Batemans Bay | Mollymook | Berridale
How pets are transforming the property market
As someone who has always loved dogs.
I’ve been watching with keen interest how our furry friends have impacted our housing decisions recently, as they were definitely a catalyst for my own property decisions. It’s pretty clear that I’m not the only one whose favourite part of the day is being greeted by a four-legged friend when I get home. And like so many other people, I’m happy to put my dogs first when it comes to what I want in a house.
All of this is why I wasn’t surprised to read 73% of Australian households now own a pet. The national Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) survey that featured this data was released in September last year. The report also highlighted that 86% of owners said their pets have positively impacted their lives, particularly during the continuing cost-ofliving crisis.
I couldn’t agree more. Home buyers are increasingly zeroing in on properties with pet friendly features: think secure fencing, grassed areas, durable flooring, relaxed strata rules, dog wash stations, and proximity to parks and off-leash areas where four-legged companions can run free.
We discuss this and the property market changes occurring as a result, in our McGrath Report 2026.
Firstly, don’t expect to see our love of pets decline. The AMA report found that COVID lockdowns and similar helped to drive our pet household figures from 61% in 2019 to 69% in 2022. As a result, 7.7 million households now have a pet.
Another survey took a closer look at how pets are impacting home buyers’ plans. A national survey released by property developer, Capital Corporation in July last year found 59% of potential downsizers were keen to purchase a pet when they moved. One in three of these people wanted their next property to have pet-friendly inclusions such as landscaped grounds and private gardens.
Meanwhile, recent tenancy laws in several states, including Victoria, NSW and Queensland, have restricted property investors’ ability to refuse tenants’ pets. This has resulted in some landlords leaving the market, and a decline in rental properties. In July 2025, a national Budget Pet Products survey found only 15.91% of advertised rentals were pet friendly, and these cost an extra 7.51% more than non-pet-friendly rentals.
This is largely why there’s been an escalation in “pet bidding”.
It’s clear there’s a lot of tenants who can’t find a home, because they own a pet. But if you’re prepared to welcome pets, you could find a tenant much faster. This tenant may also be keen to stay longer than usual, due to the lack of pet-friendly rental properties.
You can enjoy pet peace of mind by organising regular inspections of the property. If the pet has damaged your home, some states’ rental laws allow pet bonds, which will help cover this problem.
Depending on where you live, you may be available to include tenancy lease clauses about the acceptable size, breed, and number of pets. Strata bylaws may already have such clauses in place, for example, asking tenants for pet references from their former landlords and consider meeting the pet before agreeing to the lease.
And there’s anecdotal evidence to suggest that being pet friendly can increase property value by 10%. As for landlords, there’s plenty of research that shows tenants will pay extra for a place where their pets are welcome – in some cities to the tune of a 30% premium.
I believe pets are worth their weight in gold. So, I’m looking forward to seeing what I think will be an even bigger impact on the market, both this year and beyond.
John McGrath CEO & FOUNDER
It’s the little things that make a house a home.
Each little action we take adds up to a great experience, that’s why McGrath focus on the little things. It leaves nothing to chance and everything to gain.
Ulludulla | Batemans Bay
14 Old Princes Highway, Batemans Bay
4 beds 2 baths 2 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,150,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
12 Barbara Crescent, Denhams Beach
3 beds 2 baths 1 car
FOR SALE
Price Guide
$1,000,000 - $1,100,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
34 Clyde View Drive, Long Beach
Land
FOR SALE
Price Guide $869,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
2/15 Crown Street, Batemans Bay
1 bed 1 bath 1 car
FOR SALE
Price Guide $369,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
78 Burri Point Road, Guerilla Bay
6 beds 2 baths FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,550,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
49 Blairs Road, Long Beach
5 beds 6 baths 1 car FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,275,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
3 beds 2 baths
FOR SALE
Price Guide $750,000 - $875,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Greig McFarlane 0412 725 505
47 Grandfathers Gully Road, Lilli Pilli 3 beds 2 baths 2 cars
FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,750,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
107 Tallawang Avenue, Malua Bay
5 beds 2 baths 5 cars
FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,350,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
Lots 2-10, 39A Old Princes Hwy, Batemans Bay
Ulludulla | Batemans Bay
5
SALE
Price Guide $469,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
28 Burri Palm Way,
beds 2 baths 1 car FOR SALE
Price Guide
$1,095,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
17 Balmoral Road,
beds 3 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,150,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Sophie Eriksson 0408 461 960
Eve McDonald 0493 143 637
SALE
Price Guide $400,000 - $430,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
SALE
Price Guide $1,350,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
43 Canberra Crescent, Burrill
Price Guide $480,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
Sophie Eriksson 0408 461 960
SALE
Price Guide $1,350,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Kylie Allan 0415 980 330
Luke Allan 0412 159 593
Bada Crescent,
4 beds 2 baths 4 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,600,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
26 Windemere Drive,
4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,200,000 - $1,300,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Eve McDonald 0493 143 637
Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
Lot 320, Bolwarra Cct, North Batemans Bay Land
Amaroo Drive, Rosedale Land
Kauzal Crescent, Surf Beach 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
Surfside
2162 George Bass Drive, Tomakin Land
Burrill Lake
Burrill Lake
Lake
Conjola Park
Ulludulla | Batemans Bay
4 Hayward Street, Conjola Park 3 beds 2 baths 2 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,450,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
67 Windward Way, Milton
4 beds 2 baths 4 cars
FOR SALE
Price Guide $2,900,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
44 Seaview Street, Mollymook
5 beds 4 baths 1 car
FOR SALE
Price Guide $2,000,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
Jessica Parker 0455 590 004
15 The Rampart, Manyana 3 beds 1 bath 3 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide
$1,400,000 - $1,500,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
17 Shipton Crescent, Mollymook
6 beds 5 baths 2 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide $8,000,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
5/1 Ingold Avenue, Mollymook 2 beds 1 bath 1 car FOR SALE
Price Guide $770,000 - $820,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
3D Valley View Close, Milton 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide $2,200,000 - $2,300,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Sophie Eriksson 0408 461 960
Jessica Parker 0455 590 004
41 Nethercote Street, Mollymook 5 beds 2 baths 2 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,600,000 - $1,700,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
Sophie Eriksson 0408 461 960
12 Beach Road, Mollymook Beach
7 beds 4 baths 4 cars
AUCTION Saturday 28 February 2.00pm
Price Guide $6,750,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
Ulludulla | Batemans Bay
12B Bond Place, Mollymook Beach
4 beds 2 baths 1 car FOR SALE
Price Guide
$1,500,000 - $1,600,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
Sophie Eriksson 0408 461 960
8 Valley Drive, Mollymook Beach
3 beds 2 baths 2 cars
FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,150,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
16 Garside Road, Mollymook Beach
3 beds 1 bath 1 car FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,190,000 - $1,260,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Sophie Eriksson 0408 461 960
Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
Sophie Eriksson 0408 461 960 Lot 1,2,3,15,16,17,19,20,21, 11
Price Guide $475,000 - $600,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
56 Gemini Way, Narrawallee 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide
$1,500,000 - $1,600,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Sophie Eriksson 0408 461 960
Eve McDonald 0493 143 637
150 Camden Street, Ulladulla 4 beds 1 bath 1 car FOR SALE
Price Guide $2,175,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
6 Treetops Crescent, Mollymook Beach 3 beds 2 baths 2 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,300,000 - $1,400,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
16 Capricorn Avenue, Narrawallee 6 beds 4 baths 4 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide $2,600,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
46 St Vincent Street, Ulladulla Land FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,390,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
Price Guide $580,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
Stephanie Ash 0458 000 253
Price Guide $420,000 - $450,000
View as advertised or by appointment
Agent Andrea Tucker 0402 487 887
Eve McDonald 0493 143 637
8A Colden Place, Ulladulla Land
Lot 21, 23 & 25, Red Gum Drive, Ulladulla Land
How to buy your dream home at auction.
With auction clearance rates holding steady in a busy auction market, a growing number of buyers are starting to hone their bidding skills to win their dream property.
There’s much more to successfully bidding for a property than turning up and raising your hand. So, below, we have listed seven tips for buying at auction.
WATCH AND LEARN
It’s a great idea to attend a handful of auctions to get a feel for them. You’ll learn how auctioneers approach their task, and how prospective buyers respond. Sometimes, bidding becomes competitive and that’s when you have to keep a level head.
RESEARCH VALUES
To avoid overpaying, you need to work with agents and use websites to establish the likely value of a home that’s coming up for auction. Without doing this work, you’ll have no idea whether you’re about to snare a bargain or pay over the odds.
ON THE MONEY
It’s vital you have a pre-approved loan before bidding at any auction. If you’re successful, you’ll be expected to put down a deposit and proceed with the transaction. Failure to do so can lead to legal action.
SERIOUS INTENT
If you’re targeting a property, you should organise a building inspection before the auction to limit risk. Consider services like BeforeYouBid that turn around inspections quickly.
STRATEGY IS CRITICAL
Never wing it. Have a bidding strategy and spending limit, which should be determined by the amount a lender has pre-approved. Always stick to your strategy whether bidding is fast or furious or slow and cautious. If you don’t trust yourself, ask a friend or agent to bid for you.
FIRST-MOVER ADVANTAGE
If you’ve found your dream property, you should make an offer before it goes to auction. Occasionally, the owner will be happy to avoid the stress of auction day and accept if the price is right.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
You need to register to participate in an auction. So, turn up a few minutes early to do the paperwork and maybe chat with the agent about the degree of interest in the auction and the mood of the seller. All information is valuable!
NORTHERN BEACHES
Thinking of Buying Out of Area?
Batemans Bay (02) 4472 1488
Mollymook (02) 4455 6988
Berridale (02) 6456 3243
Guiding you home