Prices are falling. Should buyers wait for the bottom?

Edgar says a softer market can reward preparation, but waiting for a perfectly clear signal can mean missing the right property.

A slower market is not automatically a collapse

Property prices may be easing, but Edgar says the clearest change in many markets is turnover. Homes are taking longer to sell, which can give prepared buyers more time to assess and negotiate.

“If you find a house that actually suits you, you should jump in now, depending on how much the repayments affect your affordability,” Edgar says.

Why waiting for certainty can backfire

Edgar says buyers often wait for the moment a market is unmistakably at the bottom. But that confirmation tends to arrive after listings have started to sell, choice has narrowed and price reductions have become smaller.

For an owner occupier, the starting point is whether the home fits the household’s needs, the repayments are comfortable and the move makes sense over the long term.

What Edgar looks for as an investor

Edgar’s own long term approach focuses on homes and apartments that will remain in demand. He looks for established suburbs with limited future supply, practical homes near schools and shops, and scarce features such as direct ocean views.

For an investment, the numbers still need to work at today’s interest rates. A strong rental return, the right bedrooms and layout, an appealing outlook and durable tenant demand are all part of the assessment.

Build a repayment buffer

Edgar suggests allowing for another $100 to $150 a week above the repayment amount a lender indicates. That gives a household room if rates rise further. If rates later fall, keeping the higher repayment can shorten the loan and significantly reduce the total interest paid.

This is Edgar’s personal market commentary and general information, not financial advice. Consider your own circumstances and obtain independent advice before making a property decision.