“People are drawn to the Central Coast for two things — affordability and lifestyle.”
– Matt Sharp
Australia’s Central Coast has transformed from a weekend escape into a thriving property hotspot. But beneath the coastal calm lies a complex, competitive market — one that only locals truly understand.
In this episode of Street Secrets, Chris Bates chats with Matt Sharp, Founder and Director of Sharp Property Buyers, to uncover what’s really happening on the Coast.
A Central Coast local, QPIA award-winning buyer’s agent, and REBAA committee member, Matt explains how COVID, hybrid work, and infrastructure shifts have changed the game for homeowners and investors alike.
They discuss the Coast’s biggest buying traps — from flood zones and steep blocks to “dark pocket” suburbs — and why strong agent relationships and local knowledge still make or break a deal.
Whether you’re chasing lifestyle, yield, or long-term growth, this episode breaks down what makes the Central Coast tick — and how to invest smarter in regional markets.
00:00 – Introduction
02:01 – From Telstra to Buyer’s Agent: Matt’s Career Shift
03:27 – Building a Business in a Regional Market
04:31 – How COVID Boosted the Central Coast Property Boom
06:07 – Affordability and Lifestyle: The Coast’s Twin Engines
08:12 – Local Traps: What to Know Before You Buy
11:38 – Family Life, Schools, and Gentrification on the Coast
13:46 – Investment Insights from a True Local
25:54 – Relationships That Power Success
31:13 – The Future of Buying on the Central Coast
Matt Sharp, Founder and Director of Sharp Property Buyers, brings over a decade of hands-on property experience and an unmatched understanding of the Central Coast. Raised in the region, Matt has helped countless clients buy homes and investments both locally and across Australia. His deep local insight and practical approach have earned him a reputation as one of the most trusted buyer’s agents on the Coast.
He holds real estate licences in multiple states and is recognised as a Qualified Property Investment Adviser (QPIA), a member of the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA), and a committee member of the Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA). In 2025, he was named QPIA of the Year Buyer’s Agent (Borderless) at the PIPA Awards for Excellence — a recognition of his commitment to strategic, ethical, and client-first property advice. Matt continues to help buyers invest with confidence, combining data-driven strategy with genuine local expertise.
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