PERTH PROPERTY MARKET COOLS AS LISTINGS TOP 7,000

For the first time in more than three years, Perth now has over 7,000 properties for sale, with active listings hitting 7,335 at the end of August. That's up 7.8% from July and a massive 146% higher than this time last year.

Before sellers panic, it's important to understand what's happening. New listings haven't exploded. Instead, homes are simply taking longer to sell as buyer demand softens. Interest rate rises, tighter borrowing conditions and Federal Budget changes have all taken some heat out of the market.

The good news? Perth prices are still holding up surprisingly well.

The median house price increased 1.1% in August to $960,000, while unit prices rose 1.3% to $690,000. Annual growth remains strong at 18.5% for houses and 22.6% for units.

Some of the standout performers were Hamilton Hill, Greenwood, Scarborough, Secret Harbour and East Cannington, while Como, Fremantle and Mount Lawley led the way in the unit market.

Homes are taking longer to sell, with the median selling time now sitting at 23 days for houses and 21 days for units. That's noticeably slower than a year ago but still relatively quick by historical standards.

What About Rents?

Despite softer sales conditions, the rental market remains extremely tight.

House rents remain steady at $750 per week and units at $700 per week. Available rental stock actually fell during August, with just 2,085 properties available for rent across Perth.

Properties are still leasing in around two weeks, confirming demand remains strong and rental supply remains well below what's needed.

My Take

The Perth market is no longer the frenzy we saw earlier this year, but it certainly isn't crashing. Buyers now have more choice and a little more negotiating power, while sellers need to be realistic on price and presentation.

For investors, the rental market remains the standout performer, with strong demand and low vacancy levels continuing to support rental returns.

The market is cooling, not collapsing. That's a big difference.

Perth Snapshot - August 2026

• Median House Price: $960,000 (+1.1%)
• Median Unit Price: $690,000 (+1.3%)
• Median House Rent: $750/week
• Median Unit Rent: $700/week
• Properties For Sale: 7,335
• Properties For Rent: 2,085
• Median Selling Time: 23 days
• Median Leasing Time: 15 days

Bottom line: Buyers have more options, sellers need to adjust expectations, and landlords are still in a strong position. Perth's property market is cooling into a more balanced market rather than falling off a cliff.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS & GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!! 

PERTH PROPERTY MARKET FINALLY FEELING THE SLOWDOWN

Australia's housing downturn is accelerating, with 93% of capital city suburbs recording price declines over winter. National home values have now fallen for five consecutive months and sit 3.6% below their March peak.

While Sydney remains the hardest-hit market, down 7.1% from its peak, Perth is no longer immune to the cooling trend. Perth home values fell 0.8% in August, matching Adelaide and reflecting a broader slowdown spreading across the country. (Really 0.8% that's nothing to compared to all the states and we dont feel that the Western Suburbs under the million have declined at all - it's best to talk to the people on the ground)

A key concern for Perth is the sharp drop in buyer activity. Alongside Brisbane and Sydney, Perth recorded one of the biggest declines in sales volumes, with transaction numbers falling more than 20% compared to a year ago. As buyer demand weakens, properties are taking longer to sell and listings are building up. (It's called we have gone to a "normal" market; we are still experiencing a reasonable number of buyers. First home buyers dont come to the properties over $750,000 unless they have Mum & Dad with them)

Across Australia, higher interest rates, affordability pressures and reduced buyer confidence are weighing on the market. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra have all recorded larger monthly declines, while regional markets are also feeling the pressure. (By the number of people that I see in the restaurants during the week & weekends you wouldn't think people are having a hard time budgeting at all !!) 

The growing number of properties available for sale is creating a more balanced market and giving buyers greater choice. However, lower buyer confidence means many are still sitting on the sidelines. (Probably because agents that have not caught up yet with what's happening are still promising their vendors - sellers big prices)

For Perth homeowners, the market remains stronger than many eastern states, but the latest figures suggest the rapid growth seen over recent years is easing as housing conditions soften nationwide. (We are still getting so many people coming to WA for the best life our secret is out and now we are getting invaded).

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION & GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!!

PERTH RENTS CONTINUE TO CLIMB

 Perth's rental market remains one of the strongest in the country, with median weekly rents now sitting at $750, up from $747 previously and $700 a year ago.

While the latest increase of 0.4% may seem modest, rents are still 7.1% higher than this time last year, highlighting the ongoing pressure facing tenants across the city.

With demand continuing to outstrip supply, Perth remains a challenging market for renters and a strong one for property investors.

Key Numbers:

• Median rent: $750 per week
• Previous median rent: $747 per week
• Same time last year: $700 per week
• Quarterly growth: 0.4%
• Annual growth: 7.1%

I cannot say that the Government was way off in its predictions about rents increasing by $2 per week - it's a joke. I have some compassion for the tenants trying to get into the rental market today as the rents have skyrocketed. 

Just bearing in mind that landlords also have had to bear a lot of costs - everything has gone up for them as well its such a vicious cycle.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!! 

SUNCORP CUSTOMERS SET FOR BIG MOVE TO ANZ

More than 1.2 million Suncorp Bank customers will begin transitioning to ANZ from June 2027 as ANZ's $4.9 billion takeover moves ahead. (I am with ANZ and in the last 2-3 years I have moved 5 of my accounts to Macquarie - god help everyone) 

The change will affect everyday banking customers, mortgage holders, brokers and loan customers, making it one of the largest banking migrations in Australian history. (I worry how long you will have to wait on the phone to get anyone - you cannot just walk into the Bank and expect to see someone you have to make an appointment) 

Finance commentator David Koch says the merger is a timely reminder for Australians to review their banking arrangements; compare products and ensure they're still getting the best deal.  (If you are not doing that anyway you might be getting charged a lot higher interest) 

Customers should also be on high alert for scams. Major banking changes often create opportunities for fraudsters who may send fake emails, text messages or phone calls pretending to be from the bank. (Hopefully people will pick up the phone to talk to the ANZ - you might get through within 45 minutes)

ANZ and Suncorp have committed to making the transition as simple and secure as possible, with customers gaining access to ANZ's larger branch network, banking specialists and anti-fraud technology.

For now, customers don't need to take any action, but it's worth staying informed and watching for official communications from the bank.

Tip: Never click links in unexpected messages about your bank. If in doubt, contact your bank directly using official contact details.

More information is available on the Suncorp Bank website.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!! 

BROKER UPDATE FOR THIS WEEK 7/9/2026

 This weeks report from Brandon Ngadino - checkmyrate.au  0412 270 243 

Here's Your Broker Monday Market Update

 

Fixed vs Variable

Our recommendation remains opting for variable rates, with fixed currently sitting above many variable rates available in the market. With continued economic uncertainty, banks are likely to keep fixed rates priced at a premium until there is greater certainty around the direction of interest rates.

 

Refinancing on the Rise

We’ve noticed a significant shift towards refinancing, with more customers exploring what options are available and whether their current lender remains competitive. Banks are also becoming increasingly aggressive with pricing and discounts as they compete to retain and attract customers.

 

Interesting Fact 💡

A $10,000 credit card limit can reduce your borrowing capacity by roughly $45,000–$50,000, even if you pay the balance off in full every month. It’s the credit limit, not the outstanding balance that lenders generally assess when calculating your borrowing capacity.

 

 

Competitve Rates Snapshot Based on $750k loan, 70% LVR.
Owner Occupied (P&I)	Investment (P&I)	Investment (Interest Only)
≈ 5.95%	≈ 6.19%	≈ 6.39%

Before you go shopping for a home/investment you are best to get pre-approved for your finance then there is no mistake on how much you can borrow.  Also, you won't be going to home opens that are way above your budget.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!! 

THREE-STRIKE EVICTIONS: A SWING AND A MISS

As featured in Australian Property Investor (API) Magazine

Western Australia's proposed Residential Tenancies Act reforms continue to generate significant discussion across the property industry, particularly around the removal of "no grounds" terminations. REIWA President Suzanne Brown recently shared REIWA's position on the proposed changes, highlighting concerns about the practical implications for landlords, property managers, tenants, and the broader rental market.

The article below was originally published in Australian Property Investor (API) Magazine and provides valuable insight into REIWA's recommendations and concerns regarding the proposed reforms.

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Three-Strikes Evictions: A Swing and a Miss

By Suzanne Brown, REIWA President

Over the past month, REIWA has been busy providing feedback to the WA Government on its proposed reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). One of the key changes involved the removal of no grounds terminations.

As part of the government's communication around this change, the Department of Consumer Protection noted:

"What changes is that tenants can't be asked to leave 'just because' the landlord does not want to renew the tenancy agreement."

REIWA remains opposed to the removal of no grounds terminations. A no grounds termination is not used "just because" a lessor doesn't want to renew an agreement. It is used to end tenancies where there has been a build-up of issues over time, such as repeated rent arrears, property damage, antisocial behaviour and illegal activity.

As part of our research for our response to the government, REIWA asked its members why they typically chose to end periodic tenancies or not renew fixed-term leases. We received 549 responses. The reasons provided were not arbitrary. They included:

• Repeated rent arrears – 86%
• Repeated issues over a period of time (other than rent arrears) – 75%
• Improper maintenance/cleanliness – 63%
• Property damage – 63%
• Antisocial behaviour – 53%
• Threats/safety concerns (for example, to a property manager, neighbours or contractors) – 49%
• Drug use or other illegal behaviour – 46%
• Breach of strata by-laws – 34%

The RTA reforms propose a range of grounds the government considers acceptable. One of these includes termination for repeated breaches.

"The RTA will be amended to include a mechanism for dealing with repeated breaches of a rental agreement by a lessor or tenant."

"It is proposed that the lessor or tenant can apply to the Court to terminate the agreement after three serious breaches of the same provision in a 12-month period. The Magistrates Court may consider a number of factors before making a possession order including the impact of termination on the tenant and the impact of the breaches on the lessor, other residents and neighbours."

A "serious breach" in relation to a tenant's conduct may include:

• The tenant's conduct at or on premises (for example, nuisance)
• Non-compliance with a body corporate by-law
• Threats to agents, lessors or neighbours

We broadly support repeated breaches as an acceptable ground for termination. This will cover issues that are not appropriately addressed by legislation and are instead currently addressed via a no grounds termination.

However, we have recommended a number of changes to this ground.

Firstly, the ground shouldn't be limited to three breaches of the same type. It doesn't make sense that a person could engage in nuisance twice, break strata by-laws twice, and threaten agents, lessors or neighbours twice, and still not have their lease terminated. A total of three breaches over a 12-month period, made up of any combination of the items listed as serious breaches, should be a ground for termination.

REIWA also believes a three-strikes system should not automatically require a court order, provided that instances of breaches are appropriately documented, communicated to the tenant, and neither party disputes the material facts.

Secondly, the ground for repeated breaches should be expanded to include non-payment of rent, late payment of rent and non-payment of utilities.

Consistent late payment of rent was raised by REIWA members as an area where property managers lacked adequate grounds to terminate a lease, particularly in situations where tenants were consistently in arrears but only paid once a breach notice was issued.

Thirdly, we believe the definition of a serious breach should also include a failure to adequately care for the premises, intentional property damage, and a failure to report damage not caused by the tenant that requires immediate and urgent repair.

Finally, we strongly believe the last "serious breach" on the list, threats to agents, lessors or neighbours, needs to be clarified in terms of where it sits in the legislation, expanded in regard to whom it covers, and broadened to include any form of harassment, intimidation, threat or illegal behaviour.

In the consultation paper, a tenant threatening the lessor or property manager is listed as a ground for termination. However, threats to agents, lessors and neighbours are listed as a serious breach. It does not make sense that threatening the lessor or property manager could be grounds for termination in its own right but a tenant can threaten neighbours three times before termination can be considered.

We recommend it be removed from the repeated serious breaches ground and be a ground for termination in its own right.

This ground should be expanded to include behaviour directed at agents, lessors, neighbours, contractors, and anyone else required to attend the premises during the tenancy.

It should also go beyond threats and include any form of harassment, intimidation, threats or illegal behaviour. In addition, this should apply to the tenant's visitors and associates.

Consultation on the reforms continues. REIWA remains committed to ensuring the outcome is workable and balanced. We will continue to strive to ensure the changes introduce as little friction into the WA rental market as possible.

However, it must be noted that the need to repeatedly breach tenants in order to manage a tenancy that might not work at some point is going to make the system a lot more complicated, costly and adversarial. No grounds terminations were simpler for everyone and, in many ways, kinder for tenants.

Suzanne Brown
REIWA President

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS & GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!! 

WHY THE SWITCHBOARD HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF A MODERN HOME

Over the last few years, I've noticed a significant shift in the way Australian homes use electricity.

More people are working from home, solar panels are becoming standard, electric vehicles are on the rise, and smart home technology is now common in many households. As a result, the humble switchboard is doing far more than it was ever expected to do a decade ago.

What was once simply a compliance requirement has become the central hub for managing and protecting a home's electrical system.

With households investing heavily in solar, batteries, EV chargers and expensive electronic devices, it's more important than ever to ensure the electrical infrastructure can safely support these demands both now and in the future.

1. Protecting People and Property Starts with the Basics

Electrical safety should always be the first priority.

Many electrical incidents and house fires can be traced back to overloaded circuits, ageing wiring, or inadequate protection systems. That's why modern switchboards are designed to support individual circuit protection through RCBOs, helping to safeguard both people and property.

One thing electricians will appreciate is the additional space available within newer switchboard designs. Better cable management, improved airflow and easier access all contribute to cleaner installations and more efficient fault finding when issues arise.

2. Surge Protection Is No Longer a Luxury

Most homes today contain thousands, and often tens of thousands, of dollars worth of sensitive electronic equipment.

From televisions and computers to smart appliances and security systems, our reliance on technology means we need to think differently about protecting those investments.

Power surges caused by storms, network switching, or electrical faults can damage equipment instantly or gradually reduce its lifespan over time.

For that reason, I believe surge protection is becoming less of an optional extra and more of a standard consideration for modern homes.

3. Reducing Fire Risk Through Better Protection

Electrical fires remain a serious concern across Australia.

Many aren't caused by major electrical faults, but by smaller issues such as loose connections, damaged conductors or deteriorating wiring that can go unnoticed for long periods.

Advances in protection technology now allow electricians to identify and respond to these issues much earlier than traditional protection devices alone.

For homes in higher-risk environments, such as timber construction, rural properties, or homes containing valuable assets, these additional protection measures can provide valuable peace of mind.

4. Planning for the Future

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is designing electrical systems solely around their current needs.

The reality is that most homes will require additional electrical capacity over time.

Whether it's installing solar, adding a battery, upgrading to an EV charger, or introducing new appliances, electrical demand is only moving in one direction.

That's why future-proofing has become such an important consideration. A well-designed switchboard should allow for growth and upgrades without requiring significant rework down the track.

The Bottom Line

In my view, the switchboard has become one of the most important yet often overlooked components of a modern home.

As homes become more connected, more electrified and increasingly reliant on technology, having the right protection and capacity in place isn't just about compliance. It's about safety, reliability and being prepared for the future.

Whether you're building, renovating, investing or upgrading an existing property, it's worth having a conversation with your electrician about whether your switchboard is equipped to meet both today's needs and tomorrow's demands.

After all, every modern home relies on electricity. The switchboard is what keeps it all running safely.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS & GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!!