The Sydney market has moved decisively into its early-year rhythm, and with that comes the familiar blend of momentum, friction, and selective buyer behaviour that typically defines this window between late summer and Easter.
Activity levels are strong. Open homes are well attended, enquiry remains consistent, and there is genuine depth to buyer pools across most Inner West and harbour-fringe marketplaces. That said, the conditions are not universally linear. Not every campaign is a straight line from launch to premium result.
We are seeing a clear split in performance. Some properties are accelerating beyond expectation, attracting immediate competition, pushing past price guides, and transacting within the first one to two weeks of market exposure. When the alignment between presentation, pricing strategy, and buyer demand is tight, the market is responding quickly and confidently.
Conversely, other campaigns are requiring recalibration. It is increasingly common to see price adjustments in weeks two and three as agents work to reposition properties in front of the right buyer segment. This is not a reflection of weak demand, but rather a sign that buyers remain financially disciplined and highly comparative in their decision-making.
They are watching value closely, weighing renovation costs, borrowing capacity, and long-term upside before acting. This mixed performance environment is keeping buyer’s alert.
From their perspective, it is difficult to predict which properties will outperform and which may stall. As a result, many are staying engaged across multiple campaigns, ready to move quickly when the right opportunity presents itself. The pricing strategy at launch is playing a critical role in shaping this behaviour, acting as either a catalyst for competition or a ceiling on enquiry.
Looking ahead, listing volumes are beginning to build as we move toward the six-week runway to Easter, traditionally one of the most active selling windows of the first half of the year. With more stock coming online, the market is about to be tested at a deeper level. Increased choice will place greater emphasis on presentation, buyer targeting, and price alignment.
For now, the balance remains healthy. Demand is present, competition exists, buyers are transacting, but caution sits just beneath the surface, ensuring the market remains performance-driven rather than universally exuberant. In short, it’s an active market, discerning but very responsive with the right strategy.
