12 hours ago
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 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 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.
