First National Property Magazine February 2026

04 THE SUMMER SELLING ADVANTAGE

24 LEASED IN JANUARY

Leasing Statistics For January 2026

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2026 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OUTLOOK

THE SUMMER SELLING ADVANTAGE

Why Homes Shine in Summer

There’s a reason so many homes feel their best in Summer. Buyers aren’t only looking at floorplans and features, they’re imagining how life could feel in your home. In summer, that emotional connection is easier to create because properties naturally present as brighter, fresher and more lifestyle-driven.

One of the biggest advantages is natural light. Longer days and clearer skies help homes photograph beautifully and feel more open during inspections. Living areas look lighter, bedrooms feel more inviting, and those “everyday” spaces that can sometimes feel flat in winter suddenly come to life. If you’re planning to sell, it’s a great time to make the most of clean windows, light styling, and uncluttered surfaces that let the sunshine do the heavy lifting.

Summer also brings a boost to street appeal. Gardens, lawns and outdoor plants are typically at their strongest (with a bit of care), and first impressions matter. A quick tidy-up, including trimming your edges, fresh mulch, a few healthy pots by the entry, can instantly lift the way a home is perceived, and it signals that the property has been well maintained.

Then there’s the outdoor living factor. In summer, buyers pay close attention to how a home supports entertaining and family time. Decks, patios and alfresco areas become major selling points when they’re presented as usable spaces. Simple touches help: a clean table setting, an outdoor rug, cushions that look fresh, and a shaded spot buyers can picture themselves using. The goal is to show a “holiday-at-home” feeling without overdoing it.

Comfort matters too. On warm days, buyers notice temperature immediately. Keep the home feeling cool and calm, use blinds on the sunny side, create airflow where possible, and run the air-conditioning lightly before inspections so the house feels pleasant rather than cold. Fresh, clean scents are best; avoid heavy fragrances that can be distracting.

Finally, consider twilight inspections. Summer evenings offer flattering light, cooler temperatures, and that relaxed after-work vibe that helps buyers linger a little longer, often when the best conversations happen.

Selling in Summer isn’t just about timing. It’s about presentation. When a home feels bright, easy and lifestyle-ready, buyers find it much easier to say, “This is the one.”

CASH CLOSE $620PW

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2026

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OUTLOOK

As we move into 2026, commercial market conditions locally are shaping up very differently depending on the asset type, but one theme is clear: tenants and investors are prioritising certainty, functionality and total occupancy cost.

INDUSTRIAL REMAINS THE STANDOUT PERFORMER

Particularly in small-format assets. Vacancy is still tight, and demand continues to be underpinned by local trades, logistics support businesses and owner-occupiers. In Berwick and Narre Warren, limited infill opportunities are keeping supply constrained. Meanwhile, new development activity in Pakenham is generally skewed toward larger industrial estates, leaving sub-1,000 sqm stock notably undersupplied and therefore well supported. For landlords, that means quality smaller warehouses and factories are likely to remain highly sought after, with well-presented premises leasing quickly and holding firm on fundamentals.

OFFICE MARKETS, BY CONTRAST, ARE SELECTIVE

In both Berwick and Narre Warren, tenants are gravitating toward modern one-to two-storey buildings that offer good on-site parking, sensible layouts and predictable outgoings. Older office stock is taking longer to lease unless it has been renovated or priced sharply to match the market. Incentives remain elevated, and we’re seeing a shift in how they’re structured, with rentfree periods increasingly preferred over fit-out contributions or discounted starting rents. This reflects tenant caution and a desire for clearer upfront savings.

RETAIL PERFORMANCE IS MIXED ACROSS THE THREE CENTRES

Berwick and Narre Warren remain very competitive for convenience-based retail, while Pakenham is expected to be slower due to forecast new stock linked to the supermarket redevelopment and the public health facility currently under construction. Medical and servicebased tenancies continue to perform strongly, particularly in Narre Warren. However, secondary retail strips without strong foot traffic are experiencing longer time-on-market and greater incentive expectations, making flexibility on lease terms critical to securing tenants.

RISING OPERATING COSTS WILL BE A KEY STORY IN 2026

Insurance, compliance and energy costs are increasing faster than CPI, driving tenants to focus on total occupancy cost rather than just face rent. Outgoings are being more actively negotiated, with growing scrutiny on what’s recoverable. From an investment and finance standpoint, capital is most active in smaller industrial assets, where pricing remains anchored to local demand rather than institutional yield assumptions. Lending conditions continue to favour well-leased industrial stock, while office and secondary retail face tighter credit settings and a stronger emphasis on lease quality and tenant covenant.

For further information or to speak to one of our commercial experts please phone us on 03 9705 4888.

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