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The recent byelection in Secret Harbour appears to have had a positive effect on house prices in the suburb, with new data showing the area recorded a 2.8 per cent jump in median house values over the past month.
Nestled between Rockingham and Mandurah along the coast south of Perth, Secret Harbour house values hit the magical $1 million value in August according to the latest data from the Real Estate Institute of WA.
The electorate made headlines around the state following the resignation of former WA government cabinet member Paul Papalia when the seat became the centre of a hotly contested byelection to name a new MP.
Those headlines went nationwide after One Nation candidate Luke Herdegen made history after winning the seat and claiming the party’s first-ever spot in WA’s Legislative Assembly.
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The latest REIWA figures for August show five suburbs saw the greatest median house sale price growth over the past month.
Hamilton Hill led the way with a 3.3 per cent increase to $1.033 million, followed by Greenwood (up 3.2 per cent to $1,146,750), Scarborough (up 2.9 per cent to $1,550,000), East Cannington (up 2.8 per cent to $902,500) and Secret Harbour (up 2.8 per cent to $1,000,000).
Doubleview, Mandurah, Waikiki, Spearwood and Bassendean were also among the top performers, recording growth of 1.9 per cent or more over the month.
Opal Realty director of sales Melissa Foggin, whose agency is based in Secret Harbour, said while the recent byelection had certainly raised the profile of the suburb, there were still opportunities for buyers in the area.
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“It’s a very nice suburb, but there’s still an entry price point for first home-buyers in Secret Harbor,” she said.
“I think (the byelection) certainly put a spotlight on Secret Harbor and surrounding suburbs, both statewide and nationally.
“We’re seeing a few of them come to market now, which is really nice. I have kids who’ve just entered the market, and it’s quite refreshing actually.
“It’s got a nice mix of entry point, then the next level for your first family home, and then however much you want to upgrade, whether you want to go really flash or just get that bigger block and the bigger home with the pool closer to the beach.”
However, Foggin added that the election promise of the Karnup train station would add to the appeal of the area.
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“I think it will help once it’s firmed up and starting to be built because we’ve had a promise for a very long time,” she said.
“It would be nice to have a train station because there’s nothing between Warnboro and Lakelands there.
“It would be nice to have something for the workers and even just wanting to hop on a train and head up to the footy or a concert.”
The latest data also showed an increase in the number of listings in the metropolitan area, with the number of Perth properties advertised for sale hitting 7335 at the end of August, 7.8 per cent higher than July and 146.1 per cent higher than at the end of August 2025.
REIWA president Suzanne Brown said the rise in active listings was a result of an easing of demand and the increase in the time taken to sell a property.
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“As we know, the heat has well and truly come out of the market and the increase in active listings represents an easing in demand, which has led to a decline in sales activity,” she said.
“This has been created by a number of factors.
“Three interest rate rises have affected borrowing power and mortgage serviceability. Buyers are understandably being prudent with their spending.”
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Michael Philipps is a producer and reporter with WAtoday.AdvertisementAdvertisement