Buyer engagement remains strong. Ray White recorded 6.99 million online users, up 37.07 per cent year-on-year, alongside 46,790 online enquiries, an increase of 6.83 per cent. This is not casual browsing; it reflects genuine intent from buyers who are increasingly prepared to act.
FINANCE CONDITIONS ARE SUPPORTING MOMENTUM
Interest rates have eased significantly over the past year and are now near cyclical lows. In response, buyers are becoming more strategic in how they structure lending.
Shorter fixed terms and flexible loan structures are gaining favour as borrowers balance certainty with optionality. First home buyers continue to be a key driver of demand, supported by improved serviceability and recent loan-to-value adjustments. At the same time, refinancing activity remains elevated as households reassess borrowing arrangements in a more competitive lending environment.
Together, these dynamics are improving buyer preparedness and supporting smoother transactions across the market.
WHAT THIS MEANS RIGHT NOW
Sellers:
Buyer depth is improving, but selectivity remains. Homes that are well-presented, well-located and priced with clarity are attracting decisive competition. As supply begins to tighten in some areas, early movers are well positioned.
Buyers:
Choice remains, and affordability has improved. Buyers who are organised, pre-approved and informed, are finding opportunities in a market that rewards preparation rather than haste.
Across the country, activity is lifting as confidence filters through open homes, auctions and digital platforms. While conditions vary locally, the national picture is becoming clearer: decisiveness is returning, and the market is operating on firmer ground.
LOOKING AHEAD
With the OCR steady and inflation expected to continue easing through the first half of the year, the focus now shifts from policy to participation. The coming months will be shaped less by interest rate speculation and more by how buyers and sellers respond to improving certainty.
The market has moved beyond recovery mode and into a phase where informed decisions matter most.
For tailored advice on navigating these conditions, connect with your local Ray White team.
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