Property rush: Aussies fast-track home buying
If you're thinking about buying or selling property in Australia, there's one clear message from new research: buyers aren't wasting time anymore.
According to a new study by view.com.au, done in partnership with market research agency Australian Regional Insights, Australians are dramatically speeding up their home buying journey.
The average time it now takes for a buyer to go from the "dreaming" phase to actually purchasing a property has fallen from 29.6 months in 2020 to just 20.6 months in 2025.
More than 700 property-engaged Australians took part in the national survey, which aimed to better understand how buyers and sellers approach the property journey, what drives them, how they find information, and how long it all takes.
This is the fourth time view.com.au has run this study since 2020, giving it a rich historical lens on changing market behaviours.
Paul Tyrrell, Chief Marketing Officer at View Media Group, says the findings reflect a real shift in buyer urgency.
"The significant reduction in time buyers are taking to move along the path to purchase is a clear sign of increased buyer urgency amid falling interest rates and a more favorable lending landscape," Tyrrell explains.
"Stock availability due to the ongoing housing availability crisis is clearly an issue that accelerates this urgency."
It's not just about starting the journey sooner, buyers are also finishing it quicker.
Once in the "active" phase of their search (putting in offers or attending auctions), the average time to purchase has more than halved from 6.8 months in 2022 to just 3.2 months this year.
"The research highlights that buyers know the time to act is now, and they want to purchase before another property boom cycle hits the market, driven by government first home buyer and downsizer incentives, interest rate cuts and greater borrowing capacity," Tyrrell adds.
The bigger picture: Housing market conditions in 2025
The study's findings align closely with broader housing market trends. Cotality's (formerly CoreLogic) latest Pain & Gain Report for the March 2025 quarter shows the vast majority (94.9 per cent) of residential property resales were profitable, up from 94.6 per cent in the previous quarter. That equates to a median gain of $305,000 per sale.
But not all segments of the market are equal. Units continue to lag behind houses in performance.
9.9 per cent of unit resales were made at a loss, compared to just 2.8 per cent of house resales. This discrepancy is especially important for investors to note as they weigh which property type offers better long-term returns.
The recent increase in property profitability is likely to drive more investors and sellers into the market, while also putting pressure on available stock.
Add in Australia's ongoing housing supply shortage, and it's no surprise buyers are jumping in quickly when they find the right opportunity.
Who's buying (and selling)?
According to the survey, two groups are especially active right now: first-home buyers and downsizers.
This insight reflects a combination of government incentives targeted at both ends of the market and shifting lifestyle preferences in a post-pandemic world.
For sellers, the data offers some helpful insights too. Vendors typically sell within three months, with settlements taking just under four. Most still choose to go through a traditional real estate agency, and
agents and brokers are chosen based on their personality, local suburb expertise and sales approach - vendors are choosing an individual more than a brand.
Trent Casson, Managing Director of Residential at View Media Group, says the annual research is key to understanding how both buyers and sellers are adapting.
"The path to purchase research is key for our business as it helps us in further understanding the ever-evolving behavior of buyers and sellers," Casson says.
"This in turn helps inform our product strategy, whilst also validating our commercial strategy. Furthermore, this research assists in educating our premium partners and helping them further understand the behaviors of potential customers."
How are buyers finding information?
While property portals remain a go-to source, the study found a growing reliance on Google searches and social media, especially among Gen Z and Millennials.
In fact, Gen Z buyers reported using social media as a property resource at a rate of 58 per cent, compared to 33 per cent of Millennials.
This shift in information sources has implications for how sellers market their homes, and how investors research new opportunities.
What it means for you
Whether you're a buyer trying to beat the competition, a seller hoping to time the market, or an investor watching for the next upswing, the message is clear: the property market is moving faster than ever.
Falling interest rates, rising buyer confidence, and a tight housing supply are combining to create a competitive landscape. Acting quickly, but with the right information, has never been more important.
And with profitability climbing, particularly for house resales, there's reason for confidence whether you're entering or exiting the market.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
Bleak new data from comparison site Finder reveals how critical tax returns are for Aussies during cost of living crisis
Bleak new data has revealed just how critical upcoming tax returns are for millions of Aussies that continue to struggle with crippling cost of living pressures. Fresh research from comparison site Finder shows how Aussies plan on using their tax return – which is estimated to be more than $1500 for those expecting a refund. Of those anticipating a refund, 52 per cent said the cash injection will go straight into their savings while 19 per cent said they would use the windfall to pay for household bills. Just seven per cent said the cash was going towards a holiday, while six per cent were paying off their mortgage and five per cent were going shopping. It comes as 47 per cent of Australians expect a return – equivalent to more than 10 million individuals – after July 1. Finder's personal finance expert Sarah Megginson said households were focused on covering the essentials with their tax return as price pressures ate into budgets. "It's been a tough stretch for households, and many are counting on their tax refund to ease the pressure on their budget just a little,' Ms Megginson said. "For a lot of people, a refund acts as a kind of forced savings – especially when they're only just making ends meet each month." Many Aussies also anticipate using their tax return to pay off debts. About four per cent plan to pay off credit card debt with their return while one per cent said the cash would be used to pay off Buy Now Pay Later loans. Another two per cent said they would invest their return in shares. Ms Megginson said many families had eaten into their savings over the past few years amid struggles with soaring inflation. "Millions of Australians have had to dip into emergency funds just to pay for basics like petrol and electricity,' she said. "A few thousand dollars back at tax time can be a real lifeline for families working to rebuild their financial footing. "The peace of mind that comes with having an emergency buffer can't be overstated – so using a tax windfall to rebuild that safety net is always a smart move." The cumulative impacts of inflation over the past three and a half years means things are about 17 per cent more expensive than in late 2021. Finder's new research on how Aussies will use their tax return follows the comparison site revealing a total of $15.3 billion will go back into the pockets of everyday shoppers across the nation after tax returns are issued. Almost one in four respondents to Finder's survey said a tax refund was very important to their financial health while 41 per cent said the cash was somewhat important.
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman pledges to establish AI minister
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has pledged to establish a minister for artificial intelligence and slammed the Labor government's budget as a 'Band-Aid' written in 'red ink' amid soaring cost of living. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey delivered Labor's third budget on Tuesday, with a new housing developer guarantee scheme and funding for vulnerable children. In his budget reply speech, Mr Speakman pledged to address low productivity growth in the state, which the budget said would continue 'without meaningful technological breakthrough', by embracing 'responsible artificial intelligence across public service processes'. Mr Speakman said the controversial technology would improve services and free up teachers, healthcare professionals and public servants to 'engage directly with people in problems, instead of being tied up with unnecessary administrative burdens'. 'This work would be preceded by the development of an AI opportunities action plan, as in the UK, overseen by a dedicated minister for artificial intelligence,' he said. 'For small and medium business owners looking to get ahead using AI, a Coalition government would set 'AI for biz' – a zero, low-interest loan scheme for small and medium businesses looking to introduce responsible AI into their business operations.' Mr Speakman used his address on Thursday to make his pitch on what a future Coalition government would look like, more details of which would emerge in the many months to come before the next state election. Among his pledges were to advocate for the restoration of the First Home Buyer Choice Program, 'removing the burden of stamp duty for young people trying to get into the market', and exempting stamp duty for eligible older Australians looking to downsize. On cost of living, Mr Speakman said he would call on the state government to reinstate the Full Active Kids Program as well as introduce a 'fairer' payroll tax scheme for small and medium-sized businesses, establish preventive health hubs, expand telehealth, and prioritise emergency care. Mr Speakman earlier praised the former Coalition government as the state's 'most successful' and accused Labor of failing to deliver more infrastructure. 'Labor has no plan to replace the pipeline of projects that have underpinned job creation, economic growth, and service delivery across the state,' he said on Thursday. 'Instead, under Labor, there's a whopping cut of public infrastructure investment as a share of the economy.' Mr Speakman described the budget as being 'written in red ink'. 'A budget of debt, not discipline, a budget of vagaries, not vision, a budget that's about papering over the cracks rather than building for the long term. 'A budget putting Band-Aids on the major problems faced by the state, like housing, cost of living, infrastructure and health. 'A budget that will be forgotten, even if the costs, the waste, and the missed opportunities that it presents linger long afterwards. 'Past this parliament and a budget which, after two years in office, shows the mettle of this government. 'A government sleepwalking through its term already out of steam. 'A government more focused on spin and soft congratulations than results, while everyday people see this state go backwards.' Mr Speakman said Labor had failed to deliver any additional cost-of-living support and was 'investing less in the future while letting debt spiral'. 'It's ordinary families who are paying the price while the government is building less, it's borrowing more on its own,' he said. He went on to describe Labor's projected 2028 budgetary surplus as a 'fairytale'. He noted there was also no provision in the budget for potential public service wage rises above the government's current offer. Originally published as NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman pledges to establish AI minister in budget reply
7NEWS
3 hours ago
- 7NEWS
One in five first home buyers turn to the bank of Mum and Dad
With housing affordability an ongoing issue in Australia, with house prices continuing to outpace incomes, many young Australians are turning to their parents for help to buy their first property. New research from comparison site Finder has revealed that almost 20 per cent of new home buyers dipped into the bank of mum and dad to purchase their new home. The Finder's First Home Buyer Report 2025 - based on a survey of more than 1000 first home buyers in Australia - found almost 1 in 5 (17 per cent) of first home buyers received financial help from their parents to save their deposit. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today This equates to almost 20,000 first home buyers a year who are now lucky enough to receive financial assistance from their parents. The report also revealed that the proportion of new buyers tapping into the bank of mum and dad has increased significantly from just 11 per cent in 2022. Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, said millions of Aussies are now counting on the bank of mum and dad to secure a home in Australia. "The bank of mum and dad has become one of the biggest unofficial lenders in the country," Megginson said. "For many young Australians, homeownership feels like a dream that won't be realised, unless you've got parents who can tip in some financial help - sometimes up to six figures," she added. She said first home buyers with parental help aren't just getting into the property market earlier, they are also getting in "with more savings, bigger budgets, and a huge head start." The report reveals first home buyers who receive financial support from their parents had 41 per cent more money left over in savings after buying their first home, compared to those who didn't receive any money from their parents. The research also found that for buyers without family support, 40 per cent took five years or more to save a deposit. In comparison, among buyers who received assistance, just 29 per cent took five years or more to save for a house. The other top strategies young Australians use to save for their first home include living at home with their parents (21 per cent of first home buyers); spending less on dining out (20 per cent); and taking on a second job (17 per cent). Meanwhile, the number of first home buyers who said they simply saved slowly over a long period of time fell from 23 per cent in 2022 to 17 per cent. While increasing numbers of parents are supporting their children to buy their first home, Megginson warned that too much generosity from parents' could hurt their own standard of living in retirement. "Supporting your kids is part and parcel of being a parent, but you need to do it in a way that's sustainable for everyone," she said. "I've heard of parents who end up working longer than they planned, delaying retirement or leaving themselves financially short once they retire, because they were too generous when giving their kids a financial leg-up," she warned. The report also found that the percentage of first home buyers who bought out of a worry that property prices would soon become too expensive has increased from 31 per cent in 2022 to 38 per cent in 2025. Meanwhile, 60 per cent of first home buyers say recent interest rate cuts influenced their decision to buy now. However, the survey also revealed that nearly two in three, or 65 per cent of first home buyers, spend or expect to spend 30 per cent or more of their income on mortgage repayments, placing them in mortgage stress.
