Tom Panos reveals the biggest real estate trends to watch out for around Australia this spring

The peak real estate selling season is shaping up to be one of the more interesting in recent times. Auctioneer Tom Panos reveals the key drivers that will affect real estate this Spring.

Spring is the peak real estate selling season and this year it shapes up to be one of the more interesting in recent times.

Most commentators are predicting that the influx of new listings is going to result in an oversupply of stock that will cause further softening on prices.

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Whether this happens and to what extent will depend on several factors. Here are the key drivers that will affect real estate this spring.

Tom Panos at Auction

Interest Rate Movement

If the current trend of 0.5 per cent interest rate increases continue for the remainder of 2022, we will see further declines in prices.

However, if the Reserve Bank of Australia slows those increases, we will probably see lower – or little – price declines as most markets have already seen values realigned.

Long-Term Fixed Rate Movement

What banks are doing with fixed rates is affecting the behaviour of buyers. If the bank drops long-term fixed rates, this will send a message to buyers that rates will probably stop going up next year and potentially go down once inflation has been addressed.

Auctioneer Damien Cooley brings the gavel down at a recent auction.

Distressed Vendor Selling

When a vendor is forced to sell, they are willing to accept lower offers in order to move forward.

This “distressed sell price” then acts as a reference point to create a new level in pricing – both in the suburb and in the market.

The good news is that so far this year there has been no evidence of distressed selling, with very little unemployment.

This should continue through to spring, so when a vendor does not need to sell, they won’t.

New listings coming up may give you more chance of finding your picture-perfect home.

Supply of New Listings

At this stage, data is not showing a huge influx of sellers coming on to the market in September and October.

 Many vendors this spring may choose to not come to the market because they feel like they can’t achieve their price.

 If there is less stock on the market, price falls will be fewer and less severe.

When you consider all of this, it is reasonable to anticipate opportunities for both buyers and sellers this spring.

The market could tip to favour either side, so let’s see which way it goes.

Tom Panos is an auctioneer, real estate coach and trainer