Capital Cities Face a Shifting Housing Landscape

0

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

This new data also highlights a considerable increase in the number of homes being listed for sale in both Sydney and Melbourne. Listings in Sydney alone rose by 6.7% compared to the same period last year, while Melbourne saw a more modest increase of 1.1%.

Eliza Owen from CoreLogic attributes this shift to changing market dynamics. "This time of the year is typically slow in terms of demand, but this goes beyond seasonality," she explains. According to Owen, the increase in listings and the apparent lack of eager buyers may be early indicators of growing mortgage stress among homeowners.

Owen suggests, "There’s less appetite from buyers, but more sellers are coming into the market, which could indicate rising mortgage stress." This sentiment is echoed by Cate Bakos, a buyer's agent in Melbourne, who believes, "Prices can’t be expected to grow while we have higher stock levels and weaker buyer demand."

Interestingly, Brisbane and Perth have reported a deceleration in dwelling value growth, maintaining a rate of just 0.3% over the past four weeks. Such trends suggest a potential buyers’ market, particularly in Brisbane, where supply has surged and demand has slowed, according to Zoran Solano of Hot Property Buyers Agency. "For me as a buyer’s agent, it’s a positive sign that the power has shifted back a little bit towards buyers," she observes.

Further analysis from The Australian Financial Review indicates that property values in Brisbane are declining in one out of seven suburbs, the highest rate in almost two years. CoreLogic’s Tim Lawless sees this as a sign that prices may continue to ease due to increased listings, reduced interstate migration, and affordability challenges. "The market is likely to continue to ease, and we could see prices moving into a subtle decline before interest rates come down," he remarks.

AMP chief economist Shane Oliver predicts a similar trend, highlighting Brisbane as a market where values might soon turn negative, following the pattern seen in Sydney and Melbourne. "Brisbane looks to me like a really soggy market and I wouldn’t be surprised if house prices go negative in the next couple of months," Oliver comments.

Oliver also suggests that potential interest rate cuts could reverse this downward trajectory. "A rate cut could turn that downward momentum around, so if it occurs in February it has the potential to head off a dip into negative territory for Brisbane prices," he explains, warning that delays in rate cuts might extend the price downturn.

Meanwhile, PropTrack notes an 80% spike in Brisbane home values since the pandemic’s onset in March 2020, which has positioned Brisbane as Australia’s second most expensive housing market by median value. However, rising prices, slowing migration, and worsening affordability may soon turn Brisbane into the latest domino to fall in the nation’s housing saga.

Published:Tuesday, 28th Jan 2025
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

CBA Highlights Pivotal Moment for Australian Economy

08 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori

Commonwealth Bank (CBA) economists have recently highlighted that Australia's economy is approaching a critical juncture as it heads into 2026. Their latest report outlines various domestic and international scenarios that could significantly alter the nation's economic trajectory. - read more

Australia's GDP Growth Surpasses Expectations in June Quarter

08 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has reported a 0.6% increase in the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the June quarter, marking a 1.8% rise compared to the same period last year. This growth exceeded many economists' expectations and highlights the resilience of the Australian economy amidst global uncertainties. - read more

Deloitte Reports Decline in Business Investment Amid Economic Uncertainty

08 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori

According to Deloitte Access Economics' latest Investment Monitor report, the outlook for business investment in Australia has deteriorated over the past year. The economic slowdown has adversely affected business revenues, particularly in sectors reliant on discretionary consumer spending, such as hospitality and retail. - read more

Isuzu Australia Unveils Dedicated Financial Services for Truck Buyers

07 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori

In a strategic move to bolster its customer support offerings, Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) has announced the establishment of Isuzu Financial Services Australia (IFSA). This initiative marks the first time the Isuzu Group has founded a leasing company outside Japan, reflecting a significant commitment to the Australian market. - read more

Australian Truck Market Experiences Sales Dip as Supply Chains Stabilise

07 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian truck and van market experienced a notable slowdown in September 2025, with new sales figures indicating a 14.7% decrease compared to the same month in 2024. According to the latest data from the Truck Industry Council (TIC), 3,878 new trucks and vans were sold in September, extending the softer trend observed throughout the year. - read more

Click for more Finance News