The lull being experienced in the Australian property market will be short-lived as investors move to secure property and to take advantage of drop in property prices and interest rates, a Gold Coast property seminar has heard.

Speaking last week at Bendigo Bank's Spring Seminar on smart property investing, PRD Nationwide Surfers Paradise residential director Robert Sainsbury said he expected the residential market to become more competitive and controlled by buyers who had finance in place and were able to move forward.

"Where it becomes a buyer's market, as with any other, property values may fall slightly and a price fluctuation will be driven by those sellers who have a financial need or a strong desire to move on," he said.

"The volume of sales will increase as both first-home buyers and investors take advantage of the value that many of these properties will represent.

"Overall, residential property should still be viewed as a strong investment in the current conditions."

More than 40 new investors and building managers attended the seminar where they heard guest pseakers discuss the growth in the residential property market and where it may be headed in the coming 12 months.

Mr Sainsbury said that, traditionally, the property market had not seen vlolatile ups and downs and it had always been a relatively healthy area of investment.

"The property market had never fluctuated as much as the share market and, in reality, 18 months ago the interest rates were very similar but property prices were higher," he said.

"People should be looking to take advantage of incentives such as the Federal Government's increased first-home buyer grant and lower property prices.

"We are definitely seeing a steady increase in rental returns on the Gold Coast, averaging about 6% per annum.

"A 2 bedroom unit brings in on average $360 per week while a 4 bedroom house returns $400 per week, representing an excellent gateway to earn investment income.

"And with interest rates predicted to drop lower next year, investors are getting in before the markets take off and the same opportunities are no longer available."

The seminar was the first of a series which are to be held every quarter.