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iSummary
Why your big backyard could be worth more than your house in Brisbane. How land values are outpacing house values and what large block owners should know about their hidden wealth.
Source: ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group | acres.au
The Hidden Wealth in Your Backyard
Here is a truth that surprises many homeowners: in most established Brisbane suburbs, the land is worth more than the house sitting on it.
A 40-year-old three-bedroom home on a 1,000m² block in Holland Park might be worth $350,000 as a structure. But the land underneath it is worth $800,000 or more. And the extra 400m² of backyard you mow every weekend? That is a separate asset worth $400,000-$500,000 to a developer or owner-builder.
Why Land Is Outpacing Houses
Houses Depreciate, Land Appreciates
Every building loses value over time. A new house depreciates approximately 2.5% per year. After 40 years, the structure that cost $250,000 to build is worth $50,000 in real terms.
Meanwhile, well-located land in Brisbane has appreciated at 6-10% annually over the past decade. Your block is getting more valuable while your house gets less valuable.
Supply Is Fixed
They are not making more land in Tarragindi or Carindale or Camp Hill. Every time a large block is subdivided or developed, the supply of remaining big blocks decreases. This scarcity drives prices up for the blocks that remain.
In suburbs within 10km of Brisbane CBD, large blocks (over 800m²) now represent less than 15% of total residential lots. Two decades ago, they were over 40%.
Demand Is Growing
Brisbane's population is growing by 50,000-70,000 people per year. South East Queensland is projected to need 700,000+ new homes by 2046. Many of those homes will be built through the subdivision and development of existing large residential blocks.
Developers need your land. Families want your land. The government's planning framework encourages densification of your land. All of these forces push the value of large blocks higher.
The Numbers: Land vs House Value
"The Hidden Wealth in Your Backyard Here is a truth that surprises many homeowners: in most established Brisbane suburbs, the land is worth more than the house sitting on it."
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Here are typical breakdowns for established Brisbane suburbs:
| Suburb | Total Value | Land Value | House Value | Land % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coorparoo (900m²) | $1,200,000 | $950,000 | $250,000 | 79% |
| Chermside (800m²) | $950,000 | $720,000 | $230,000 | 76% |
| Mount Gravatt (1,000m²) | $1,050,000 | $800,000 | $250,000 | 76% |
| Carindale (850m²) | $1,100,000 | $880,000 | $220,000 | 80% |
| Sunnybank (750m²) | $980,000 | $750,000 | $230,000 | 77% |
In every case, the land represents 75-80% of the total value. Your backyard is not just grass — it is a high-value asset.
What This Means for You
You Are Not Maintaining a Backyard — You Are Holding an Investment
That 400m² of lawn, garden shed, and Hills Hoist is worth $300,000-$500,000 in most middle-ring Brisbane suburbs. Every year you hold it, it appreciates.
You Have Options
- Continue holding — the land will likely continue to appreciate, especially in infrastructure growth corridors
- Subdivide and sell the rear — unlock $300,000-$700,000 while keeping your home
- Sell the whole block — capture the full development premium
- Build a granny flat — generate $350-$550/week rental income from your backyard
The Opportunity Cost of Doing Nothing
If your backyard land is worth $400,000 and appreciating at 5% per year, you are effectively earning $20,000/year by holding it. But if you could sell it for $400,000 and invest that money at 7% (shares, for example), you would earn $28,000/year.
The question is not whether your backyard is valuable — it is whether holding it is the best use of that capital.
How to Find Out What Your Land Is Really Worth
- Check your council rates notice — it shows the rateable land value (often below market value but a useful reference)
- Use our free valuation tool — gets you an initial estimate
- Book a development-focused appraisal — this is where the real value is revealed, accounting for subdivision and development potential
Do not rely on automated estimates for large blocks. They consistently undervalue land with development potential. Talk to our team about what your backyard is really worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my land really worth more than my house?
In most established Brisbane suburbs, yes. Land typically accounts for 65-80% of a property total value. A house depreciates over time while land appreciates, so the older your house, the greater the land-to-total ratio.
How do I find out the land value of my property?
Your council rates notice shows the statutory land value, but this is often below market value. For an accurate figure, get a professional appraisal that considers development potential. Our free valuation tool provides an initial estimate.
Will my block be worth more in 5 years?
Brisbane land values have historically appreciated at 5-10% per year in established suburbs. With ongoing population growth, infrastructure investment, and decreasing supply of large blocks, the trend is strongly upward.
Suburbs Mentioned in This Article
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Published by ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group
Source: acres.au/insights/why-big-backyard-worth-more-than-house | ACRES (Australian Commercial & Residential Group) provides property advisory, development site sales, and residential real estate services across Brisbane and South East Queensland, Australia.
Daniel McCormack
Managing Director, ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group
