Buying Property in NSW in 2026: What Today’s RBA Decision Means for Buyers
- Mackenzie-George Buyers Advocates
- Jan 30
- 5 min read
The NSW property market has come back to life after the holiday slowdown. February data confirms what many buyers and sellers are already feeling on the ground: listings are rising, activity is increasing, and competition is returning to parts of the market that were quieter late last year.
At the same time, today’s 2:30pm Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) interest rate decision has added a layer of uncertainty that many buyers are struggling to interpret.
So the real question isn’t “Is the market moving?” It’s “How should I be making buying decisions in this environment?”
Let’s unpack what’s happening — and how buyers in NSW can approach 2026 with clarity rather than hesitation.
February’s Listing Rebound: More Choice, Not Necessarily Cheaper Homes
As predicted last month, February delivered a noticeable rebound in listings across NSW and nearby South East Queensland. After a subdued end to 2025, sellers have returned with confidence, bringing more stock to market.
This shift matters because:
Buyers now have more choice than they did late last year
Negotiation dynamics are changing suburb by suburb
Well-priced homes are still selling quickly, despite increased supply
A rise in listings does not automatically mean prices will fall. What it does mean is that buyers need to be more selective — and better informed — bear in mind that more properties to see also is more time consuming so you may need help to get through everything on the market - thats where my Property Walk-Through (Inspection Service) can help you out.
Today’s RBA Decision: Why It’s a “Close Call”
All eyes today are on the RBA.
The central bank has been clear for some time that its next move would not be a rate cut. With inflation still sitting above the target band, markets have been bracing for the possibility of a rate hike.
RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser recently stated that inflation above 3% is “clearly too high.” With the latest annual inflation reading at 3.6%, pressure is firmly on the board.
Whether the RBA:
Holds rates, or
Implements a further increase,
the broader takeaway is the same: borrowing costs are unlikely to ease meaningfully in the short term.
For buyers, this creates hesitation — particularly first home buyers and upsizers who are unsure whether to act now or wait.
“Should I Buy Now?” Is Often the Wrong Question
One of the most common questions buyers ask during interest rate uncertainty is:
“Should I buy now, or wait?”
The more useful question is:
“What does buying now — or waiting — actually mean for my position?”
There is no universal right answer. What is risky is making decisions based on:
Headlines
Media noise
Fear of missing out
Fear of getting it wrong
This Is Where a Strategy Session Becomes Valuable to Every buyer
A Strategy Session isn’t about generic advice or broad assumptions. It’s about stepping back and looking at the entire picture, which is different for every buyer.
No two buying decisions are the same. Timing, goals, lifestyle needs, risk tolerance, family circumstances, location preferences, and market conditions all intersect differently depending on where you are right now.
Your buying goals and priorities in the current market
How different locations, property types, or timelines may align with those goals
Whether waiting is a deliberate strategy — or simply a response to uncertainty
What would need to change for moving forward to feel considered and confident
In some cases, waiting absolutely makes sense. In others, it doesn’t. The difference is understanding why — and making decisions based on your individual situation, not broad-based commentary or headlines that may or may not apply to you.
Price Growth Is Happening
Despite rate pressure, property prices across Australia continue to show resilience.
The median home price nationally is now approximately $880,000, around $82,200 higher than one year ago. Growth hasn’t disappeared — it has become more selective and less headline-driven.
Buyers are most at risk of overpaying
When uncertainty meets urgency
When competition returns in short bursts
When emotion overrides evidence
Before making an offer, having an Expert Property Report & Analysis can be the difference between confidence and regret.
These reports assess:
Comparable sales (not asking prices)
Current buyer demand in that specific pocket
Market conditions affecting value right now
Whether a property is fairly priced or inflated
The suburb and how the property sits within it
The property’s strengths, weaknesses, and long-term resale potential
Which buyer groups are most likely to compete for it now and in the future
A professional grading: would this be a property I would recommend or purchase if acting for a buyer?
This lens goes beyond what online data alone can show and focuses on whether the property genuinely stacks up as a buying decision.
Why it’s helpful
Helps you identify fair market value and avoid overpaying
Reveals factors that typical buyers or online data may miss
Provides an unbiased, professional perspective from a licensed real estate agent acting purely in your best interests as the buyer
Equips you to make decisions with confidence, backed by evidence — not emotion
Coastal NSW property lifestyle as buyers navigate interest rate uncertaintyBuying From Afar: A Growing Reality for NSW Buyers
Many buyers searching across NSW — whether from Sydney, Newcastle, regional areas, or interstate — can’t attend every inspection in person.
This is becoming increasingly common, especially when:
Properties move quickly
Travel isn’t practical
Inspecting properties is time consuming
Buyers want to avoid wasted weekends and emotional burnout
Accomodation and travel costs are expensive
A Property Walk-Through (Inspection Service) provides eyes-on-the-ground insight before you invest further time, money, or emotional energy.
This service is designed to:
Assess properties objectively
Identify red flags not visible online
Confirm whether a property genuinely stacks up
Help you narrow focus to only the right opportunities
It’s particularly useful in active markets where hesitation can be costly — but rushing can be worse.
Strategy Beats Timing in 2026
With listings rising and interest rates under scrutiny, we are entering a market that rewards:
Preparation
Evidence-based decisions
Clear personal strategy
Trying to “time” the market perfectly is rarely successful. Understanding how to operate within it is far more powerful.
Whether you are:
A first home buyer unsure whether to move now
An upsiser balancing borrowing capacity and lifestyle
A buyer navigating uncertainty from a distance
The goal is the same: clarity, confidence, and control.
Final Thought
Today’s RBA decision will dominate headlines — but your personal buying strategy shouldn’t hinge on a single announcement.
I’ll be closely analysing the RBA’s statement and updated forecasts this afternoon. If you’d like to discuss how today’s decision or current market conditions affect your plans, a Strategy Session is the best place to start.
These services are available to buyers anywhere in NSW, not just locally — because good decisions aren’t about location, they’re about information.
If you’d like help navigating what comes next, feel free to reach out.
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