You're not alone, and - in contrast to city markets that have fallen or are moving slower than usual - Southern Highlands real estate agents are suggesting COVID-19 may be heating up our property market.

"The market is hot, hot, hot for for acreage and rural properties," said Di Dixon from Belle Property.

"And Sydney people have $2.5-3 million to spend on what will be a either a permanent home or a weekender."

Meanwhile, people are lining up for only a sprinkling of rental properties, as nervous renters play it safe and stay put, while Sydney-siders working from home start to think outside the square.

Louise Schofield from Jacksonwall, Moss Vale said that on February 19 there were 169 vacant rental properties in the Southern Highlands and surrounds. By August 31, it was 56.

"That's quite a contraction." she said.

"In Moss Vale in particular it went from 50 to 9 available properties.

"I had a two-bedroom property available here for $490 per week, and I had 17 applications in a few days, which is very unusual."

She attributes the tightness of the market to both renters and landlords worried about job security and the economy, meaning people were less likely to move around.

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It was only due to Ms Schofield reaching out on social media to one desperate Mittagong apartment-dweller that the family now has a decent-sized home, illustrating how frustrating the experience is becoming for those trying to get a (literal) foot in the door.

Megan Kennedy took to a community Facebook page to beg for advice last month, saying she had applied for eight rentals over a year-long search, with no luck.

"Real estate (agents) have told me that there's nothing wrong with my application and that it's up to the owner to make the final decision," she wrote.

"My husband and I both work and are looking for a three-bedroom in Moss Vale to be closer to my mother as she looks after my two children, aged three years-old and nearly five month-old baby while we're at work.

"The issue is that so many people are applying for houses around here."

Ms Schofield stepped in and offered to get the couple pre-approved so that as soon as something came up, she could match them to it.

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"Looking all the time was really depressing," said Mrs Kennedy, who said that applying for rentals while working full-time while pregnant, then with a baby and a toddler, juggling documents and referrals, was exhausting.

"You put all that effort in - and for what?

"I just wanted to give my family the home they deserved."

Their happy ending isn't the case for everyone, though, and Ms Schofield suggested potential renters cultivate a good relationship with agents.

She also put a call out to landlords.

"We just need more rental properties," she said, "so if you've been thinking about it, now's the time."

Meanwhile, at the sales end, Ms Dixon expects the tree-change phenomenon to dominate the Southern Highlands market for the time being.

"The buyers want acreage while they can't travel, as no one knows when this will end," she said.

"They want to create that change of scenery right here."