Ninja in a Blazer - June 2026

We wanted to provide an update after the release of the Federal Budget based on what we are seeing on the ground and how the market appears to be responding so far.

Please note, we are not accountants or financial planners, so this is not financial advice. This update is purely based on what we are currently experiencing in the market, and conditions may continue to change over the coming weeks and months.

Investor Activity Has Slowed
Investor activity has dropped significantly in the areas we service. Investor enquiries and attendance at open homes have fallen to around 5% of total buyer activity, with the majority of buyers now being owner-occupiers.

Our view is that many investors are still assessing how the budget changes may impact their strategies and are waiting for guidance from accountants or financial advisers before making decisions. There is also a level of uncertainty while the market adjusts to the new conditions.

Interestingly, this may create an opportunity for investors who are still actively buying. Properties with long-term tenants in place are attracting less interest from owner-occupier buyers, which means some sellers may be more open to negotiations.

Is the Market Falling?
The market has definitely slowed compared to the pace we experienced over the past three years. Where properties were previously receiving 5-10 offers after the first weekend, we are now seeing closer to 1-2 offers over the same period.

Some buyers are also submitting lower offers and adding more conditions to contracts. However, despite the slowdown, quality properties are still achieving prices well above what they would have sold for six months ago. While we may see some prices come back slightly from the peak, values remain well above January 2023.

What we are seeing is a transition back to a more balanced and normal market. The past three years were an exceptionally strong period, but that was never likely to continue forever. Buyers and sellers will gain a clearer understanding of the true market value as more sales occur under current conditions.

There is currently a gap between buyer and seller expectations, which is often based on previous peak sales, and buyers’ market interpretations, with some anticipating major price drops. In reality, sellers are generally unwilling to accept low offers unless they genuinely need to sell.

The Biggest Winners in This Market
One of the biggest opportunities right now is for buyers who need to sell their current home before purchasing their next property.
In the hotter market, “subject to sale” offers were rarely considered. Over the past three weeks alone, we have successfully negotiated more subject-to-sale contracts than we have in the past five years combined.

For anyone considering upsizing or downsizing, this is currently one of the best markets to make that move. Sellers are now much more open to flexible terms and conditions.

The key is every situation is preparation. The subject-to-sale buyers having the most success are those who already have everything ready to go - including photos, marketing, and a plan to launch their property quickly once they secure their next home. This gives sellers confidence that the process will move smoothly and efficiently.

Where Do We See the Market Going?
No one can predict the future with certainty, but based on our experience, property remains Australia’s preferred long-term investment.

While we may see some short-term price adjustments, we believe the market will remain relatively resilient, particularly in Queensland and Brisbane, where demand continues to outweigh supply.

Population growth, interstate migration, and the ongoing housing shortage are still major factors supporting the market. For that reason, we believe property values will continue to experience steady long-term growth leading into the Olympics, even if the rapid growth of recent years has passed us.