January 2026 Market Update: Trends Across Regional Victoria

January saw more activity than usual for the year, following a drop in auction activity over the holidays. 

Based on information from realestate.com.au, the following chart summarises the clearance rates for Australia’s major Eastern capitals: 

• 61% in Victoria 
• 33% in New South Wales 
• 54% in Queensland 
• 77% in South Australia 
• 40% in Western Australia 
• 71% in Australian Capital Territory 

There is steady buyer interest in Victoria, with more than 1,000 private sales recorded. Clearance rates vary widely between regions, but buyers continue to focus on properties that are priced in line with current market conditions.

Key statistics for the Victorian market 

• 61% clearance rate 
• 52 auctions are scheduled 
• 15 auction sales 
• 10 sales prior to the auction
• 15 unsold or pass-ins 
• 1 withdrawal 
• 1033 private negotiations 

Melbourne market statistics 

No information about the Melbourne metro auction market has been recorded because there were so few auctions this week. 

Insights of regional Victoria 

• Private sales in Geelong were robust, with the majority of sales in the region falling between $800,000 and $920,000. 
• The Eastside properties of Ballarat have gained significant demand from buyers 
• Even though Bendigo’s overall auction results were not documented, personal observations indicated that there is a constant need for private sales and that they happen outside of the main auction locations. 

Patterns of these regional areas 

• The demand for regional Victorian properties and suburban Melbourne properties has been divided. 
• Buyers are very interested in suburban properties in desirable locations, regardless of price range.
• On the other hand, it seems that buyers are less interested in overpriced properties. 

Broader trends and auction dynamics 

The Victorian market’s key metrics, which display not only clearance rates but also pass-in rates and withdrawals, demonstrate how small sample sizes lead to greater variability in results, according to the Cotality Methodology. 

Across the median spectrum, property values are generally increasing. The capital city’s current property value is $991,000. The regional property value is $734,000. 

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Participants in the market 

• The strong population growth and the limited number of available properties have a significant impact on the housing sector. 
• According to the present data, interest rates are currently stable, and the RBA’s current policy is focused on containing inflation. 
• The media reports on budgetary constraints, but first-time homebuyers, for example, still bid at auctions. 

Crowd perspectives 

Customers: 

• To narrow down on suburb options, they use clearance statistics and private sale prices.
• They continue to assess properties that sellers have priced in line with the market.

Sellers:

• They are offering competitive prices for the properties. 
• To take advantage of pent-up demand, they market their properties in the early spring.

Investors: 

• They search for opportunities to buy suburban real estate as soon as possible.

Despite the figures, these factors and the most recent media projections indicate that 2026 will see some consistent growth, but with some minor setbacks. These projections will be primarily based on stable interest rates and a significant disparity between the supply and demand for housing.

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