Transaction volumes remain steady, auctions are drawing solid crowds and buyers are engaging, but it’s in the negotiation phase where most of the work is being done right now.
We’re operating in a measured, price-sensitive environment where the gap between buyer willingness and seller expectation is often quite narrow. Bridging that gap is requiring adjustment from both sides.
In many instances, it’s not the market failing, it’s simply expectation misalignment. Seller optimism remains strong, which is understandable given media coverage always focuses on the week’s most outstanding auction results. That optimism is frequently reinforced by ambitious price guidance in competitive listing environments. While this may serve the purpose of securing listings, the result is often a campaign that begins with buoyant enthusiasm will quickly require recalibration once exposed to genuine buyer feedback. Our consistent focus remains on providing grounded pricing advice from day one, ensuring campaigns are positioned for genuine engagement rather than later correction.
The evidence this year is increasingly clear. Price alignment is the primary driver of sales success. Presentation supports it and marketing amplifies it, but neither substitute for it. When pricing meets the market early, engagement is immediate, and competition follows. When it doesn’t, campaigns can stall and require weeks of repositioning to regain momentum.
For sellers considering a move, disciplined pricing remains the clearest path to a premium outcome. Starting too high can limit early engagement, suppress offers and will likely extend your time on market.
For buyers, choice is expanding as we move toward the Easter period. Value opportunities have emerged, but when well-priced properties are on often, competition remains strong, and transactions are happening quickly.
Overall, this is an active but balanced market where success is less about timing the market conditions and more about reading it correctly from day one.
