Increase in Property Listings Gives Home Buyers More Room to Move

If you have been house hunting lately, you have probably felt the frustration. Choice has been tight, good homes have moved fast, and plenty of buyers have had to settle for less than they wanted. The good news is that rising property listings are starting to change the picture, and that could give buyers more options than they have seen in months.

Price is still the big hurdle for first-home buyers. That part has not changed. When there are not enough homes on the market, competition heats up, and buyers end up paying more or compromising on what they want.

That shortage has been a real issue. Westpac says supply constraints have been one of the biggest barriers for Australians trying to buy their first home, with one in four first home buyers, or 26%, saying a lack of listed properties has held them back.

Now, though, conditions may be starting to shift.

According to SQM Research, new listings “surged” 48.6% nationally in February, making it the strongest monthly rise since spring 2025. New listings also kept climbing over the four weeks to mid-March.

That matters because an increase in property listings can create breathing room for buyers who have been stuck in a market with slim pickings.

Where the Property Listings Increase Is Strongest

Cotality reports that March has brought year-on-year growth in new listings of 10% or more across Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, and Canberra.

Sydney and Adelaide have also moved higher, though at a more modest pace. Sydney is up 4.1%, while Adelaide has recorded a 4.8% lift in new listings.

Perth and Darwin are the exceptions. They are pushing against the broader trend, with new listings down 12.8% and 12.3%, respectively, compared with a year ago.

Even so, rising property listings across many capital cities suggest the market is starting to loosen. That is good news for buyers who have had too few properties to choose from for far too long.

Why Rising Property Listings Matter for Home Buyers

Across the capital cities, the four weeks to mid-March saw an extra 27,772 homes hit the market. That is not a small bump. It is a meaningful lift in available stock.

The most obvious upside of an increase in property listings is choice. When more homes are available, you are less likely to feel pushed into a property that only half fits your needs. You have a better shot at finding the layout, location, block size, or features you actually want.

More supply can also take some heat out of price growth. It does not automatically send values backwards, but it can stop prices from running too hard, too fast.

That said, buyers should not assume a jump in listings means home values are about to fall. Listings are still 9.1% lower than they were a year ago, so we are not yet in a balanced market where supply and demand are evenly matched.

That is why waiting on the sidelines could be risky. If you delay your plans in the hope that prices will soften, the market may move the other way.

SQM Research ran the numbers and found that even if the Reserve Bank lifted interest rates by another 0.25% by mid-year, capital city home values could still finish the year 3.0% higher. In cities such as Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, and Adelaide, home values could rise by at least 10%.

In other words, it may give you a better buying environment, but they do not guarantee cheaper properties.

What Buyers Should Do While the Property Continues to Increase

This is where strategy matters.

If the current property listings increase, giving you more homes to choose from, the next step is to make sure you are ready to act when the right one appears. That starts with knowing your borrowing power.

Your borrowing capacity may have changed following the March rate hike. A clear understanding of what you can comfortably borrow helps shape your budget and keeps your search grounded in reality.

It is also worth tracking local sales results and the time it takes for homes to sell. Values may not fall, but if properties begin sitting on the market for longer, buyers may gain more room to negotiate.

Pre-approval is another key piece of the puzzle. Westpac research shows that two in five home buyers see competition from other buyers as a major barrier to entering the market. In a market where conditions are improving but competition still exists, being organised matters.

Having pre-approval in place can help you move faster and more confidently than buyers who are still sorting out their finances after they find a property they like.

An increase in property listings helps, but it is most useful when your finance is sorted, and you know your next move.

Make the Most of Rising Property Listings With Osinski Finance

A changing market can create good opportunities, but only if you are prepared to use them. More stock gives buyers more flexibility, yet timing, borrowing power, and loan structure still play a big role in the outcome.

At Osinski Finance, we help with investing in a property, becoming a first home buyer, and refinancing your home loan. If you want clear advice, the right loan options, and support from start to finish, contact us to talk through your next step.

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