The Central Coast property market has been ranked among the hottest in Australia.
In a top-30 list of boom locations, the Coast ranked third.
CoreLogic data showed dwellings on the Coast rose by 32 per cent in the past year to a median value of $893,561.
The Coast was behind only Sydney's northern beaches [37 per cent rise] and the Southern Highlands/Shoalhaven area [32 per cent rise].
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie was ranked in 11th spot, with an annual rise of 28 per cent and a median dwelling value of $771,017.
The list covered areas with populations of 100,000 to 500,000 people.
CoreLogic research director Tim Lawless said the strongest housing markets "do show some common themes".
Mr Lawless said "coastal and lifestyle markets" were prominent factors in the top markets.
"The newfound popularity of flexible working arrangements probably has a lot to do with the strength in these areas," he said, adding that the barrier of long commutes was "no longer a major obstacle for many home buyers, as they more frequently work from home".
Major regional centres near the largest capitals - such as Newcastle, Illawarra and Geelong - were also strong markets, he said.
A beachfront property in Coral Crescent at Pearl Beach, on the southern end of the Central Coast, broke the region's property record in June when it sold for $8.6 million.
The Newcastle Herald reported last week that a property with ocean views in Lloyd Street, Merewether could break the $9 million barrier when it goes to auction on December 22.
Newcastle's property record was broken in September when Merewether's 44 Kilgour Avenue was sold for $8.7 million.
Other top sales on the Central Coast this year include three properties at North Avoca.
Among them was a beachfront property at 10 North Avoca Parade, which sold in July for $8.1 million. The same property sold in January 2017 for $2.8 million, realestate.com.au data shows.
Another $8.1 million sale in that suburb was also on the beachfront at 37 View Street. It previously sold for $2.1 million in May 2015, domain.com.au data shows.
CoreLogic data showed the top suburbs on the Coast for dwelling price rises in the past year were Copacabana [50 per cent], Pearl Beach [46 per cent], Davistown [44 per cent], Umina Beach [39 per cent] and Forresters Beach [38 per cent]. Long Jetty [26 per cent], The Entrance [25 per cent] and Umina Beach [23 per cent] recorded the biggest rises for units.
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