate is not just about property, it’s actually about people, and this is the reason we immerse ourselves in our communities”, he said.
Raine & Horne Maclean| Yamba| Iluka supports a broad range of local initiatives, including the annual Brooms to Bowlo Charity Walk for cystic fibrosis, which has raised more than $133,000 since its inception, as well as sponsorships of local sporting clubs, arts programs and community organisations. This includes donating defibrillators to the local McLean tennis clubs.
“We also hosted Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea for the Cancer Council on 22 May, which raised $5,000 and awareness for local families affected by cancer.”
Mr Bourke said his style of leadership was built around values, culture and long-term relationships rather than purely meeting financial targets. “I’m a values-led leader,” he said. “Performance, both financial and numerical, is a derivative of having a good quality culture that is values-based.
“For me, leadership is about providing direction through uncertainty, protecting standards, helping people make good long-term decisions, and caring about community outcomes.”
He added, “I’ve got a great team in each department of the business, including sales, property management and admin, and I look for people with a growth mindset, and who can lead themselves and lead others.”
Mr Bourke said joining the Raine & Horne network in 2023 aligned closely with his philosophy on family, legacy and long-term thinking.
“What hit home with me was that our Executive Chairman, Angus Raine, cares deeply about his role as a custodian of the family name and business,” he said. “That family-business approach and long-term mindset really connected with me.”
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