Overview
- Domain’s early read, reported by Saturday evening, put Sydney’s clearance rate at about 54% and Melbourne’s at about 58%, both under the 60% level that signals a balanced market.
- A high number of withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold when Domain calculates clearances, with reports citing about 114 withdrawals in Sydney and 67 in Melbourne for the week, which pushes the headline rates lower.
- Several notable homes passed in after live bids failed to meet vendor reserves, including a Brunswick two‑bedroom that drew no genuine bids and a Surry Hills terrace whose sole bidder reached $2.3 million against a $2.65 million reserve.
- Agents say many sellers are cutting price guides, switching to private negotiations or renting unsold homes because of timing pressures such as overseas moves and tax‑residency deadlines.
- The market is split by price and condition, with strong competition at lower, first‑home buyer price points up to roughly $1.5 million and much slower demand for upsizers, discretionary buyers and properties needing major work.