Top 10 Property Research Tools for 2024 in Australia
In 2024, there are more property research tools in Australia than ever before, with many offering the necessary data for your investment journey. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or a real estate professional, having access to the right tools can significantly enhance your decision-making process. Here’s a detailed look at the top 10 property research tools for 2024.
What are the best property research tools in Australia?
- Microburbs
- CoreLogic
- Domain
- Realestate.com.au
- Suburbs Finder
- SQM Research
- Pricefinder
- Homely
- Archistar
- PropTrack
1. Microburbs
Microburbs offers detailed suburb reports, a suburb finder tool to find the highest performing suburbs, and exclusive suburb- and street-level data. Microburbs provides market forecasts that have outperformed the market by 10.3%. The platform also provides unique metrics like public housing data, gentrification data, convenience scores, and natural disaster risks as well as insights into lifestyle, affordability, and safety. Microburbs’ data is 100% independent and exclusive, giving you an edge over other investors.
Pros:
- Street-level data for median pricing, capital growth, and other metrics
- Public housing data, noise maps, open development applications
- Comprehensive suburb profiles and reports
- Real-time data and updates
- AI-powered algorithmic forecasting
- 30+ years of historical data and 1 billion+ data points
- 90 million real estate listings
- Operating for 10+ years
- Free features to "try before you buy"
Cons:
- Depth of data of advanced products may require some ability to interpret data
- Higher subscription costs
Pricing:
Microburbs’ offer free reports and data with limited access. Full, detailed reports are $50.00 each and advanced features and monthly allowances of reports are available through premium subscriptions, which start at $158 per month.
2. CoreLogic RP Data
CoreLogic RP Data is a leading property data, information, analytics, and services provider in Australia. CoreLogic offers many different targeted at many different markets. It offers historical sales data, property details, market trends, and valuation estimates.
Pros:
- Extensive historical data
- Detailed property and market analytics
- Trusted by industry professionals
- Comprehensive market trends and value estimates
Cons:
- No street level data
- High subscription costs
- Complex interface for new users
- Data might be too general for specific needs
- Can be confusing as there are many services
- Requires customers to jump between tools to compile information
Pricing:
Subscription plans start at $139 per month, with more advanced features available at higher tiers.
3. Domain
Domain offers property listings, market insights, suburb profiles, and a property value estimator. Customers can view all active listings, one at a time. Looking at one listing at a time is necessary but it is difficult to see larger trends. It’s widely used by both buyers and sellers for its comprehensive listings and real-time market updates.
Pros:
- Extensive property listings
- User-friendly interface
- Free basic access
- Features like property price estimate and suburb averages
Cons:
- No street level data
- Focuses primarily on listings
- Hard to see broad trends
- In-depth analytics may require additional subscriptions
- Data depth can vary
- Listings are essentially advertisements, need independent research
Pricing:
Free to use, with optional premium features available at varying costs.
4. Realestate.com.au
This platform provides property listings, suburb insights, property value estimates, and various tools for buyers, sellers, and renters. Like Domain, customers can view all active listings, one at a time. Looking at one listing at a time is necessary but it is difficult to see larger trends. It also includes auction results and investment property analytics.
Pros:
- Largest real estate website in Australia
- Wide range of listings
- Comprehensive suburb insights
- User-friendly design
Cons:
- No street level data
- Hard to see broad trends
- Listings are essentially advertisements, need independent research
- Some advanced features require subscriptions
- Data can sometimes lag behind real-time market conditions
Pricing:
Free basic access, with premium features available through subscription.
5. Suburbs Finder
Suburbs Finder helps users identify high-growth suburbs, positive cash flow areas, and investment opportunities. It includes filters for capital growth, rental yield, and demographic data.
Pros:
- Helps identify suburbs based on criteria
- Specific focus on investment opportunities
- Customisable filters
- Detailed suburb analysis
Cons:
- Less in-depth information
- No street level data
- Requires a subscription for detailed data
- Interface can be complex for new users
Pricing:
Subscriptions start at $99 per month, with an option to upgrade to the Business plan with additional features.
6. SQM Research
SQM Research provides property data and insights, including vacancy rates, broader market trends, rental yields, property listings, and market commentary. SQM is a trusted source for broad, macroeconomic data. It’s a valuable tool for both investors and real estate professionals.
Pros:
- Detailed market analysis
- Wide range of data points
- Provides monthly broad aggregate data such as vacancy rate
- Trusted source for broad aggregate data
Cons:
- No street level data
- No granular data, focused on macroeconomic trends
- Can be expensive
- Steeper learning curve
- More suited for investors than home buyers.
Pricing:
One postcode report costs $39.95, with various subscription plans available, starting from $29.95 per month which gives you access to one postcode report per month. A subscription for Ratings and Funds is also available, starting from $320 per month.
7. PriceFinder
PriceFinder offers comprehensive property data, including sales histories, property values, market trends, and suburb insights. It’s widely used by real estate professionals for accurate market appraisals.
Pros:
- Detailed property and sales data
- Comprehensive property data including valuations
- Accurate market trends
- Professional-grade tool
Cons:
- No street level data
- Not independent data
- Higher cost
- Designed primarily for professionals
Pricing:
Subscription plans start at around $99 per month for investors.
8. Homely
Homely combines property listings with suburb reviews and local insights. It offers unique features like school catchment maps and neighbourhood reviews, making it a great tool for homebuyers.
Pros:
- User-generated suburb reviews written by the community
- School catchment maps
- Free access
Cons:
- No street level data
- Less emphasis on hard data
- Reviews may not reflect market conditions
- Reviews are often out-dated
- Reviews are sometimes written by real estate agents not locals
- Reviews are usually suburb-level but no street-level granularity
- Limited professional-grade data
- Reliant on user reviews for some insights
Pricing:
Free to use with optional premium listings for sellers.
9. Archistar
Archistar provides property development insights, including site feasibility, zoning regulations, and development potential. It’s an essential tool for property developers and investors.
Pros:
- Specialises in property development analytics
- Useful for finding development sites and feasibility studies
- Zoning and feasibility analysis
- Professional-grade tool
Cons:
- No street level data
- Focused on developers
- Expensive for casual users
- Niche focus not useful for general buyers
- Steep learning curve
Pricing:
Plans start at $95 per month, with more advanced features available at higher tiers.
10. PropTrack
PropTrack offers property data, analytics, and insights. It provides detailed property histories, market trends, and investment analysis tools, making it a valuable resource for investors.
Pros:
- Comprehensive property data
- Investment analysis tools
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- No street level data
- Higher subscription cost
- Designed primarily for investors
Pricing:
Subscription plans start at $79 per month.
These top 10 property research tools for 2024 offer a range of features and pricing to suit different needs and budgets. Whether you’re looking for detailed market analysis, investment insights, or user-friendly property listings, these tools can help you make informed decisions in the Australian real estate market.
