Incline Property
THERE has been a noticeable shift in the South East Queensland property market over recent months, and it is a shift worth paying attention to whether you are buying, selling, or simply watching the market.
Homes in established, owner-occupier suburbs that are presented well and ready to move into are still attracting strong interest and competitive offers.
These are the properties that consistently sell well, often at or near the upper end of vendor expectations. The buyers chasing them know what they want: a quality home in a good pocket, with little to no work required.
On the other hand, properties that need significant work, are poorly presented, or sit in less desirable locations are spending longer on the market.
Buyers today are more cautious about taking on renovation projects, with the cost of materials and trades still elevated, and finance conditions tighter than they were two years ago. The result is a market that increasingly rewards sellers who have invested in preparing their home properly before it hits the market.
A major trend that has seen meaningful change is negotiating power.
For the first time in several years, buyers have a stronger position at the table. Sellers who set unrealistic price expectations are finding their properties pass in, sit on the market, or require multiple price adjustments before attracting genuine interest.
Vendors who price realistically from the outset are achieving good results, often quickly, but those who chase the prices their neighbour got 18 months ago are increasingly being left behind.
For anyone considering selling, the message is clear. Price your property correctly from day one, present it as well as your budget allows, and choose an agent who understands the current conditions in your specific suburb rather than relying on outdated benchmarks.
The first three to four weeks on the market remain the most important, and getting the strategy right at the start makes the difference between a strong result and a frustrating campaign.
For buyers, the opportunity is real, but it is not unlimited.
The advantage now is that you have more time to think, more leverage to negotiate, and a better chance of buying without the panic that characterised the market two years ago.
SEQ remains one of the most dynamic and desirable property markets in the country.
The fundamentals supporting it, population growth, infrastructure investment, lifestyle appeal, and the long shadow of the 2032 Olympics, are not going anywhere.
