Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House? Property Listings Surge & Buyer FOMO Fades

Is now a good time to buy a house in Australia? For much of the past few years, that question was clouded by FOMO, the fear of missing out that pushed buyers into rushed decisions and inflated offers. That pressure is finally easing. New listings are climbing, auction results are cooling, and sellers are opening the door to negotiation again. At Osinski Finance, our family-owned mortgage brokerage team works with home buyers and investors across Perth every week, and we're seeing this shift play out in real client conversations. Here's what's actually changed in the market, and what it could mean for you. 

Quick Answer: Is Now a Good Time to Buy?

In short, current conditions favour buyers more than they have in several years. Property listings are up, the rate has fallen to its lowest level since 2020, and softening investor demand is helping create a genuine buyers market Australia hasn't seen in some time.

That doesn't mean waiting indefinitely is a smart strategy. Well-located, well-priced homes are still attracting strong interest, so financially ready buyers are generally better placed acting with a clear plan than sitting on the sidelines hoping prices fall further.

How FOMO Took Hold, and Why It's Fading

It wasn't so long ago that FOMO was the single biggest force shaping Australia's housing market. Listings were sitting at multi-year lows, prices were climbing rapidly, and a report by Finder found that almost two in five first home buyers had purchased a property purely out of concern they'd be priced out for good.

Today, that pressure has largely lifted. As Domain reports, the FOMO factor has faded significantly, and that shift is opening up genuine opportunities for buyers who've been waiting for a window like this.

More Homes Are Listed for Sale

As recently as early 2026, buyers were working with a genuinely tight pool of stock. In January, the number of homes advertised for sale sat 25 per cent below the five-year average, leaving many buyers with slim pickings and little room to be selective.

That picture has shifted quickly. New listings rose 13.3 per cent nationally in June 2026 compared with the same month a year earlier, a meaningful jump in the space of just twelve months.

This likely reflects property owners looking to cash in on recent price gains, according to realestate.com.au. Whatever the exact driver, buyers now have considerably more choice on the table, which improves the odds of finding a home that actually ticks your boxes rather than settling for whatever happens to be available.

Auction Clearance Rate Falls to a Multi-Year Low

Fewer properties are being sold under the hammer at all. Results have dropped to their lowest level since 2020, and with fewer homes going to auction, there's a growing preference for private treaty sales instead.

The upside of a private treaty sale is that it gives buyers far more scope to negotiate directly with the seller, rather than competing against a room full of bidders on the day. A well-timed home loan pre-approval can add real weight here too. Knowing your borrowing power ahead of time, and letting the seller know you're pre-approved and serious, can be genuinely useful leverage at the negotiating table. It's worth having that conversation with a broker early, well before you've found the property, so you're ready to move the moment the right home comes up.

Buyers Market Australia: Investors Step Back as Tax Rules Change

Earlier in 2026, investors accounted for around two in five new mortgages written nationally, a substantial share of overall buyer demand. Tax changes announced in the Federal Budget are set to change that picture.

Westpac has forecast the tax reforms will drive a "sharp and sustained pull back" in investor activity. For owner-occupiers, that's a meaningful plus. Facing less competition from investors at open homes and auctions gives everyday home buyers stronger negotiating clout with sellers, and a genuinely better shot at securing a property without being outbid by a portfolio buyer. If you're weighing up how these reforms might affect your own plans, it's worth reading through the detail on how the Federal Budget could affect your property plans, or getting across what's going on with negative gearing before you make your next move.

Buyers Are Scoring Bigger Discounts

Sellers are also becoming noticeably more open to negotiating on price. Across the nation's capital cities, the median discount on sale has climbed to 3.6 per cent, up from 3.0 per cent in March. Regional buyers are seeing a similar shift, with a median discount of around 3.5 per cent.

These figures might look modest on paper, but they add up fast. On the median home value of $903,000 nationally, a 3.6 per cent discount works out to a saving of more than $32,000. That's not a small win, particularly for buyers stretching to make a purchase work.

Farewell FOMO, Hello Buyer Opportunities

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most of us will ever make, and it shouldn't be driven by FOMO. With so many of the old triggers easing, is now a good time to buy a house? For many buyers, yes, with more time to research the market and greater room to negotiate on price than we've seen in years.



Even so, there's no room for complacency. Well-priced homes in good locations still attract plenty of interest, and holding out indefinitely for prices to bottom out can lead to disappointment just as easily as acting too early.

Whether you're a first home buyer, investing in a property or looking for the right home loan, Osinski Finance can help you navigate the process with confidence and find a finance solution that suits your goals.

Message us today to discuss your options and secure the right home loan for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• New listings rose 13.3 per cent nationally in June 2026 compared with a year earlier, giving buyers considerably more properties to choose from.
• The auction clearance rate has fallen to its lowest level since 2020, a clear sign of easing buyer competition.
• Tax changes from the Federal Budget are expected to pull back investor activity, reducing competition for everyday home buyers.
• Median discounts on sale have climbed to 3.6 per cent in the capital cities, worth more than $32,000 on the $903,000 national median value.
• Buying decisions should still be based on financial readiness and property fundamentals, not a fear of missing out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is now a good time to buy a house, or wait for prices to fall further? 

It depends on your finances, goals and the area you're buying in. Buyers now have more choice, less competition and greater negotiating power than in recent years. If you're financially ready, current conditions may present a good opportunity, while waiting for prices to fall further isn't guaranteed to pay off.

Will property prices in Australia keep rising through 2026? 

Price growth has slowed, but market conditions vary by location and property type. Some areas remain competitive, so it's important to focus on local market trends rather than national averages. 

Why are property listings increasing right now? 

Many owners are selling while property values remain high, supported by improved market confidence and easing interest rate pressure. This has created more choice for buyers.

What's causing the drop in auction results? 

More sellers are choosing private treaty sales over auctions, while softer buyer demand has lowered clearance rates. This gives buyers more opportunities to negotiate. 

How does reduced investor activity affect home buyers? 

With fewer investors competing for properties, owner-occupiers often face less competition and may have stronger negotiating power. 

What's a realistic discount to negotiate on a home right now? 

Many sellers are accepting discounts of around 3–4% below the asking price, although the final figure depends on the property, seller and local market conditions. 

How much income do I need to buy a $500,000 home in Australia? 

There's no fixed income requirement, as it depends on your deposit, debts and lender criteria. A mortgage broker can assess your borrowing capacity based on your financial situation. 

Is a private treaty sale better than buying at auction? 

Private treaty sales usually offer more flexibility to negotiate, while auctions can be more competitive. With more sellers choosing private treaty, many buyers are finding it easier to secure a fair deal. 

Should first home buyers wait for prices to drop further? 

Not necessarily. With more listings and less competition, first home buyers have more time to compare properties and loan options. Being financially prepared is often more important than trying to time the market. 

How can I make a stronger offer in today's market? 

Getting home loan pre-approval before you start searching can strengthen your position and help you act quickly when you find the right property. Speaking with a mortgage broker early can also help you understand your borrowing power. 

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