With rates cut tipped for August, insiders explain why this winter could be the time to buy
While winter is typically a quiet time of year for buying and selling property, largely due to fewer listings, which typically peak in spring, Ray White New South Wales head of performance, Alex Pattaro is advising home buyers to beat the spring rush.
"Given the RBA's recent announcement to keep rates on hold, I think economists are even more certain of a rate cut in August," Mr Pattaro said.
"With more rate cuts on the horizon, my suggestion would be to try and buy something now because those cuts are only going to fuel more buyer confidence.
"When money is cheap everyone wants to buy," said Mr Pattaro, which only adds to greater competition and higher prices.
Peter Stephens from Nelson Alexander in Carlton North says there are several benefits to buying in winter generally, and this winter, in particular.
"While there might be less stock available in winter, it can actually be a good time to move because if you are buying in July or August, it means you can move in well before Christmas," he said.
"However, if you're not buying until spring, then you'll often have to wait to that post- Christmas period before you can move in."
"In my opinion, the right time to buy a house is when you find one you like, and if you can find one before interest rates drop any further, then even better," he said.
"While there is still a little bit of reticence and uncertainty in the market, it's a better time to jump in, rather than when that confidence returns and everyone else is trying to jump in at the same time," he said.
Strong demand
With the preliminary capital city auction clearance rate reaching 74.7 per cent last week, the highest early clearance rate since the first week of July last year, there are signs buyer confidence has already started to return.
Independent property researcher Cameron Kusher said the strong preliminary clearance rates - the highest they've been in over a year - pointed to increased buyer competition and prices.
"Recent auction clearance rates highlight there is clearly strong demand for housing currently," he said.
"This strong demand is expected to increase as interest rates fall over the coming months, which is expected to result in even more active buyers," he said.
"These stronger clearance rates are also indicative of property price increases, which I expect will continue over the coming months," he added.
Some experts also believe that vendors who list their properties for sale in winter, outside of peak selling periods, often doing so out of necessity and therefore may be more motivated to sell, increasing your chances of buying a home at a lower price.
Others argue that while there is typically more stock on the market in spring, it is not necessarily better quality.
Get in before spring
Mr Pattaro therefore urges buyers, who are serious about buying, not to hold off for spring.
"Now is a very good time to buy. People are back from overseas and school holidays. We're seeing steady price growth and already some more stock reaching the market."
"I also think that with any further rate cuts, we might also start to see more investors buying properties again, so that pool of buyers is just going to get bigger as money becomes cheaper," he added.
An expansion of the Federal Home Guarantee, which comes into effect from January 2026, and sees all first home buyers eligible to purchase a home with a 5 per cent deposit, without lenders' mortgage insurance, is also likely to drive increased competition in the first home buyer market.
"I think that's another factor a lot of people have forgotten about, which will also fuel that part of the market, so my advice would be not to wait," Mr Pattaro said.
As well as reaping the benefits of less competition and more subdued price growth this winter, agents say viewing a home in winter enables you to actually see how a home looks and feels during the coldest months of the year, including the aspect of the home and whether it attracts good winter sun.
It takes the guesswork out of how your new home will perform during the most challenging time of the year in many states.
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