Is Perth finally becoming a buyer’s market?
For the past few years, buying property in Perth has sometimes felt like trying to board a train at full speed. Low supply, strong demand and sales moving at a breakneck pace gave most buyers little room to move. See a property you like, make an offer and hope you got there first.
It’s a little different these days.
There’s more supply, and homes are taking longer to sell, which means buyers have more time to think and negotiate. If the numbers don’t stack up, they’re more confident in walking away.
But does that mean Perth is finally in a buyer’s market?
We would say, not quite. However, the balance is shifting, and for investors waiting for that opportunity, it’s worth a closer look.
More properties means less pressure
One of the biggest changes we’ve seen at Xceed is simply choice.
According to REIWA, there were 7,076 properties listed for sale across Perth in the week ending 16 August 2026. More than double the number available at the same time last year.
Homes are also taking longer to sell. In July, Perth houses took a median of 23 days to sell, compared with just 13 days a year earlier.
After years of exceptionally tight conditions, that’s a big difference.
It means buyers can actually take their time and do their homework again. There’s more opportunity to compare properties, assess the numbers and negotiate instead of feeling pressured to make an offer immediately.
Though more choice doesn’t necessarily mean weaker demand. Supply is still an issue, and the fact of the matter is that Perth hasn’t suddenly produced thousands of extra homes. Listings have returned towards more normal levels while buyer activity has cooled.
In other words, we’re moving towards a more balanced market, not necessarily a cheaper one.
The rental market tells a different story
While properties for sale have become considerably easier to find, rental supply remains tight.
Perth’s rental vacancy rate was 2.2% in July. Between 2.5% and 3.5% represents a balanced rental market, says REIWA, which means Perth’s still experiencing a shortage.
There were 2,116 properties available for rent in the week ending 16 August, down 8.5% compared with the same time last year.
Even with rental growth stabilising recently, the underlying problem hasn’t disappeared: Perth still needs more rental properties to meet demand. The combination of greater choice and lack of rental supply presents an opportunity for savvy investors that hasn’t really existed for some time.
So, is now a good time to invest?
There’s never a universal “right time” to buy property. It always depends on your situation, the property, the suburb, the price. But the current market is creating an interesting combination.
More choice for buyers, less competition at the point of purchase, and continued demand from tenants. That can be a more productive environment for investors, as opposed to buying into a market where every property attracts a snaking queue of competing offers.
With more listings, you can afford to be more selective. As rental supply remains tight, a well-chosen investment can come to market with strong tenant demand.
A better market for considered buyers
Calling Perth a buyer’s market probably goes too far. However, it’s certainly a sea change from where we’ve been these last few years.
The shift away from extreme seller-friendly conditions is giving buyers more options and more time. For sellers, there’s an increasing need to meet the market.
If you’re thinking of entering the market right now, it pays to know exactly what conditions you’re working with. Of course, the Xceed team is always here to point you in the right direction.