SA beachside suburbs where houses are selling fastest and prices are growing most

Houses are being snapped up faster than those in any other coastal suburb and prices have climbed more than 30 per cent over the past year – here’s why this spot is in such high demand.

Somerton Park is starting off the new year as the shining star of Adelaide’s beachside suburbs.

Houses in the south western locale not only recorded more price growth than those in any other metropolitan coastal suburb over the past year but they also spent the least time on the market, new data reveals.

Latest PropTrack figures show the median price for a Somerton Park house climbed 36.3 per cent in 2023 to $1.54m – which also made it Adelaide’s most expensive beachside suburb.

Its price growth was more than 10 per cent higher than that of its next closest rival Sellicks Beach, where house values rose 25.9 per cent to $709,000.

Somerton Park not only topped Adelaide’s list of beachside suburbs with the most price growth over the past year but also the fastest sellers. Picture: realestate.com.au

Meanwhile, Somerton Park houses were being snapped up fastest, with their median days on market just 26.

It was just ahead of North Brighton and Port Noarlunga South, where the median days on market were 27 and 28 respectively.

Allan Real Estate director Brad Allan said Somerton Park had always been a sought-after area and would continue to be as it became more tightly held.

“The demand is way outstripping supply and it’s had a lot of change over the years,” he said.

“Everyone wants to be west of Brighton Rd, they want to be as close to the beach as possible.

“It’s the location and the walkability to the two main jetties (Brighton and Glenelg) – it’s in that nice sweet spot and it’s generally quiet.”

Mr Allan said residents and those looking to buy in the area liked that it was much quieter than its neighbouring suburbs, which were know for their eateries and retail shops.

Good schools in the surrounding area and easy access to the city were also part of the suburb’s appeal, he said.

“The bulk of people buying there are families with kids or the older retirees,” Mr Allan said.

Sanda and Chris FitzGerald bought their Somerton Park home in April last year.

The couple, who moved from Melbourne, debated whether to buy near the city, around Unley and Goodwood, or the beach.

They were glad they chose the beach, and a suburb that was much quieter than some others along the coastline but still within close reach of eateries and shops.

“The beach we use every day, it was a really big drawcard,” Ms FitzGerald said.

“We either walk to Glenelg’s Jetty Rd or Brighton’s Jetty Rd for those exact reasons.”

They said there was so much to love about the area, including the easy access to the city, great schools and friendly people.

“Since we’ve moved here, we’ve met all our neighbours,” Ms FitzGerald said.

Chris and Sanda FitzGerald purchased their Somerton Park property last year. Picture: Keryn Stevens.

Ouwens Casserly Real Estate managing director Nathan Casserly said beachside areas closer to the city would always be popular but those further south were becoming more appealing.

He said with more people able to work from home a few days a week, they were willing to live further away from the city to make the most of the lifestyle on offer.

“The Sellicks Beach and Maslin Beach coastline is gorgeous and the accessibility has improved significantly,” he said.

“Being home-bound on a beautiful coastline is very appealing.”

Mr Casserly said more stock and affordable prices were also attracting people to the northern and southern beachside suburbs.

Only suburbs with more than 10 sales between January and December last year were included in the analysis.