Late Spring Lift: What’s Really Driving the Rise in Listings?

After a sluggish start to 2025, the Spring market is finally showing signs of life — and new listings are rising across capital cities and key regional markets.

According to REA’s PropTrack Listings Report – September 2025, national new listings are up 9.3% month-on-month, with notable lifts in Sydney (10.4%), Melbourne (12.6%), and Brisbane (8.9%).

It’s welcome news for agents hungry for stock — but what’s driving the change?

Let’s unpack the key forces.

🏠 1. Vendors Are Sensing Stability

One of the biggest inhibitors to listing activity over the past 18 months has been uncertainty — around interest rates, buyer demand, and perceived value.

But with the RBA holding the cash rate steady (and delivering a modest cut in September), more vendors are feeling confident that now is a safe window to sell.

As REB reports, sellers are responding to improving auction clearance rates, better-than-expected winter sales results, and the sense that buyer competition is returning — especially in metro family markets.

💡 2. Sellers Are Motivated — But More Strategic

Data from Domain’s Spring Property Preview suggests that while listing volumes are growing, sellers are being more selective and strategic:

  • Preference for private treaty over auction in many outer-metro suburbs
  • Rising demand for campaign flexibility and vendor-paid marketing (VPA) options
  • Sellers seeking agent guidance on timing, prep, and pricing

In short, agents who offer real strategic value — not just appraisals — are standing out.

📊 3. Buyers Are Back (But Still Bargain-Savvy)

The latest REA Insights Buyer Demand Report shows rising buyer enquiry levels — particularly in the sub-$1.5M range and among upsizers seeking lifestyle upgrades.

However, buyers are still price-sensitive and presentation-driven, with expectations shaped by Instagram-ready listings and styling-heavy campaigns.

That means quality campaigns win, and agents who support vendor confidence with smart advice (and campaign funding options) are converting faster.

🔄 4. Spring Is a Reset — But Not a Free Ride

This isn’t a boom market. But it’s no longer a frozen one either.

The combination of:

  • Rate stability
  • Improved buyer intent
  • Media positivity
  • And higher-quality listings

…has created a window of opportunity — but not a guarantee.

Agents who move fast, offer real advice, and maintain listing energy are poised to ride the late Spring lift into a strong close to 2025.

🌤️ Final Word: It’s Not Boom time. But It Is Go Time.

It’s not 2021. But it’s definitely not 2023.

Confidence is rising. Listings are flowing. Buyers are active.
And agents who’ve stayed sharp are already capitalising.

Sources and referenced articles

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