Mermaid Beach remains sought after for its premium coastal lifestyle, proximity to top schools and cafes, and the limited new supply east of the highway that keeps competition tight among families, investors and lifestyle buyers. Light Rail Stage 3 due mid-2026 is being priced in as a growth lever, even as tight rental stock and premium entry points highlighted by Hedges Avenue’s $11.1 million median make the suburb sensitive to rate shifts and tourism cycles. The house median stays near $3.35 million with roughly 5% annual growth, so the last six months have broadly held steady with modest upward pressure rather than sharp swings.