Investment By Design

Is Cairns on the verge of a major transformation? In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with Sarah Mort, Managing Director of MiHaven Cairns, to unpack the real forces shaping the city’s future. With 20 years of experience in the Cairns economy and over $50 million in NDIS projects, 135 share house rooms, and multiple residential developments, Sarah provides rare insight into what’s really happening on the ground.

Whether you're buying in Cairns, investing in property, or simply want to understand the region’s changing economy, population outlook, and housing supply, this video breaks it all down in a way that’s accessible, honest, and data-backed.

From the airport expansion and population pressures to the housing shortage, land constraints, and economic diversification, we explore what these shifts mean for property values, rental demand, and long-term growth in Far North Queensland.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

00:00 – Introduction & Sarah Mort’s Background

03:13 – Cairns Population Growth & Infrastructure Pressures

07:09 – Land Shortage and Housing Affordability Challenges

09:19 – The Case for Density & Community Acceptance

13:02 – A More Diverse Cairns Economy: Health, Defence, Aviation & More

21:04 – The Evolution of MiHaven: Infill, Student Accommodation & NDIS

34:48 – Sky Haven: A New Airport Accommodation Project

43:18 – Smart Design, Planning & De-Risking the Development

50:27 – Investment Overview: Structure, Returns & Timeline

📈 Cairns Market Snapshot (2025)Here’s where the Cairns market currently stands based on recent data:

-Strong Price Growth: House prices have risen ~10% over the past year, with forecasts of 7–11% growth in 2025.

-Extremely Tight Rental Market: Vacancy rates around 0.7%, with strong yields above 5%.

-Diverse, Resilient Economy: Growth driven by health, construction, defence, aviation engineering, tourism, and education.

-High Demand, Low Supply: Less than two months of listing stock, pointing toward continued upward pressure on prices.

🤔 Is Cairns a Good Place to Buy or Invest?

We break down the real factors influencing the Cairns property market today:

• Why population growth is accelerating

• How the airport upgrade and infrastructure spend may reshape the region• The risks and opportunities for homebuyers and investors

• Why limited land supply may continue to support price growthIf you’re researching Cairns real estate, the Cairns economy, or FNQ property investment, this episode gives you the clarity you need.

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📚 Disclaimer

This video is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Always conduct your own due diligence and seek guidance from qualified financial, legal, and real estate professionals.

Wanting help buying real estate in Cairns? Get in touch with the team at The Buyers Co today. www.thebuyersco.com.au

Thinking about buying an apartment in Cairns? Don’t overlook this investment class!

Apartments and units can be one of the most affordable and high-potential property types for first-time buyers and investors alike, especially here in Cairns.

In this episode, Cairns Buyers Agent Shaun Craike from The Buyers Co sits down with Apartment Sales Specialist, Tim Lyon, to break down:

🏙️ Why apartments can outperform houses in certain market cycles

💰 The real story behind body corporate costs

📈 How to find units with genuine capital growth potential

🌴 The key suburbs and pockets where Cairns apartment investments still make sense

🤝 Why working with a local buyers agent in Cairns helps you avoid costly mistakes

Whether you’re a first home buyer, an interstate investor, or simply exploring Cairns real estate, this episode will give you a grounded view of how to invest smart on a budget.

Timestamps-

0:00 - Introduction

0:45 - The "Explosion" in the Cairns Apartment Market

1:35 - Why the Apartment Market Lagged & Then Caught Up

2:43 - Real-World Growth Examples: 25-30% Increases

5:41 - Who is Driving the Demand? (Local Buyers vs. Interstate Investors)

7:58 - Bullish Outlook for 2026 & Impact of Government Policy

10:09 - The Critical Supply & Demand Imbalance

12:00 - Developer Challenges & Long Lead Times for New Supply

14:37 - Population Growth & Cairns's "Snow Globe" Effect

16:31 - Economic Diversification: Airport, Defence, and Health

19:35 - What to Look For When Buying an Apartment

22:25 - Understanding Body Corporates: Funds & Responsibilities

26:42 - Cost of Ownership: Apartments vs. Houses

29:56 - Challenging the "Land Appreciates, Buildings Depreciate" Myth

33:49 - The Power of Location and Scarcity

36:59 - Final Advice: Be Frugal and Be Aggressive

🏡 Learn more about The Buyers Co: www.thebuyersco.com.au

📍 We’re your trusted Cairns Buyers Agent — helping investors and home buyers source, negotiate and secure the right property across Far North Queensland.

#CairnsBuyersAgent #CairnsRealEstate #PropertyInvesting #ApartmentInvestment #CairnsPropertyMarket #TheBuyersCo #RealEstatePodcast #InvestmentByDesign #FNQRealEstate #CairnsUnits

Thinking about buying or investing in Cairns? In this 2026 Cairns property market forecast, we break down everything you need to know before making your next move from housing growth trends and rental vacancies to major developments and the region’s shift beyond tourism.

The Cairns real estate market has outperformed many capital cities in recent years, and 2026 could be another breakout year. Whether you’re an investor chasing yield, a first home buyer, or relocating to Far North Queensland, this deep dive will help you understand where the opportunities (and risks) lie.

In this video, we cover:

00:00 – Introduction

00:16 – How Cairns Real Estate performed through 2025

03:12 – "Towards 2050- Growth Strategy" by Cairns Council

03:50 – Population growth forecasts expect an addition 72,000 people

05:37 – Cairns Economy a story of diversification.

06:16 – Cairns Real Estate Growth Corridor

07:03 – Restricted supply of Apartments and Units in Cairns

08:41 – Challenges facing land and house supply in Cairns

09:25 – Risks facing the Cairns Real Estate market in 2026

11:20 – Summary and prediction on how the Cairns Real Estate market will perform in 2026

👉 If you’re looking to buy property in Cairns or want expert help sourcing your next investment, visit www.thebuyersco.com.au or reach out to The Buyers Co. today.

To view the full "Towards 2050: Shaping Cairns Growth Strategy." click the link below:https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/707251/2025-Growth-Strategy.pdf

💡 Why watch:

✔ Predictive insights into Cairns real estate growth in 2026

✔ Learn which suburbs could outperform in the next 12 months

✔ Understand rental yields, supply constraints, and infrastructure impact

✔ See how Cairns is diversifying beyond tourism into a broader economy

🏡 About The Buyers Co.

We help home buyers and investors plan, source, and secure the right property in Cairns and across regional Queensland. After more than a decade of personal investing success, we’re passionate about helping others make confident, data-driven decisions in today’s market.

📞 Let’s connect:

Website: www.thebuyersco.com.au

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0466 090 016

#CairnsPropertyMarket #InvestingInCairns #CairnsRealEstate #CairnsProperty2026 #QueenslandProperty #FarNorthQueensland #TheBuyersCo

In this week’s episode, we chat with Emma Craig, one of Queensland’s most respected property managers and the youngest Principal in the Professionals Network globally.

Emma brings over a decade of experience managing investment properties across Cairns and regional Queensland, sharing powerful insights into what it really takes to build a successful property portfolio in today’s market.

Whether you’re a first-time investor, exploring rentvesting, or looking to grow your property portfolio, this episode is packed with actionable advice, local insights, and real-world examples.

⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics:

0:16 ➤ Big Milestone: Becoming the youngest Principal in the Professionals Network (Australia & Global)

1:56 ➤ Investor Mistakes: Where real estate investors go wrong with property and tenant selection

3:04 ➤ Vacancy Costs: Why every week your property sits empty costs you money

6:35 ➤ Investor Mindset: What it really takes to be a successful property investor

8:31 ➤ Case Study: The success story of Emma’s Edge Hill Airbnb

12:28 ➤ Renovation Pitfalls: How to avoid drawn-out renovations and unnecessary costs

13:34 ➤ Buying in Cairns: Emma’s top advice for property buyers in Far North Queensland

23:11 ➤ Regional Growth: The trend of people moving to regional areas for affordability

23:40 ➤ Rentvesting Explained: How first home buyers can use this strategy to enter the market

Looking for a qualified buyers agent to assist with your next purchase? Check out www.thebuyersco.com.au

In this episode of Investment by Design, we sit down with James Fennell, a self-made multi-millionaire developer who’s built projects worth hundreds of million across Cairns, Gladstone, and Townsville.

James shares his raw and unfiltered journey from his first development with no plan to navigating the GFC, when the bank literally ran out of money mid-project. You’ll hear what it really takes to make it in property development in Australia, the lessons learned from some of the toughest market cycles, and the advice he’d give to his 18-year-old self starting out in real estate.

Whether you’re a North Queensland property investor, a first-time developer, or just curious about the Australian housing market, this conversation is packed with hard-earned insights and straight talk from someone who’s done it all.

🔑 In This Episode:

00:00 – Introduction

00:12 – How James got started in property development

00:35 – First deal knowing little about development

04:40 – Making $15 million in one deal, developers huge win

07:27 – The $30M Gladstone project and when the bank ran out of money

08:10 – Why being “hyper-local” matters when investing in North Queensland

10:48 – Advice from Harry Triguboff

11:25 – What it costs (and how long it takes) to do a 1-into-2 subdivision

15:50 – The housing crisis: what needs to change

19:20 – Where the next big opportunity is for real estate investors21:08 – The challenge with building units and apartments in regional areas like Cairns26:54 – How to negotiate a real estate purchase beyond price31:36 – How to buy below market real estate deals

34:14 – What James would tell his 18-year-old self

💡 Topics Covered:

Property development in Cairns, Townsville, and Gladstone

North Queensland real estate trends and opportunities

Subdivision costs and timelines in Queensland

Lessons from the GFC for modern investors

How to de-risk your property deals

Australian housing crisis and potential solutions

🎙️ About The Buyers Co. & Investment by DesignWe’re The Buyers Co, a North Queensland buyer’s agency helping clients purchase smarter across Cairns, Townsville, and beyond.

Our podcast Investment by Design shares real conversations with investors, developers, and industry experts shaping the property landscape in Australia.

📍 Based in Cairns | Operating across North Queensland🌐 Learn more: www.thebuyersco.com.au

Finding Real Value in Today’s Property Market (with Nicole Craike)

In this episode, we unpack what it really takes to find value in today’s property market, even when everything feels expensive.

I’m joined by Nicole Craike, and together we share the story of how we purchased a block of units that had been sitting on the market for over 200 days and why it turned out to be a true diamond in the rough.

We also dive into:💎 How to spot overlooked deals that others scroll past because of poor presentation or weak marketing.
🏠 Why well-presented homes often sell above market value and how to identify when you’re paying for styling, not substance.
📈 The importance of buying around the median price point and avoiding the risks of high-end properties.
🚫 Why luxury homes often underperform as both short-term and long-term rentals, especially in regional markets like Cairns and Townsville.
💸 Why property has always felt expensive to buy and what 15 years in real estate has taught us about staying focused when others walk away.

If you’re looking to buy in Cairns, Townsville, or anywhere across North Queensland, this episode will help you spot the real opportunities and buy by design.

👉 Learn more at www.thebuyersco.com.au

In this episode of Investment by Design, I sit down with David Galloway-Penny, who proves it’s never too late to start investing in property. After buying his first investment property at 41, David has built a portfolio of four properties in just five years, all while navigating Australia’s changing real estate market.We dive deep into:✅ The real costs of property development and how they’re restricting new unit supply.✅ Why units and apartments could be a smart investment in today’s market.✅ The pros and cons of buying property through a self-managed super fund (SMSF).✅ What David would tell his 18-year-old self about wealth building and financial freedom.If you’re looking to invest in North Queensland property, or want to understand how to build a successful real estate portfolio later in life, this episode is packed with real-world insights and practical advice for Australian investors.👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations on property investing, market trends, and buyer strategies across North Queensland and Australia.

www.thebuyersco.com.au

In this episode of Investment by Design, I’m joined by my wife, Nicole, as we open up about our real property investing journey, the highs, the lows, and everything in between.We share the real story behind how we started investing in property, the mistakes we made, and the lessons that helped us grow a diverse portfolio across Cairns, Townsville, and Port Douglas. From overcoming the fear of debt to finding off-market opportunities and managing risk, this conversation is an honest look at what it really takes to build wealth through Australian real estate.💬 In this episode we cover:Our worst investment moments (and what we learned)How we’ve found and secured off-market properties in North QueenslandBalancing risk and reward as a coupleThe fear of debt and how to move past itWhat advice Nicole would give her 18-year-old self about money and propertyIf you’re an Australian property investor or you’re thinking about buying in Cairns, Townsville, or Port Douglas, this episode will give you genuine insights into what it takes to build a successful property portfolio in North Queensland.👉 Subscribe to Investment by Design for more real conversations about Australian property investing, strategy, and mindset.

In this episode of the Investment By Design Podcast, we sit down with Ken Turner, one of Cairns’ most respected real estate agents and an active property investor.Ken shares his incredible journey of buying six properties in just 12 months, revealing the mindset, strategy, and lessons that helped him build his portfolio. He also dives deep into the Cairns real estate market, discussing what’s driving growth, where the best opportunities are, and his insights for both new and experienced investors.🎙 In this episode:How Ken built a multi-property portfolio in under a yearInsider insights on the current Cairns property marketTips for investors looking to buy their first or next propertyHow to think long-term and invest with confidenceWhether you’re a first-time investor or growing your portfolio, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration from someone who’s doing it every day.📍 Watch now and learn how to invest smarter in Cairns and across Australia.