Australia Weekly Property Market Report – Week Ending 26 July 2026

The Australia Weekly Property Market Report for the week ending Sunday, 26 July 2026 shows a modest improvement in preliminary auction results. However, buyer caution, reduced investor participation, elevated pass-ins and subdued vendor confidence continued to shape the winter market.

Australia’s Weekly Housing Market Snapshot

Market Highlights

• Cotality placed the preliminary combined capital-city clearance rate at approximately 52.4%.
• Auction volumes increased by around 4% over the week but remained 16.9% below the corresponding period in 2025.
• Victoria recorded a 54% clearance rate from 622 available results and 760 scheduled auctions through realestate.com.au.
• The REIV reported a stronger 75% Victorian clearance rate from 349 reported auctions.
• New South Wales recorded a 45% clearance rate from 545 available results and 629 scheduled auctions.
• Queensland recorded a 29% clearance rate from 195 available results and 238 scheduled auctions, while Cotality placed Brisbane’s preliminary rate at 30.5% from 134 auctions.
• South Australia recorded a 50% clearance rate from 98 available results and 121 scheduled auctions.
• The Australian Capital Territory recorded a 49% clearance rate from 43 available results and 45 scheduled auctions.

Executive Overview

This Australia Weekly Property Market Report shows that conditions were not uniformly weak. Scarce, well-presented homes in desirable locations still attracted competition, particularly in affordable and family-oriented segments. At the same time, buyers remained reluctant to accept ambitious reserves, major renovation risk or properties with high ongoing costs.

Melbourne remained Australia’s largest auction market and produced one of the stronger major-capital preliminary results. Sydney and New South Wales were considerably weaker, while Brisbane recorded the weakest result among the larger capitals. Adelaide remained comparatively resilient, and Canberra produced a result close to 50%.

For vendors, the current market requires accurate pricing, strong property presentation and realistic reserve expectations. For buyers, the volume of passed-in and withdrawn properties continues to create meaningful negotiation opportunities, especially immediately after auction.

National Auction Performance

Cotality’s preliminary combined capital-city clearance rate was approximately 52.4%, an improvement on the previous week’s initial result. Auction activity also increased by about 4% over the week. However, volumes remained 16.9% lower than during the corresponding period in 2025, showing that fewer vendors are currently choosing auction as their preferred method of sale.

The preliminary figure needs to be treated carefully. Cotality’s clearance rates often decline as outstanding, withdrawn and unsuccessful results are collected later in the week. The final result for the week ending 19 July, for example, settled at 45.3%, materially below its preliminary reading.

Cotality calculates its clearance rate by comparing known sales before, at or after auction with all collected results, including passed-in and withdrawn campaigns. It also notes that results based on fewer than ten collected outcomes are statistically unreliable.

In this Australia Weekly Property Market Report, these reporting differences are important when assessing Auction Clearance Rates Australia. Cotality, PropTrack, realestate.com.au and the REIV do not use identical reporting pools or methods, so their rates should not be treated as directly interchangeable.

Combined Capital City Results

Realestate.com.au publishes progressive auction results during the week. Its Victorian figures for the period ending 26 July were based on 622 available results from 760 scheduled auctions, and the published rate may change as more outcomes are received.

The REIV’s 75% Victorian result came from 349 reported auctions compiled from Victorian real estate professionals and other industry sources. The smaller reporting pool helps explain why its result was materially higher than the broader realestate.com.au figure and Cotality’s preliminary Melbourne rate.

For this report, realestate.com.au provided the most detailed breakdown of sales, withdrawals and passed-in properties available as at 28 July. Cotality’s national and city figures remained preliminary while its final weekly release was pending.

Perth and Tasmania continued to record limited auction activity compared with their wider private treaty markets. Their weekly clearance rates therefore remain less reliable as indicators of broader conditions. Perth’s wider market continued to be influenced by population growth, housing shortages, rental demand and private treaty stock levels. Its broader fundamentals remained stronger than those of Sydney and Melbourne, although affordability pressure was increasing as prices continued to rise.

This national picture forms the basis of the latest Weekly Property Market Report Australia, while also providing wider context for Australia Housing Market News and the Residential Property Market Australia.

Melbourne Housing Market This Week

Melbourne Auction Activity

The Melbourne Housing Market produced a better headline result than the previous week, although the underlying figures still showed that buyers held considerable negotiating power.

Realestate.com.au recorded 760 scheduled Victorian auctions, with 622 outcomes available. Of those, 237 properties sold under the hammer, 97 sold before auction and three sold afterward. Among the unsuccessful outcomes, 156 properties passed in and 129 were withdrawn. This produced a preliminary clearance rate of 54%.

Cotality’s preliminary Melbourne result was approximately 54.6%. Around 682 auctions had initially been expected for the weekend, about 12% fewer than during the same period in 2025. This continued the reduction in auction listings seen compared with previous years.

The latest Melbourne Auction Results therefore pointed to an improvement from June’s particularly weak conditions, but not a return to the intense seller-favourable environment seen in earlier cycles.

Clearance Rate Performance

The REIV reported a 75% clearance rate from 349 reported auctions, up from 68% from 377 reported auctions one week earlier. While this showed stronger performance among campaigns reported to the institute, the total represented fewer than half the auctions scheduled in the realestate.com.au dataset.

The difference between the 75% REIV result, the 54% realestate.com.au result and Cotality’s approximately 54.6% preliminary result reflects their different reporting pools and methodologies. It should not be interpreted as a contradiction.

REIV-linked weekly reporting placed Melbourne’s auction sales volume at approximately $245 million. Units reportedly achieved an 84% clearance rate from 115 reported auctions, with a median auction unit price of about $850,000. Private treaty house sales recorded a median of approximately $946,000 in the associated weekly summary.

These figures reflect reported transactions rather than every sale across Melbourne. Weekly medians can also shift significantly depending on the mix of suburbs and property types sold. They should not be treated as substitutes for a full metropolitan median.

This is an important distinction when reading a Victoria Property Report, a Weekly Auction Report Australia or broader Property Market News Australia.

Buyer Demand Analysis

The week’s results showed that affordable and scarce family homes could still attract strong demand. Buyers were not withdrawing from the market completely, but they were becoming more selective and more willing to reject reserves that did not match their view of value.

A total of 285 of the 622 available Victorian outcomes either passed in or were withdrawn. This means a substantial share of campaigns did not finish with a successful auction sale, despite the stronger preliminary headline rate.

Buyers were also completing more due diligence, comparing several listings and allowing for renovation, insurance, owners corporation and maintenance costs before setting their limits. Online views and open-home attendance did not necessarily translate into registered bidders or competitive bidding.

For buyers following the Melbourne market, the strongest opportunities were generally among passed-in properties, withdrawn campaigns and homes that had undergone price adjustments. However, affordable family homes with scarcity value could still sell above expectations.

Vendor Pricing Trends

Melbourne remained one of Australia’s most heavily discounted listing markets. Recent analysis found that approximately 29% of Melbourne homes listed for sale had undergone a price reduction, compared with around 12% in Sydney.

The median reduction between the original asking price and the revised price was approximately $23,750. Townhouses and some unit categories experienced considerably larger proportional reductions.

This reflected an ongoing adjustment between vendor expectations and buyer capacity. Properties priced using earlier market conditions were increasingly being revised once buyer feedback became clear.

The 156 pass-ins and 129 withdrawals were also important signs of this pricing gap. A withdrawal often occurred when vendors and agents believed buyer interest was insufficient to create a competitive auction. Some properties sold beforehand, while others moved to private negotiation or were postponed.

Vendors should therefore monitor contract requests, second inspections, building inspections and confirmed bidders. These indicators provide a clearer guide to genuine demand than online engagement or open-home attendance alone.

Reserve expectations should be based on recent comparable sales and consistent buyer feedback. Where several qualified buyers indicate a similar value, that figure may be a more reliable guide than an earlier aspirational price.

Significant Melbourne Property Sales

A four-bedroom home at 9 Tusmore Rise, Craigieburn, showed that strong results remained possible when a property offered scarcity and appealed to several buyer groups.

The home carried a price guide of $700,000 to $730,000 but sold for $810,000 after competition from five owner-occupiers and two investors. Its 641-square-metre landholding, age and size reportedly helped it stand out from surrounding stock.

The result was significant because it occurred while investor bidding was reduced and broader conditions were softer. It also showed the relative resilience of affordable, family-oriented housing compared with higher-priced and investor-dependent segments.

This sale was a notable result within the week’s Melbourne Auction Results and the wider Australian Real Estate Market.

Sydney Residential Market Review

Sydney Auction Overview

The Sydney Housing Market and wider New South Wales market continued to experience difficult auction conditions.

Realestate.com.au recorded 629 scheduled auctions and 545 available results, producing a 45% clearance rate. There were 150 properties sold under the hammer, 94 sold before auction and three sold afterward. A further 88 properties passed in and 210 were withdrawn.

The withdrawal figure was particularly high. Around 39% of available NSW auction outcomes were withdrawn, showing that many campaigns did not proceed to a public auction result.

NSW Market Conditions

Separate weekend reporting described especially weak conditions on Saturday. Of 368 scheduled Sydney auctions, 180 were reportedly withdrawn and only 64 had sold under the hammer at that stage of reporting.

Veteran auctioneer Tom Panos reported no registered bidders across six auctions and described it as the most difficult auction day of his 30-year career.

These results showed the difference between buyer enquiry and genuine bidding activity. A campaign could attract online attention and inspection groups but still fail to produce a registered bidder prepared to meet the vendor’s expectation.

The Sydney Housing Market was therefore marked by caution, withdrawals and selective demand rather than a complete absence of buyers.

Market Confidence

Sydney buyers appeared particularly sensitive to interest-rate expectations, taxation changes and the risk of purchasing into a falling market. Premium and highly leveraged markets showed greater vulnerability, while more affordable first-home buyer segments remained comparatively resilient.

Recent reporting also indicated that luxury property values in selected markets had experienced considerably larger corrections than more affordable segments.

The high withdrawal rate suggested that vendors and agents were increasingly choosing private negotiation or postponing campaigns rather than risking a visible auction failure. This was one of the clearest signals in the week’s Australia Housing Market News.

Property Selling Trends

Despite broader weakness, a property at 31 Lygon Place, Castle Hill, reportedly sold approximately $50,000 above reserve after attracting competitive bidding.

The sale showed that Sydney still had demand for homes offering recognised value, family suitability and a desirable location. However, the wider market remained challenging.

For vendors, early buyer engagement was critical. Where a credible pre-auction offer was supported by comparable evidence and bidder depth was limited, selling before auction could produce a stronger result than proceeding with an under-supported campaign.

For buyers, high withdrawal levels created potential opportunities to continue discussions privately where a property remained suitable.

Brisbane, Adelaide and ACT Property Performance

Brisbane Housing Update

The Brisbane Property Market Update showed one of the weakest auction results nationally.

Cotality placed Brisbane’s preliminary clearance rate at 30.5% from 134 auctions, compared with approximately 72% during the corresponding period in 2025. Auction volumes fell 18.3% from the previous week and 28.3% annually. The withdrawal rate increased to approximately 17.4%.

Realestate.com.au’s wider Queensland data recorded 238 scheduled auctions and 195 available results, producing a 29% clearance rate. There were 43 properties sold under the hammer, 12 sold beforehand and one sold afterward. A total of 103 properties passed in and 36 were withdrawn.

Queensland’s 103 pass-ins represented more than half of its available auction outcomes.

This did not necessarily mean the wider Queensland property market was experiencing the same level of weakness. Brisbane, the Gold Coast and regional Queensland remained mainly private treaty markets, with auctions representing a smaller share of sales than in Melbourne or Sydney.

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland had also emphasised that overall sales activity continued despite the auction-market downturn. Population growth, limited supply and interstate migration remained supportive, although affordability had deteriorated after several years of strong price growth.

For Brisbane vendors, an auction was more suitable where genuine scarcity and a realistic prospect of competitive tension existed. For more conventional homes, a clearly priced private treaty campaign could provide buyers with greater certainty.

Adelaide Residential Market

The Adelaide Real Estate Market remained one of the more balanced auction markets.

Realestate.com.au recorded 121 scheduled South Australian auctions and 98 available outcomes, producing a 50% clearance rate. A total of 43 properties sold under the hammer, five sold before auction and one sold afterward. Nine auctions were withdrawn and 40 passed in.

Adelaide continued to benefit from relative affordability, lower listing supply and steady owner-occupier demand. However, the 40 pass-ins showed that buyers were not accepting every reserve.

Properties requiring limited renovation, offering energy efficiency and providing access to employment and transport remained better placed to attract competition. The market appeared more resilient than Sydney, Brisbane and some parts of Melbourne, but price selectivity was increasing.

Canberra Property Overview

The Canberra Housing Report recorded 45 scheduled ACT auctions and 43 available outcomes, producing a 49% clearance rate.

There were 14 properties sold at auction and seven sold beforehand. Thirteen were withdrawn and nine passed in.

Canberra’s weekly volumes remained small, meaning its clearance rate could move sharply from one week to the next. Stable public-sector employment supported underlying housing demand, but high purchase prices and borrowing costs continued to limit buyer capacity.

Energy-efficient homes, practical family layouts and properties close to major employment centres remained better positioned than homes requiring immediate upgrades.

Capital City Comparison

Among the larger auction markets, Melbourne produced one of the stronger preliminary results, while Sydney remained weaker and Brisbane recorded the lowest major-capital result. Adelaide was comparatively resilient, and Canberra finished just below 50%.

The results also showed why Auction Clearance Rates Australia need to be considered alongside auction volumes, pass-ins, withdrawals, prior sales and unreported outcomes. A single headline percentage does not fully describe market strength.

The Brisbane Property Market Update, Adelaide Real Estate Market and Canberra Housing Report all showed different levels of auction performance, but each remained influenced by affordability and buyer price sensitivity.

Regional Victoria Housing Insights

Geelong Market Performance

The Geelong Housing Market remained highly segmented. Affordable northern suburbs, established family areas and premium coastal locations experienced different levels of buyer demand.

Buyers were especially responsive to homes offering immediate liveability and lower renovation risk. Recent market analysis showed that some Geelong listings experienced larger differences between original asking expectations and achieved selling prices. This reflected a market where buyers remained active but increasingly value conscious.

Infrastructure and accessibility continued to support Geelong’s longer-term prospects. The recent activation of upgraded traffic signals on Melbourne Road in North Geelong was one example of a local accessibility improvement that could support surrounding residential and commercial areas.

The visitor economy also provided commercial and employment support. Barwon Valley Lodge in Belmont was recently brought to market after more than 40 years of family ownership, with the operation reportedly generating more than $576,000 in revenue during the 2024–25 financial year.

For residential buyers, value remained strongest where homes offered access to employment, schools, transport and established retail services without requiring major capital expenditure.

These conditions formed part of the latest Geelong Housing Market picture and wider Geelong Housing Trends.

Ballarat Property Activity

The Ballarat Real Estate market continued to record meaningful transaction activity during the week.

A property at 1 Coy Street reportedly sold by private treaty for $1.9 million, making it one of the region’s higher-value sales for the period.

Ballarat remained supported by affordability compared with Melbourne, rail connectivity, education, healthcare and government employment. Buyer demand continued to favour established suburbs, homes close to services and properties requiring limited immediate renovation.

First-home buyers and investors remained active, but interest-rate sensitivity was significant. As the region was mainly a private treaty market, auction clearance rates alone offered limited insight. Days on market, sale-price adjustments and the volume of competing listings were more useful indicators.

This activity was relevant to both Ballarat Real Estate conditions and the wider Regional Victoria Property market.

Bendigo Housing Trends

The Bendigo Property Market remained underpinned by a diverse employment base across healthcare, finance, education, government and professional services.

Realestate.com.au recorded five available auction or sales results in Bendigo in its Victorian weekly location data. This did not represent the city’s complete private treaty market.

Demand remained strongest near Bendigo’s central employment, retail and education areas. Affordable established homes and low-maintenance units continued to appeal to owner-occupiers and investors.

As more listings entered the market, accurate pricing and presentation became more important. Buyers had greater choice and were increasingly comparing several homes before committing.

The week’s results showed that the Bendigo Property Market remained active, but outcomes were property and location specific.

Regional Buyer Opportunities

Regional Victoria and the Riverina recorded 15 property sales above $1 million during the week ending 26 July, showing continued upper-end activity in selected regional markets.

Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo continued to attract buyers seeking value outside Melbourne. However, results varied significantly by suburb, property type, price, renovation requirements and access to employment and services.

The Regional Victoria Property market therefore remained more resilient than metropolitan Melbourne in some affordable and lifestyle locations, but it was not moving in one consistent direction. The Victoria Property Report showed that regional opportunities needed to be assessed property by property.

Auction Pass-Ins, Withdrawals & Negotiation Opportunities

Why Auctions Pass In

A property usually passes in when the vendor’s reserve remains above the strongest offer made at auction. This signals a gap between buyer value and vendor expectation.

A withdrawal can occur because bidder interest is insufficient, the property has sold before auction, the vendor’s circumstances have changed or the campaign is moving to private treaty.

Passed-in and withdrawn campaigns were among the defining features of this Australia Weekly Property Market Report. They also showed why preliminary clearance rates alone did not provide a complete view of current conditions.

Vendor Strategy

Vendors should establish a clear post-auction plan before the campaign begins. This should include the minimum acceptable price, preferred settlement terms and any concessions they may be willing to consider.

A strong pre-auction offer should be assessed objectively where bidder depth is limited. Vendors should also use current comparable evidence rather than relying on results achieved during stronger market conditions.

Property presentation needs to be addressed before the campaign launches, while the reserve and post-auction negotiation approach should be agreed before auction day.

Buyer Negotiation Advantages

A passed-in property often gives the highest bidder the first opportunity to negotiate. In the current market, this post-auction period is becoming one of the most important stages of the campaign.

Buyers can negotiate without the emotional pressure of open bidding, but should still complete due diligence and remain guided by comparable sales and their financial limits.

Withdrawn auctions and revised asking prices may also provide opportunities. However, buyers should not assume every property will be discounted, particularly where a home is affordable, scarce and suited to family demand.

Current Market Conditions

Victoria recorded 156 pass-ins and 129 withdrawals through realestate.com.au. New South Wales recorded 88 pass-ins and 210 withdrawals. Queensland recorded 103 pass-ins and 36 withdrawals. South Australia recorded 40 pass-ins and nine withdrawals, while the ACT recorded nine pass-ins and 13 withdrawals.

These figures showed that market conditions were weaker than headline preliminary rates might suggest. They also confirmed that buyers retained meaningful negotiating power in several markets.

This pattern was a central feature of the Weekly Auction Report Australia and current Property Market News Australia.

Economic Factors Influencing Australia’s Housing Market

Interest Rate Expectations

Interest rates remained the most significant constraint on buyer capacity. Higher repayments reduced the amount households could borrow and made buyers less willing to use their full approved limit.

Expectations around the Reserve Bank’s August decision added further caution. Buyers were also considering how a possible rate increase could affect future borrowing capacity and repayments.

Global uncertainty reinforced this behaviour. Geopolitical risk could influence inflation expectations, financial markets and consumer confidence, encouraging households to retain larger cash buffers.

These pressures continued to shape Australian Housing Trends and the short-term direction of the Australian Real Estate Market.

Housing Affordability

The national downturn remained uneven. Prestige property, investor-oriented dwellings and homes requiring major expenditure were generally more exposed, while affordable family homes remained comparatively well supported.

Recent analysis identified significant three-month declines in selected prestige suburbs, including Sorrento in Victoria and Manly in Sydney. More affordable outer-suburban markets remained more resilient because of first-home buyer demand and lower entry prices.

Melbourne property values were reported to be approximately 2.2% lower year on year, while Sydney values were around 1.4% lower.

Comparable weekend median auction prices were not available across every capital city and provider. Melbourne’s reported weekly median figures also depended on the types and locations of the properties sold.

These affordability pressures remained central to Australia Housing Market News and any Housing Market Forecast Australia.

Investor Activity

Recent Federal Budget announcements concerning future changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax treatment were reported as contributing to reduced investor participation.

Melbourne reporting indicated that the investor share of purchases had fallen from approximately 24.3% to 20.7% following the Budget.

Investors were therefore required to pay close attention to net rental returns after tax, insurance, maintenance, compliance and vacancy costs. Properties with reliable tenant demand and low ongoing expenses remained better positioned than those supported only by broad suburb-growth expectations.

Population Growth

Population growth, interstate migration and the continued need for housing remained supportive in several markets, particularly Queensland and Perth.

These factors did not remove short-term affordability constraints, but they continued to support underlying housing demand.

Housing Supply Challenges

Australia’s housing shortage and limited construction supply remained supportive over the longer term, even while borrowing conditions reduced immediate purchasing power.

The market was being shaped by two opposing forces: weak short-term affordability and strong long-term housing need.

This tension remained central to the Residential Property Market Australia, wider Australian Housing Trends and the broader Australian Real Estate Market.

Market Outlook for August 2026

Melbourne Forecast

Auction activity was likely to remain subdued through early August. Melbourne could continue to record stronger preliminary rates if listing volumes remained constrained, but final results would provide the more reliable measure.

A sustained recovery would require several consecutive weeks of stronger final clearance rates, fewer withdrawals and fewer price adjustments.

The Housing Market Forecast Australia therefore remained cautious, with the Melbourne Housing Market likely to continue rewarding accurately priced and well-presented properties.

Sydney Expectations

Sydney was expected to remain particularly sensitive to interest-rate expectations and policy uncertainty.

The high number of withdrawals suggested that private negotiation and pre-auction sales could remain important. Well-priced family homes could still perform, but premium, highly leveraged and renovation-heavy properties were likely to face greater resistance.

Regional Victoria Outlook

Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo were expected to continue attracting buyers looking for value outside Melbourne. However, performance was likely to remain specific to the suburb and property.

Affordability, access to services, employment, transport and the amount of immediate work required would continue to influence buyer decisions across the Regional Victoria Property market.

What Buyers Should Expect

Buyers were likely to retain negotiating power where auctions passed in, campaigns were withdrawn or asking prices were revised.

Brisbane’s wider property market could remain resilient, although its auction channel was likely to stay weak. Adelaide and Perth continued to benefit from tighter housing supply, but affordability was becoming a stronger constraint.

The Reserve Bank’s August interest-rate decision was expected to be the next major influence. An increase could reduce borrowing capacity further and extend buyer-favourable conditions. A stable decision might provide some confidence, although it was unlikely to reverse the cautious direction immediately.

This outlook remained a key part of the Housing Market Forecast Australia and the latest Weekly Property Market Report Australia.

Practical Advice for Buyers, Sellers & Investors

Buying in Today’s Market

Buyers should secure finance approval and understand how a possible interest-rate increase could affect their borrowing capacity and repayments.

Recent comparable sales should carry more weight than the quoted range. Buyers should also allow for renovation, owners corporation, insurance and maintenance costs.

Where an auction passes in or is withdrawn, buyers should remain engaged. These campaigns may create useful negotiation opportunities, provided the property remains suitable and due diligence is complete.

Selling Successfully

Sellers should price their property using recent comparable evidence rather than results achieved during stronger market conditions. Repeated buyer feedback should be treated as meaningful market information.

The property should be presented carefully before launch, and reserve expectations should reflect genuine buyer demand.

A credible pre-auction offer should be considered objectively where confirmed bidder numbers are limited.

Rental Property Investors

Investors should assess net rental returns after tax, insurance, maintenance, compliance and vacancy expenses.

Property-specific research remains essential. Reliable tenant demand, manageable ongoing costs and access to employment and services should be considered rather than relying only on broad suburb-growth headlines.

Property owners can contact Ham Kerr Property for property management and investment property guidance across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Preparing for Auction

Before auction day, vendors should set the reserve, minimum acceptable price, preferred settlement terms and post-auction negotiation approach.

Buyers should have finance approval, review comparable sales, complete due diligence and set a clear limit. They should also be prepared to negotiate after the auction if the property passes in.

Owners can learn more through About Ham Kerr Property or speak with the team through Contact Ham Kerr Property.

Weekly Market Summary

This Australia Weekly Property Market Report recorded a preliminary combined capital-city clearance rate of approximately 52.4%. Volumes increased by about 4% over the week but remained 16.9% below the corresponding period in 2025.

Victoria recorded a 54% realestate.com.au clearance rate from 622 available results, with 156 pass-ins and 129 withdrawals. The REIV recorded a higher 75% result from 349 reported auctions because of its different reporting pool and methodology.

New South Wales recorded a 45% clearance rate, with 210 withdrawals and 88 pass-ins. Queensland remained the weakest major auction market, with a 29% realestate.com.au result and a preliminary Brisbane rate of 30.5% from Cotality. South Australia cleared 50%, while the ACT recorded 49%.

Affordable and scarce family homes continued to perform more strongly than prestige, investor-oriented or renovation-heavy properties. Buyer negotiating power remained strong where auctions passed in, campaigns were withdrawn or asking prices were revised.

Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo continued to attract activity, but results remained highly localised. 

FAQ

1. What is the Australia Weekly Property Market Report?

The Australia Weekly Property Market Report summarises auction activity, housing trends, buyer demand, vendor behaviour and property market conditions across Australia’s major cities and regional markets.

2. How did Australia’s property market perform during the week ending 26 July 2026?

The national market recorded a modest improvement in preliminary auction results. However, buyer caution, pass-ins and vendor withdrawals continued to influence overall performance.

3. What happened in Melbourne’s housing market this week?

Melbourne recorded improved preliminary auction activity, but buyers remained price-sensitive. Negotiation opportunities continued to increase because of the high number of pass-ins, withdrawals and adjusted asking prices.

4. Why were there so many withdrawn auctions?

Properties may be withdrawn because buyer demand is insufficient, a sale has occurred before auction, the vendor’s circumstances have changed or the campaign is moving to private treaty.

5. Is Sydney’s property market slowing?

Sydney’s auction market recorded challenging conditions during the week, with a 45% clearance rate and a high number of withdrawn campaigns.

6. Which Regional Victoria areas remain attractive for buyers?

Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo continued to attract buyers seeking relative value, access to employment and services, and homes outside metropolitan Melbourne. Results remained specific to the suburb and property.

7. How are interest rates affecting Australia’s housing market?

Higher repayments continued to reduce borrowing capacity and made buyers more cautious. This also influenced vendor pricing and negotiation strategies.

8. Is this currently a good market for buyers?

Many buyers had greater negotiating power because of the high number of pass-ins, withdrawals, price adjustments and wider choice in several markets.

9. What should property sellers do in the current market?

Sellers should use recent comparable evidence, prepare the property carefully, set realistic reserve expectations and remain flexible during negotiations.

10. How can Ham Kerr Property help?

Ham Kerr Property provides professional guidance across buying, selling, investing and residential property management throughout Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, helping clients make informed decisions based on current market conditions.

Disclaimer: This report provides general property market information only and does not constitute financial, legal, taxation or investment advice. Auction results and clearance rates may be preliminary and can change as additional outcomes are reported. Readers should obtain independent professional advice before making property or investment decisions.