A: Not necessarily. Indeed, buying in late winter can offer real advantages for savvy buyers.

Traditionally, spring might be the peak selling season for property, but it also comes with a rush—more buyers, more sellers, and more pressure to make fast, confident decisions.

In contrast, August presents a valuable window of opportunity for buyers.

With fewer active house hunters in the market, there’s less competition, giving you more time to weigh up your options and potentially secure a better deal. It’s also the ideal time to get your finances in shape—with help from a finance expert like Our Broker—by finalising your “home loan pre-approval”, reviewing your budget, and getting ready to act quickly when the right property appears.

A pre-approved home loan is an estimate from a lender of how much you may be able to borrow, and subject to meeting certain conditions. These conditions could include paying off existing debts such as a credit card or providing additional documentation, like a property valuation.

But August isn’t just about less competition—it’s about being mindful of upcoming events.

Following the RBA’s decision to hold rates steady in July, all indicators now suggest a rate cut is likely at the 12 August meeting. The Consumer Price Index has dropped faster than expected to just 2.1%—the lowest annual inflation rate since the March 2021 quarter[i]. This marks one of the key signals the Reserve Bank has been waiting for. As a result:

• As of 31 July, the ASX is pricing in a 52% chance of a 50 basis point cut[ii].
• Most of the big four banks—Westpac[iii], NAB[iv], CBA[v], and ANZ[vi]—are forecasting at least one 25 basis point cut in August, with more to follow before year’s end.

What does this mean for buyers?

A rate cut can not only reduce your repayments but also increase the size of loan you can afford to repay—making your property goals more attainable. According to Our Broker, even a modest 0.25% cut could boost your repayment capacity by up to $35,000. Also, a young family earning a combined $180,000 with no major debts may be able to borrow around $20,000 more than just a month ago.

With less buyer competition in late winter and potential rate cuts on the horizon, August presents a rare opportunity to secure a better deal and buy with confidence and before the spring rush begins.

If you’re considering buying a property this August, talk to your Our Broker today on 1800 913 677.

[i] https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/cpi-rises-07-june-2025-quarter

[ii] https://www.westpaciq.com.au/economics/2025/07/lucis-note-30-july-20252 tps://www.asx.com.au/markets/trade-our-derivatives-market/futures-market/rba-rate-tracker

[iii] https://www.westpaciq.com.au/economics/2025/07/lucis-note-30-july-20252

[iv] https://news.nab.com.au/news/coming-in-for-landing-in-a-heavy-cross-wind-the-forward-view-australia/

[v] https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/2025/07/inflation-data-july.html#:~:text=We%20expect%20the%20Reserve%20Bank,back%20to%20around%20neutral%20levels.

[vi] https://www.anz.com.au/newsroom/media/2025/july/Lift-ahead-of-RBA-call/