The Red Mist.

The silliest part of the silly season is nearly over and the 2025 market has officially re-opened, as expected new listings are popping up as well as some relaunches from late last year.

The buzz on the street is the high probability of an interest rate cut next week which in theory should bolster the market sentiment (the markets are factoring in a 92% probability that the cash rate will be cut by 0.25%…let’s see).

Market sentiment is a fickle thing, let’s face it…0.25% isn’t much of a shift but it will herald to cautious buyers that we are past the peak of this rate cycle.

On the other side of the ledger we have seen an increase in appraisal numbers which indicates sellers are feeling more optimistic about entering the market, hopefully ‘wait and see’ will be replaced with ‘let’s move forward’.

Speaking of appraisals, in the past week I’ve had two owners mention that other agents have warned them to not list with us because my family has recently welcomed a new baby over the Christmas period (waves to baby Matthew).

Seriously?!

The suggestion has been that I’m tired and therefore may not be on my normal ‘A’ game. There are no rules in real estate. *FYI I’m sleeping about as well as a high-functioning OCD small business owner ever has.

I find it very sad that many agents attack competitors in their sales pitch…I guess it should be taken as a compliment. In my view if an agent asks you who else you are talking to you should cross them off your list. Pitching against competitors rather than demonstrating value is a big red flag.

Hypocrisy in real estate is rife. Franchises try to look smaller, boutique offices try to look bigger…when will the industry learn to focus on the most important element…the customer?

Ok, rant over….I’m seeing red…can’t wait to see how Lewis goes at Ferrari (and of course how this next phase of the market plays out).

Until next week,

David Murphy