Brisbane-based RP research director Tim Lawless recently told the Daily Mercury he was happy with his Moranbah investment property purchases even though the town posted the worst nationwide decline in housing prices over the past 12 months.

"There were no surprises, there had been a significant run-up in prices for years ... it has been falling since 2012," he reportedly said.

"Buying into a town that is singularly reliant on the coal sector, you have to expect booms and busts."

According to RP’s research, Moranbah had a 40% fall in the median house price over the past year.

“About 70% of properties are owned by investors in Moranbah," Lawless told the newspaper.

"Mining companies and servicing companies are not willing to pay the high prices to accommodate workers like they once were. They were dictating the prices for a long time."

While he is reportedly confident the market will turn around, even if it takes a very long time for “exorbitant” prices to return, Lawless evidently bought his Moranbah investments a while ago and said they were still going very well.

"If I had a crystal ball I might have sold at the end of 2011 but I am confident I can weather the storm," Lawless told the newspaper.