15/10/2026
Falling prices are changing the balance between buyers and sellers – but the slowdown isn't affecting every property equally.
Australia's median property price fell 0.7% in July, the largest monthly decline since December 2022, according to Cotality.
Prices were down 1.9% over the July quarter.
But there's an interesting divide underneath those headline numbers.
Expensive homes are falling faster
Over the three months to July:
Upper-quartile home values fell 3.2%.
Lower-quartile values actually rose 0.3%.
Buyers remain constrained by affordability, mortgage serviceability and cost-of-living pressures, while confidence is weaker than earlier in the year.
Sellers have taken longer to adjust, although Cotality says expectations are now beginning to shift.
For buyers, softer conditions may create more negotiating room – particularly at the higher end.
For sellers, realistic pricing may become increasingly important.
Knowing your borrowing ceiling before you negotiate can be especially valuable in a shifting market. Get in touch and we can work through the numbers.
