“There were records set in almost every suburb last year,” Nowra Ray White salesman Glenn Brandon said.

A limited supply of land coupled with Princes Highway upgrades has made for the perfect storm for property values.

Every suburb in the Shoalhaven experienced growth.

The most significant market growth took place in Berry.

The median house price in Berry broke the million dollar mark in 2017, rising from $920,000 to $1,185,000 in a year.

South Nowra, Sussex Inlet and Callala Bay also performed well.

House prices in South Nowra rose by $117,000 to $559,000, in Sussex rose by $92,000 to $509,000 and in Callala Bay rose by $90,000 to $590,000.

More first home buyers were lured into the market from June, when the NSW government introduced stamp duty cuts for first home buyers.

“Stamp duty concessions have certainly helped, there are more first home buyers looking to buy existing dwellings,” Mr Brandon said.

Local buyers have been competing with Sydney and Wollongong-based buyers more frequently than before.

“We’ve had more people move from out of town than a decade ago,” Mr Brandon said.

“It’s because of the ease of access to the area, and the price growth in Sydney.

“Retirees can sell up in Sydney, get a great home, and live a good lifestyle in the Shoalhaven.”

North Nowra

2016: 410,000

2017: 490,000

Shoalhaven Heads

2016: 565,000

2017: 607,000

Bomaderry

2016: 394,000

2017: 460,000

Nowra

2016: 365,000

2017: 430,000

Culburra Beach

2016: 500,000

2017: 560,000

Callala Bay

2016: 500,000

2017: 590,000

Vincentia

2016: 652,000

2017: 682,000

Sanctuary Point

2016: 365,000

2017: 411,000

Worrigee

2016: 449,000

2017: 500,000

Kangaroo Valley

2016: 770,000

2017: 800,000

Berry

2016: 920,000

2017: 1,185,000

Sussex Inlet

2016: 417,500

2017: 509,000