National Listings Drop Sparks Call From Raine & Horne For Sellers to Beat The Autumn Market bottleneck

Leading property group Raine & Horne says Australia is in the grip of a tight sellers’ market as Open for Inspection attendances surged 92.6% year-on-year (YOY) in November, while listings nationally were 14.2% lower.

The shortage of listings closely matches data from research firm Cotality, which reports a 13.8% YOY decline in listings across the combined capital cities. Raine & Horne data goes further, incorporating regional property markets.

Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of the Raine & Horne Property Group, said, “The near-doubling of buyers attending open for inspections indicates the intense competition we are seeing between buyers at present.

“Lack of stock for sale coupled with lower interest rates and the expansion of the Federal Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme is creating a trifecta of factors driving values higher.

“This is seeing vendors achieve significant premiums for their homes, with the value of settled sales 21% higher YOY in November 2025.”

Property owners urged to list ahead of autumn

Long term Raine & Horne data indicates that Open Home attendances are traditionally lower at the start of a new year.

This means the current market provides a valuable opportunity, allowing vendors to maximise their home’s sale value and achieve a prompt sale.

Paul Pettenon, Principal of Raine & Horne Concord/Strathfield, in Sydney’s Inner West, said January remained a strategic time to sell, driven by heightened online buyer activity over the Christmas break.

“That’s the time of year when people are home, off work and on holidays, so they naturally spend more time browsing property online. Traffic on realestate.com.au and Domain is at its highest over the Christmas period, which is why many sellers aim to capture that momentum by launching their properties in mid-January.”

Mr Pettenon also noted that with Chinese New Year falling in late February (17 February – 3 March 2026) compared to 2025 when it started on 29 January, market activity is expected to slow in Sydney’s Inner West for several weeks as many buyers take extended holidays.

“While not all buyers are directly linked to the festival, the disruption to travel and broader attention on it can temporarily affect buyer demand and, in turn, vendor confidence.

“This makes January an especially strategic window for sellers, allowing them to capitalise on stronger buyer momentum before the seasonal pause of Chinese New Year sets in.”

Brendan Saunders, Principal of Raine & Horne, Strathalbyn in outer metropolitan Adelaide, said, “I’d definitely recommend sellers reach out to an agent now to arrange an appraisal of the property’s value.

“We usually hit the ground running when local businesses re-open on about 5 January. Stock levels are usually so low then that people are waiting to buy, and this is usually a valuable time for vendors to take their properties to market and start hosting open for inspections,” he added.

“Use the festive season as the perfect time to get your property prepped and ready for a New Year listing. The market isn’t as seasonal as it used to be, and I can confidently say there will be buyers actively looking at the start of January.”

Buyers with home loan pre-approval are ready to buy

In Perth, Ms Shabina Yakub, Principal of Raine & Horne Landsdale, said, “We are telling sellers to get in and get an appraisal now, don't wait till next year.

“2026 is almost upon us. So at least get an appraisal and get something happening early. Have the property listed in the first weeks of January rather than waiting until later in summer.”

“Don't wait for the autumn market because we could see an increase in interest rates, which would remove a few buyers.

“I have buyers ready to go right now, and I’ve talked to quite a few brokers, who have customers with a pre-approved home loan ready to go,” added Ms Yakub.

Tech allows buyers to stay in the market even when holidaying 

Luke McAuliffe, Sales Agent at Raine & Horne Gungahlin in the ACT says the Canberra market is seeing robust buyer activity, with auction clearance rates typically above 60% since August, which is high for the Canberra market. 

“Many people wait for traditional selling seasons though this is when stock is generally at its highest level. Marketing at times such as early January or outside of traditional periods gives a strong chance of not being lost in the mix,” added Mr McAuliffe.

“Sellers need to bear in mind that technology allows buyers to view homes anywhere, any time – and not being able to physically inspect if on holidays does not mean they won’t buy.

“If sellers want a ‘Sold’ sticker on their signboard early in 2026, now is the time to start speaking with your agent,” said Mr McAuliffe.

Attract interstate relocators in January

Margaret Vote, Principal of Raine & Horne Wynnum/Manly in the Bayside area of Brisbane, said sellers targeting buyers from the southern states should factor in seasonal relocation patterns.

“For many sellers, it actually makes more sense to list in the New Year. Traditionally, locals begin travelling from mid-December, and interstate buyers from the southern states don’t typically arrive until around Christmas,” said Mrs Vote, who currently has several quality properties set to go live in the New Year.

“Those sellers who list in January rather than waiting for autumn, will often attract relocating buyers with families who are focused on securing a home in time for the new school year.

“For these buyers, a late February or even March move-in still works.”

Mr Raine said, “We often see a bottleneck of listings in early autumn, and while this is good for buyers, it can mean a less rewarded sale price or more protracted selling time for vendors.