Australia’s Spring Market: Where Buyers Can Win Despite Tight Supply
Spring’s arrival brings mixed news for home seekers. Major cities like Sydney and Melbourne remain tight on stock, making these markets competitive. In Sydney, for example, listings have actually climbed year-on-year, which has eased prices and given buyers more negotiating power. By contrast, some regional markets have far fewer homes on offer than a year ago, so any new listing there can trigger a bidding rush. As buyer’s agents, we advise watching market supply closely: if a suburb’s inventory is rising, it can be a strong negotiating chance, whereas low-stock pockets (often outer suburbs) will see stiff competition.
- Tight Supply Means Competition. Cities with known shortages become “sellers’ markets.” Buyers should act fast in these areas. We’ve seen Sydney become more of a buyers’ market thanks to rising listings, but this trend can reverse. In places like Adelaide and Brisbane, stock is still limited, meaning buyers need savvy strategies (and a bit of luck) to stand out.
- Rising Listings = Leverage. In suburbs where listings are up (for example, parts of inner Sydney), buyers often can negotiate harder and even secure price reductions. Keep an eye out for these pockets – they may not be glamorous, but they offer room to bargain.
- Investor Activity Hotspots. Investor demand is rebounding in many states. Brisbane is a prime example: major infrastructure and the 2032 Olympics boom sent Brisbane prices up ~50% in recent years.
Avoid Oversupply Traps: Not all opportunities are equal. Some inner-city suburbs, especially in Melbourne, are now oversupplied with apartments and older homes. These “danger zones” have seen price drops as supply swamps demand. We recommend clients stick to quality stock: boutique, well-built apartment blocks or established dwellings in stable locations tend to hold value better. In practice, that means avoiding new high-rise towers in CBD fringes and seeking out proven neighbourhoods.
Timing & Finance Strategies: The late-December period (roughly Dec 13–25) often offers a window of lower competition as many buyers take a break before Christmas. This can be a golden opportunity if you’re ready. Make sure your finances are in order, obtain pre-approval early and set realistic borrowing limits. Lenders can be slower during the holidays, so plan ahead.
- Opportunities for First-Home Buyers and Investors: First-time homebuyers are progressively preferring to purchase boutique developments or established apartments (good location, nice finishes), and not the raw off-the-plan towers. For yield-driven investors, some affordable micro-apartments in growth corridors are still achieving strong yields, but always run the numbers first. Look for suburbs where investor owners are ready to exit – these can become bargains, as well as outlying areas seeing fresh waves of demand.
- Key Takeaways: Pay attention to where listings are tight or rising; that tells you where competition and power lie. Stay clear of known oversupply areas (e.g. inner Melbourne units). Get finance sorted early. Time your purchase (the mid-December lull can help). And focus on quality stock in neighbourhoods backed by long-term demand, not just short-term hype.
For personalised advice on navigating this spring market, contact Buyer Insight. Call us on 61 468 444 478 or book a free consultation today. We’ll help you find the right opportunity and strategy in Australia’s evolving property market.
