A New Leaf.

If you are already back on your email welcome to 2025, I hope that your Christmas break was filled with joy and happiness. 

On a personal note my family welcomed another baby boy to our clan which made ours just a little more special/sleepless.

This week my phone has gone from zero to a hundred, with buyers and sellers checking in, the big question…how is the market?

Whilst it’s too early to call there are some lead indicators that we pay attention to this time of year that provide clues as to what conditions may lay ahead. Before I go there a quick re-cap on how 2024 finished up.

In the later part of the year the tide ran out, most buyers became extremely cautious and picky, many were simply unprepared to commit. Despite some agents claiming the market was hot, it wasn’t.

The interest rate narrative was confusing, some reports suggesting cuts and others hinting at possible rate hikes. This uncertainty combined with the US election and a raging war in the Middle East made playing conditions challenging…uncertainty wouldn’t lower its head.

In a matter of a few short weeks (and a couple of extra kilos) it would seem that the vibe may have changed. It now looks like rate cuts may be on the horizon and America has made its choice (I’ll leave that alone).

So at this time of year we quiz lawyers to see how many sale contracts they are preparing and property stylists to see how busy their projected pipelines are. At this point it looks like stock will stay relatively low, presumably undecided sellers will want to see how the market tracks before entering. 

Buyer enquiry has increased as well, so will this mean the property market is set to open stronger? My guess is probably a little, but there is always a but.

My sense is the uncertainty factor this year will be influenced by how much cray Trump returns with and at home Albo must call a Federal election by May.

Buckle up folks, we will just have to see how it all plays out.

Until next week, 

David Murphy