How Gen X has won the generational capital gains race
As we head into summer, sellers are continuing to enjoy strong capital gains.
The latest Cotality Home Value Index (HVI) indicates that not only are national home values still increasing, but the pace of this growth has also accelerated. The 1.1% national gain in October pushed the annual pace of growth to 6.1% nationally and is the fastest monthly gain since June 2023.
Most sellers will enjoy property growth to some degree. But I believe that Generation (Gen) X will benefit most from this.
In our newly released 2026 McGrath Report, we explore the rise of Gen X, as they emerge as the clear overall capital gains winner in the Australian generational real estate race. Born between 1965 and 1979 – and therefore, now aged 46- 60 – Gen X also has the largest housing portfolio of any generation.
This is particularly impressive given that Gen X is often called the “sandwich generation” –thanks to their increasingly common position of looking after senior parents, who are living longer, while their children are not leaving home either.
There are several reasons why Gen X home owners are enjoying such an excellent property position. One of these is that unlike Millennials – those now aged 29-44 – Gen Xers were able to purchase property at affordable prices.
According to Cotality, a GenXer who purchased a property when they were 25, or in 1997, could have bought for a median of $126,728. Such extraordinary prices – at least by today’s standards – continued for most of the 1990s, effectively enabling Gen Xers to purchase an average property for six times the average annual income. In comparison, by the late 2000s, Millennials were facing a ten times ratio which crippled their home ownership aspirations– and continues to do so today.
Gen Xers also not only missed Australia’s highest cash rate on record in January 1990 but benefited from falling interest rates during the mid-1990s. And, prices turned in their favour again from the early 2000s.
As a result, Cotality research shows Gen X home buyers who bought at 25 have today collected a very tidy $528,182 capital gain, thanks to that property being worth a $654,910 median in mid-2025. This is higher than the $405,472 capital gain earned by a 25-year-old Millennial, buying in 2013, and the $456,243 earned by a 25-year-old Baby Boomer purchasing in 1980.
Gen Xers will also be the first generation to benefit from mandatory superannuation when they retire. And, Millennials aren’t the only ones to potentially benefit from the Bank of Mum and Dad either. Gen Xers are predicted to benefit from an increasing inheritance windfall, which is set to rise from a current $120 billion annual figure to $500 billion per annum nationwide over the next 25 years.
Cotality’s HVI report this month shows tight advertised supply levels and above average demand levels continues to skew conditions towards sellers. And, while they have eased a little, auction clearance rates have also held above the decade average — in the high 60% to low 70% range since the start of Spring.
John McGrath CEO & FOUNDER
“We are so glad we chose Josh to sell our house. He made the process so easy for us with very clear and concise communications at each step. Josh was very calm and considerate throughout the sale and understood exactly what we wanted and needed. We had a number of obstacles along the way and it was a tough time to be selling, Josh cut through all of the issues we faced with ease and delivered an outcome that we couldn’t be happier with. We wouldn’t hesitate to work with Josh again in the future.”
As a leading real estate agent for the past 14 years, Director of McGrath Central West, Josh Fitzgerald has carved a respected name for himself in the industry. A highly skilled professional who has transacted countless sales, Josh is known for his in-depth knowledge and fantastic history of results. His hardworking attitude and clean business approach have made him the go-to agent in the area. Specialising in a demographic that is close to his own ensures Josh knows exactly how to assist his clients in their property journey. He was attracted to the idea of opening a McGrath agency due to the brand’s high class reputation and solid core values. As the head three dedicated offices in Orange, Molong and Bathurst, and a lifelong Central West resident, Josh prides himself on leading by example and involving himself within the local community as a member of several organisations and sporting clubs. If you would like further information on the local market, contact Josh Fitzgerald and his team today.
Josh Fitzgerald
0414 304 898
joshfitzgerald@mcgrath.com.au
BATHURST
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
SALE
Price Guide $5,500,000-$6,000,000
View By Appointment
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099 565 Nyes Gate Road, Millthorpe
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500 432 Cargo Road, Orange
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
SALE
Price Guide $3,300,000
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team
SALE
Price Guide $2,200,000 - $2,300,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide $2,300,000
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Price Guide On Request View Saturday 1.00pm - 1.30pm
Agent Tori White 0422 424 601
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500 30 Kite Street, Orange
SALE
Price Guide $2,400,000 - $2,500,000 View By Appointment
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Rachel Smith 0499 820 763
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
19 Wallace Lane, Orange 5 beds 3 baths 6 cars
SALE
Price Guide $2,100,000-$2,300,000
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
93 March Street, Orange 5 beds 2 baths 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $1,950,000 - $2,000,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
SALE
Price Guide $1,650,000-$1,800,000
View Saturday 12.55pm - 1.25pm
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
318
SALE
Price Guide $2,250,000-$2,450,000
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
74 March Street, Orange 3 beds 2 baths 1 car
AUCTION Thursday 20 Nov 12.00pm
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 10.45am - 11.15am
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
13 Kite Street, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 1 car
AUCTION Thursday 20 November 2.00pm
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide $1,950,000 - $2,050,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Rachel Smith 0499 820 763
140 Guyong Road, Blayney 4 beds 3 baths 3 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
22 Connemara Drive, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,700,000-$1,800,000
View Saturday 12.45pm - 1.15pm
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
1
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
AUCTION Thursday 20 November 11.00am
Price Guide $1,300,000 - $1,400,000
View Saturday 2.00pm - 2.30pm
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
Team Fitzgerald 15
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide $1,400,000-$1,450,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide $1,390,000-$1,430,000
View Saturday 11.15am - 11.45am
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide $1,350,000 - $1,390,000
View Saturday 11.15am - 11.45am
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald 156a
Price Guide $1,250,000-$1,300,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide $1,250,000 - $1,350,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
358
SALE
Price Guide $1,100,000
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500 3 Clontarf Close, Orange
7
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
3 Hamer Street, Orange 3 beds 2 baths 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $990,000 - $1,080,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
SALE
Price Guide $1,180,000-$1,240,000
View Saturday 11.15am - 11.45am
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500 35A
Price Guide $960,000-$975,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825 3 Eliza Place,
SALE
Price Guide $960,000 - $990,000
View Saturday 11.45am - 12.15pm
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
2 Lady Peel Close, Orange 4 beds 3 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,000,000-$1,050,000
View Saturday 11.30am - 12.00pm
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825 1 - 28 Clontarf
via Ploughmans
beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Belgravia Road, Orange
Clontarf Close, Orange
Larela Circuit, Orange
Orange
Close,
Lane, Orange
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
1 Hamer Street, Orange
3 beds 1 bath 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $950,000-$1,000,000
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
21 Roselawn Drive, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $899,000
View Saturday 9.15am - 9.45am
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Rachel Smith 0499 820 763
2 McCarthy Place, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $800,000-$830,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Rachel Smith 0499 820 763
Burrendong Way, Orange
SALE
Price Guide $850,000
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
143 Hill Street, Orange 3 beds 2 baths 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $800,000 - $850,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Team Fitzgerald
4 Geraldton Street, Orange
4 beds 2 baths 6 cars
SALE
Price Guide $850,000
View Saturday 10.45am - 11.15am
Agent Tori White 0422 424 601
7 Saran Place, Orange 5 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $900,000 - $950,000
View Saturday 10.45am - 11.15am
Agent Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
16 Greerlyn Way, Orange 5 beds 2 baths 3 cars
SALE
Price Guide $800,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
147 Edward Street, Orange 3 beds 1 bath 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $750,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Team Fitzgerald
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
149 Edward Street, Orange 3 beds 1 bath 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $750,000 View By Appointment
Agent Team Fitzgerald
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
21 Molloy Drive, Orange 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $770,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Tori White 0422 424 601
SALE
Price Guide $650,000 - $ 680,000
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
11/2 Sale Street, Orange 2 beds 1 bath 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $520,000 - $550,000
View Saturday 10.45am - 11.15am
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Rachel Smith 0499 820 763
SALE
Price Guide $630,000 - $660,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
12/2 Sale Street, Orange
2 beds 1 bath 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $500,000 - $530,000
View Saturday 10.45am - 11.15am
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Rachel Smith 0499 820 763
5/66-70 March Street, Orange 3 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $750,000 - $800,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
174 Shiralee Road, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $600,000-$650,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
50 Ferguson Street, Canowindra 2 beds 1 bath
SALE
Price Guide $550,000
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
62B Centennial Crescent, Orange Land
62A Centennial Crescent, Orange Land
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
15 Mountain Vista, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $530,000-$540,000 View By Appointment
Agent Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
27 Park Street, Millthorpe 2 beds 1 bath 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $450,000 View By Appointment
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Tori White 0422 424 601
Shiralee Estate, Tanika Street, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $295,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
3 Hilldale Crescent, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $480,000 - $520,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
19 Camellia Place, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $430,000 View By Appointment
Agent Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Lot 49, Joseph Street, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $299,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
6/1 Bletchington Street, Orange 2 beds 1 bath 1 car
SALE
Price Guide $460,000 - $480,000 View Saturday 9.15am - 9.45am
Agent Tori White 0422 424 601
8 Mallard Way, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $355,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Team Fitzgerald
Lot 118, Whitebox Street, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $320,000 View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
Lot 121, Whitebox Street, Orange Land
SALE
Price Guide $320,000
View By Appointment
Agent Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
Jack Aumuller 0481 985 825
39 Thistle Street, Molong 4 beds 2 baths 4 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,050,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jodi Murray 0428 461 910
5 Riddell Street, Molong
4 beds 3 baths 8 cars
SALE
Price Guide $720,000-$760,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jodi Murray 0428 461 910
Three Rivers Road, Molong
AUCTION Thursday 27 November 11.00am
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
97-99 Kiewa Street, Manildra 9 beds 4 baths 4 cars
SALE
Price Guide $790,000-$830,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jodi Murray 0428 461 910
54 Kinghorn Street, Neurea
4 beds 3 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $675,000-$700,000
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
502 Banjo Paterson Way, Molong 5 beds 3 baths 3 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,350,000 - $1,450,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Jodi Murray 0428 461 910
Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
9 McArdle Street, Molong 5 beds 3 baths 3 cars
SALE
Price Guide $850,000
View By Appointment
Agent Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
93 Gidley Street, Molong 3 beds 2 baths 3 cars
SALE
Price Guide $650,000 - $695,000
View By Appointment
Agent Jodi Murray 0428 461 910
Orange | Molong | Bathurst
172 Hill Street, Molong 2 beds 1 bath 3 cars
SALE
Price Guide $500,000 -$550,000 View By Appointment
Agent Jodi Murray 0428 461 910
808 White Rock Road, White Rock
7 beds 3 baths 6 cars
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Todd Houghton 0415 505 555
Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
7-9 Robson Road,
SALE
Price Guide $150,000 View By Appointment
Agent Todd Houghton 0415 505 555
39 Queen Street, Molong
SALE
Price Guide $450,000 - $490,000 View By Appointment
Agent Lauren Jones 0439 620 500
Scott Petersen 0408 583 099
153 Triangle Flat Road, Rockley 5 beds 1 bath 9 cars
SALE
Price Guide $1,150,000 View By Appointment
Agent Todd Houghton 0415 505 555
3-5 Robson Road, Mount David
SALE
Price Guide $150,000 View By Appointment
Agent Todd Houghton 0415 505 555
7 Keppel Street, Bathurst
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Todd Houghton 0415 505 555
Josh Fitzgerald 0414304898
29 Amber Close, Kelso 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
SALE
Price Guide $740,000-$760,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Todd Houghton 0415 505 555
Mount David
Orange 02 7903 0753
Bathurst 02 6331 5555
Molong 02 6311 1534
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