July 2026
National values ease as the market shifts towards buyers
Australia’s housing market cooled noticeably in June. Cotality’s national Home Value Index fell 0.4 per cent over the month, the largest monthly decline since December 2022.
Small changes buyers notice first
Most buyers decide how they feel about a home within minutes, and small details carry surprising weight. Fresh paint, a tidy garden and clean windows all signal a home that has been cared for.
Why some homes sell faster
Two homes on similar streets, listed in the same month, in the same market. One sells in three weeks. The other is still waiting three months later.
Client feedback
What our clients say.
National values ease as the market shifts towards buyers
Australia’s housing market cooled noticeably in June. Cotality’s national Home Value Index fell 0.4 per cent over the month, the largest monthly decline since December 2022.
National values now sit 0.7 per cent below their March peak, although they remain 7.3 per cent higher than a year ago. In other words, the market has changed direction, but it has done so from a high base.
The slowdown is not uniform. Sydney led the declines with a 1.2 per cent monthly fall, taking its quarterly result to minus 3.2 per cent. Melbourne fell 1.0 per cent for the month and 2.6 per cent for the quarter, while Canberra eased 0.6 per cent.
The mid-sized capitals are still growing, but the pace has slowed sharply. Perth rose 0.7 per cent in June and Brisbane 0.3 per cent, well down from the average monthly gains of 2.5 per cent and 1.9 per cent they recorded through the March quarter. Adelaide was flat, Hobart added 0.6 per cent, and Darwin remained the strongest capital with a 1.4 per cent rise.
Strength in country markets
Regional markets continue to outperform the capitals. The combined regional index rose 0.3 per cent in June and 1.1 per cent over the quarter, with Regional WA the standout at 3.7 per cent quarterly growth. Regional Victoria and regional NSW were broadly flat.
Activity has softened alongside values. Auction clearance rates across the combined capitals have held below 50 per cent since late May, and capital city sales over the three months to June were around 16 per cent lower than the same period last year. Advertised stock is close to average levels but about 11 per cent higher than a year ago, largely because homes are taking longer to sell rather than because more owners are listing.
Consumer sentiment weaker
Several forces are at work. The Reserve Bank held the cash rate at 4.35 per cent in June after earlier increases, cost-of-living pressures remain elevated, consumer sentiment fell again, and changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax settings are demonstrably softening investor demand.
Presentation and price sensitivity
For homeowners considering selling, realistic pricing and careful presentation matter more than they have in several years. Buyers have more choice and less urgency, so the homes attracting genuine interest are those priced on current evidence, not last year’s results.
For owners holding or renovating, one soft month sits within a much longer story of growth. National values remain roughly a third higher than five years ago, and improvements made now will position a home well when conditions firm.
For first home buyers, the shift is genuinely encouraging. More stock, longer selling times and softer auction results mean better negotiating conditions for those with secure employment and finance in place. Affordability is still stretched, but the balance has moved a little in buyers’ favour.
If you would like to know how these national trends are playing out on your street, let’s have a chat.
Monthly Change in Capital City Values
MONTHLY ANNUAL
Sydney -1.2 % +0.3 %
Melbourne -1.0 % -0.9 %
Brisbane +0.3 % +17.4 %
Adelaide 0.0 % +11.6 %
Perth +0.7 % +23.9 %
Hobart +0.6 % +9.3 %
Darwin +1.4 % +19.8 %
Canberra -0.6 % +2.9 %
National -0.4 % +7.3 %
Small changes buyers notice first
First impressions are formed before a buyer even steps inside.
Most buyers decide how they feel about a home within minutes, and small details carry surprising weight. Fresh paint, a tidy garden and clean windows all signal a home that has been cared for. Worn fittings and cluttered rooms make buyers wonder what else might need attention.
The encouraging news is that the improvements buyers notice first are rarely the expensive ones. In a market where buyers have more choice, a weekend of honest effort often does more for a first impression than a costly renovation ever could. The goal is simple: remove every small reason for a buyer to hesitate. Where to start:
- Refresh the entrance with a clean front door, clear house numbers and healthy plants
- Declutter every room so that light and space do the talking
- Fix the small things, such as dripping taps, squeaky doors and chipped paint
None of this needs a big budget. It needs you to see your home the way a buyer will.
If a stranger walked through your front door tomorrow, what would they notice first?
Why some homes sell faster
Two homes on similar streets, listed in the same month, in the same market. One sells in three weeks. The other is still waiting three months later. Most sellers put the difference down to luck. It rarely is. The homes that sell quickly tend to get a handful of things right from the very start.
Pricing on evidence, not hope
The single biggest factor is how closely the asking price matches what buyers are actually paying right now. When a home is priced on recent, comparable local sales, buyers recognise the value and act. When it is priced on last year’s results, or on what the owner hopes to achieve, buyers quietly move on to the next listing. In the current market this effect is amplified. Auction clearance rates have fallen and stock levels have risen, which means buyers have more choice and far less urgency. A realistic price is not a compromise. It is what brings serious buyers through the door.
First impressions now happen online
Almost every buyer will see a home on a screen before they see it in person. Homes that sell quickly tend to share the same traits online:
- Photography taken when the home is clean, uncluttered and well lit
- A listing description that is honest and specific rather than padded with clichés
- A floor plan, because serious buyers want to understand how the spaces connect
If the online presentation does not earn an inspection, nothing else in the campaign gets the chance to work.
Presentation removes doubt Buyers pay for confidence. A well-presented home lets people picture themselves living in it, while visible maintenance issues plant doubts that grow larger than the actual cost of the repair. A dripping tap costs little tofix, but in a buyer’s mind it can suggest a home that has not been looked after.
Momentum matters
A property attracts its greatest attention in the first two to three weeks of a campaign. Homes that generate inspections and offers early carry that energy through to a result. Homes that sit begin to attract a different question from buyers: why has nobody bought it yet? Getting the price, presentation and marketing right before launch is far more effective than correcting course afterwards.
Why it matters for homeowners
Time on market is more than an inconvenience. Listings that linger tend to attract lower offers, because buyers factor the waiting time into their negotiations. In a market where selling times are already stretching, getting the first few weeks right protects both your timeline and your eventual result. The sellers doing well in this market are not the lucky ones. They are the prepared ones.
Do this next
Discuss the full marketing plan before you commit, including photography, launch timing and how buyer feedback will be shared with you
Ask a local agent for a free appraisal grounded in sales from the past three months, not the past year
Walk through your home as a buyer would, from the street to the back fence, and write down everything that needs attention
We put you first
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Reece’s knowledge of the market and advice was exceptional, he was always very responsive and nothing was ever to much trouble. Reece was determined to get the best possible outcome and delivered! – Vendor
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Isabella was great to work with. Very knowledgeable about the area and she was always very responsive to our questions. Her advice was spot on. She really helped us make huge decisions and feel confident we were doing the right thing. I’m very happy with the result in an uncertain market. Thanks Isabella. Very much appreciated – Vendor
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We recently bought our first home with Nanette, and we honestly couldn’t have asked for a better agent. She was knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely cared about helping us find the right place. Her communication was amazing, and she made the whole process feel easy and positive. We absolutely think the world of her and would recommend her to anyone. – Purchaser
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Working with FN Bowral was a smooth and well-managed process. Communication was consistent and practical throughout. We were kept updated at each stage, with clear explanations around progress and next steps. Their transparency and organised approach ensured that key issues were identified early and dealt with promptly, helping the transaction stay on track.
Our experience with FN Bowral was positive, and they managed the office sale competently and with clear communication. – Vendor
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