Kiama property prices have risen by a whopping 80.7 per cent over the past five years with a 10.3 per cent rise in the last 12 months, according to the latest Domain House Price Report.

The median house sale price of $1.5 million surpasses Byron Bay and shows no signs of leveling off.

The report shows Kiama is only $128,000 behind Sydney’s new record median of $1,628,000 and eclipses Byron’s median price of $1,327,500.

Even so, Michele Lay, Founder and Licensee in charge of Ray White Kiama, says the real estate world is, ‘a very fickle place.’

“The growth that we have experienced over the past four or five years is not what we are seeing at the coalface,” Ms Lay says. “Properties are spending more days on the market and purchasers are making multiple offers on properties to hedge their bets.” 

“Anything below the median price currently of $1,500,000 seems to be selling well if a vendor is realistic.”

Craig Higbid, the Founder and Director of South Coast Prestige Properties, says Kiama is a highly desirable area.

“With house prices in Sydney still rising 11 per cent over the past year and 2.1 per cent in the last quarter, it means sea-changers have enough equity in their city homes to purchase local properties and still have money left over,” Mr Higbid says.

“Whether these prices continue will hinge on interest rates and inflation. It would be good to get some clarity around those variables.” 

Mayor Neil Reilly has been promoting Kiama’s natural beauty, its businesses and people for many years.

“There are so many reasons why Kiama is a most desirable place to live. There is the natural beauty of the area, the temperate climate, its proximity to Sydney, but for me, it’s the people,” Mayor Reilly says.

“We take pride in the area; we take pride in each other. We are there if our neighbours need us, we are willing to help and support each other. We are all aware of the pressure to develop, but wary of the consequences of overdevelopment.” 

“Which is why we’re working hard to create our Growth and Housing Strategy, in consultation with our community and other stakeholders. We want to ensure our Municipality continues to be a place to thrive, surrounded by people who care." 

Ryan Jamieson, his partner Roxy and daughter, Scarlett.

Yet, it’s not all economic sunshine for some.

Kiama local Ryan Jamieson and his family are living in his mother-in-law’s one-bedroom granny flat in Kiama Downs. They’re desperate to find a long-term rental in Kiama.

“My partner and I sleep on the pull-out sofa and our eldest daughter shares a bed with her grandmother,” Ryan says.

He has been looking for a place to rent since the start of February and can pay $650-700 per week.

“I reckon we have been knocked back for a rental property around 15 times, mainly I think because of the dog who lives outside.”

“Some rentals have been taken even before people inspect them and that seems unfair.”