There’s rarely been a better time to sell since the boom of early–mid 2022, and just before the Reserve Bank began its rapid run of interest rate hikes, says Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne.

Australian housing values rose for the seventh straight month in August, according to Cotality (formerly CoreLogic). National dwelling values rose 0.7%, the fastest pace since May 2024. Meanwhile, average capital city prices increased by 0.8%. The property value upswing, which began in February 2025 following the first cash rate cut, has been reinforced by further RBA cuts in May and August.

The mid-sized capitals are again leading the growth cycle, with Brisbane (+1.2%) and Perth (+1.1%) topping the monthly gains, closely followed by Adelaide (+0.9%). Darwin also recorded a solid 1.0% rise in August, pushing values 10.2% higher over the past 12 months—the strongest year-on-year performance of any capital city.

From 1 October 2025, demand will be further fuelled as the federal government expands the Home Guarantee Scheme. Every first-home buyer, regardless of income, will be able to purchase with just a 5% deposit, while property price caps will rise to as much as $1.5 million in some locations, opening the door to thousands of additional buyers.

“While I applaud the Federal Government for this initiative, history shows that first-home buyer packages from both federal and state governments often have the opposite effect—artificially inflating prices at the lower end of the market and ultimately proving more beneficial for sellers than buyers,” Angus said.

Despite the favourable conditions for sellers, Raine & Horne’s latest figures show that many homeowners considering a sale are still fence sitting. Appraisals are down 15% year-on-year, while listings sit 9% lower heading into the traditional spring market. Meanwhile, Cotality reports national auction clearance rates have climbed to 70%—the highest since early 2024.

“But sitting on the fence can be uncomfortable, and sellers risk getting splinters if they wait too long,” Angus warned.

“We’re only days into the traditional spring market, but those who act now are ideally placed to capitalise on these favourable conditions and achieve a strong sale, with buyers eager to secure a home before Christmas.”

Looking ahead, AMP forecasts three further 0.25% RBA rate cuts—in November, February and May—which would bring the cash rate down to 2.85%. Supported by these cuts and enhanced first-home buyer benefits, Angus Raine expects national dwelling values to rise 5–7% in 2025, before accelerating to 8–10% in 2026 as the additional rate reductions and government incentives take hold.

Change in dwelling values capital cities – June 2025

(Source: Cotality Hedonic Home Value Index 1 September 2025)

If you’re considering listing a property this spring, contact your local Raine & Horne agent today.