Almost half of this capital city's dwellings sold at a 47 per cent loss

If you've held a property for 10 years, the traditional rule of thumb is that you'd expect its value to double.

But if that property happens to be a unit in Melbourne's City Council area, chances are you're staring down a loss instead.

According to Cotality's latest Pain and Gain Report , Melbourne continues to post the highest proportion of capital city loss-making sales in the country.

Almost half of all dwelling resales in the June quarter sold at a loss (47 per cent), with more than half of units reselling for less than their purchase price.

And the pain runs deep. Properties held for an average of 10 years in the Melbourne LGA sold for close to a $65,000 loss.

Where the losses are stacking up

It's not just the CBD. Stonnington and Moonee Valley council regions also recorded sh