What were Canberra's property seekers looking for in 2024?

While Australian home owners were disappointed to miss out on rate cuts in 2024, property markets around the country remained buoyant.

When searching for property this year, home buyers in Canberra prioritised views over pools – knocking it off top spot, according to the Domain End of Year Wrap 2024 report.

This shift made Canberra one of only two capital cities where “pool” wasn’t the leading keyword.

Jonny Warren of Jonny Warren Properties said he had observed a growing demand for homes with scenic vistas over the past year.

“Pools aren’t particularly practical in Canberra, as they’re only used for about three months of the year, whereas a view can be enjoyed year-round,” he said.

“It’s been a rollercoaster year full of uncertainty, and many people just want a place where they can come home and unwind.

“We recently sold a property in Gordon to a couple with high-profile jobs who were seeking exactly that.”

The Domain report also found that searches for “garage” jumped from 12th place to fourth as buyers shifted their focus to storage and secure parking solutions.

Terms such as “dual living”, “courtyard”, and “RZ2” remain highly ranked, reflecting robust interest in affordable housing options, including duplexes and split blocks.

Domain chief of research and economics Dr Nicola Powell said searches for “study” dropped to 11th place after ranking second in 2022 and third in 2023, suggesting a reduced emphasis on home office spaces as office returns become more common.

She added that another key trend was the increasing interest in properties beyond the ACT.

“Canberrans are also increasingly looking to hop over the border into NSW with 47 per cent of searches directed there,” she said. “House hunters are possibly seeking more affordable areas still within proximity of the territory.”