Episode 123: Spring Market Signals

Spring is meant to feel hopeful, but spring 2026 in the Australian property market is shaping up as a season where small signals could have big consequences. Ciaran O’Brien sits down with Peter O'Malley to map out what we’re watching as Sydney real estate comes off a strange first half of the year, recorded just before the RBA’s August rate decision. Rather than guessing where prices “must” go, we focus on practical signposts that help you read the market week by week.  We start with interest rates, because even the suggestion of another hike can hit households hard when budgets are already under pressure. From there we talk unemployment risk and why it matters to anyone carrying debt, including the quieter impact of businesses streamlining operations with AI. Then we get into the market metrics that shape buyer and seller psychology: days on market, stock levels, and the auction clearance rate, including why the headline number isn’t always the whole story and what it means if clearance rates slide into the 20s or teens.  To finish, we get tactical. Peter shares vendor advice that can save you from a nasty chain reaction: don’t buy before you sell if the purchase depends on sale proceeds. We also cover the rental market as a potential safety valve, buyer strategy focused on quality rather than “bargains”, and a timely reminder that a too-good-to-be-true price can hide problems like dysfunctional strata. If you’re planning to buy or sell in Australia this spring, this is a grounded guide to risk, timing, and decision-making.  If this helped, subscribe, share the episode with someone navigating the market, and leave us a review. What’s the one signal you’re watching most closely right now? Send us Fan Mail As always if there is a specific topic you would like for us to cover, please reach out and let us know!