Login
The perfect time to sell: Spring vendors set to benefit from listing shortage
Sellers are set to benefit from the spring market, as buyer demand outstrips supply nationwide, driving strong competition for available properties.
According to LJ Hooker’s recent Australian Listings Report 2025, now is the perfect time to sell, with the number of property listings sitting nearly 20 per cent lower than the 10-year average across the country.
LJ Hooker’s head of research and business intelligence, Mathew Tiller, said the shortage of properties hitting the market, combined with a surge in demand coming into the spring selling season, has placed vendors in an ideal position.
“The shortage of listings suggests sellers are holding out for more rate cuts, looking to cash in on further borrowing capacity among buyers,” Tiller said.
“Sellers who are holding off until the RBA makes its next move may become lost in the crowd, competing against more sellers in their neighbourhood.”
According to the data, since the beginning of FY2024–25, only 470,000 properties have been listed, compared to 580,000 residential properties in FY2015–16, despite significant population growth.
The report said buyers in Brisbane, Darwin, and Hobart have been feeling the most pressure, with listings falling between 20 and 30 per cent.
In Australia’s largest markets, Sydney and Melbourne, listings have also declined by 11.4 and 8.6 per cent, respectively.
LJ Hooker Mona Vale agent and auctioneer Josephine Cowling said sellers who remained flexible and had prepared their property with a coat of fresh paint and neutral flooring would be the most attractive option for buyers.
“If buyers can find what they are looking for and get an extended settlement, that often makes them want to act, and they tend to jump in at a good price because that solves their problem” Cowling said.
While demand had put sellers in the driver’s seat, Cowling said it was essential for them to remember that waiting for a better offer isn’t always the best choice.
“Sometimes, their first offer is their best offer,” she said.
“Buyers are jumping on it because they want to get it off the market, so they are going to put their best foot forward.”
Similarly, Cowling said buyers need to be open and upfront with agents to achieve the best results.
“Agents aren’t mind readers. If they are sitting back and not advising the agent because they are playing it cool, the agent may not be keeping them involved,” she said.
She said that buyers who were transparent and had their finances ready and pre-approved would give themselves the best chance of securing the property they were after.
Additionally, to set themselves apart from the competition, Cowling said that for buyers who were putting their offer into a contract, having a deposit ready and considering waiving their five-day cooling-off period would improve their chances of getting a property further.
“That will put them on the front foot and show that you are there to do business,” Cowling said.