There’s plenty of talk in the media about a declining real estate market at the moment — but a softening market is exactly when buyers have the upper hand.
Our opinion is backed by purchases we made during the previous declining market in the early COVID lockdown — including a three-bedroom townhouse for $375,000, which has since appreciated to more than double that amount.
There’s a lot of talk about a ‘sticky market’ at the moment — where everyone is holding firm on their expectations, price included. That firmness has another effect, too: a number of sellers are reluctant to list their property at all, wary of watching it sit unsold for a while. The upshot is fewer listings than the headlines would have you believe.
Meanwhile, demand is quietly building on the other side. Buyer numbers at open homes are already on the rise — an early sign the bounce-back has begun. According to PropTrack (realestate.com.au’s property data arm), median dwelling values on the Gold Coast rose 0.05 per cent in July. It’s a modest lift, but the direction is telling: if you can afford to buy now, don’t wait for the market to shift further upwards.
This means getting your pre-approval and other paperwork sorted, so you can calmly make an offer when the right property comes along.
While the PropTrack Home Price Index for July 2026 showed Gold Coast home prices defied the 0.3 per cent national drop, in reality many vendors who previously held unrealistic expectations have decided to price their homes appropriately — and are having success.
While quite a few Gold Coast buyers and vendors are showing caution, the trifecta of a growing interstate migration population, limited housing supply, and the region’s desirability as a place to live or own an investment property means that if you do hesitate, you’ll have a whole heap of competition from buyers who will also jump in once consumer sentiment improves.
If you do decide to purchase now there are several benefits — including the opportunity to be discerning and choose wisely, without the pressure you would have felt only a few months ago.
Another advantage is the leverage to write more buyer-friendly clauses into the contract — the kind that simply wouldn’t have got across the line earlier in the year. That might be the vendor including the TV or the lounge room furniture, or a professional bond clean before settlement. They’re small wins on their own, but they add up when sellers are more willing to deal.
A further consideration is that if the federal government tightens lending criteria, you may not have the serviceability in the future that you have now.
If you’re wanting to upgrade the family home, remember that properties at the lower end of the market have more buyers on them than those in the mid-market. This means you’ll have the time to find the right property to upgrade to, without feeling as much pressure, you could even be better off with the changeover.
We are finding that the property owners who are currently selling are mostly genuine vendors — looking to relocate for work or to be closer to family, to right-size as they move into retirement, or to buy a ‘lock up and leave’ residence for the next stage of their lives as empty nesters.
At Maynard Property Group, we can ensure clear communication, documented agreements, and professional guidance — but most importantly, we can help you secure your ideal property — one that’s financially sound and something you’ll love for years to come.
If you have any questions, book a no-obligation Discovery Call.
*Updated August 2026