The Dangers in Trying to Predict the Property Market

A comment I hear frequently from buyers is:
“Maybe we should wait. Interest rates are coming down. The market will be better this time next year.”

Since 2022, I’ve heard variations of this again and again. Yet the reality is clear: the market has not improved in the way many expected.

Why Forecasting the Market Is Unreliable

The property market is influenced by a complex mix of factors: interest rates, supply levels, government policy, inflation, construction costs, migration, and overall economic confidence. These variables interact in unpredictable ways, and even economists and major banks often revise their outlooks multiple times per year.

Relying on predictions—especially those based on one factor like interest rates—can lead to missed opportunities. Some of the common issues we see when buyers delay include:

• Prices stabilising or rising while waiting for a “drop”

• Increased competition when more buyers re-enter the market simultaneously

• Lower interest rates offset by tighter lending criteria

• Missing out on properties that suit long-term needs

By the time the market feels “safe,” it has often already shifted.

A Better Approach: Focus on Your Personal Market

Instead of trying to time the market, it is far more reliable to focus on your own circumstances:

• Your financial readiness

• Your long-term goals

• Your preferred suburbs

• The opportunities available today

If a property aligns with your needs and budget, that is often a stronger indicator than any forecast.

The reality is simple: no one can consistently and accurately predict where the market will be in 6–12 months.

The Best Time to Act Is When You Are Ready

There is no perfect market—only the right moment for you. Making decisions based on your personal situation, rather than speculative market predictions, leads to far more confident and successful outcomes.