Illawarra property news April 2026

July 2026 Market update

The downturn in property prices has accelerated, according to the latest figures by Cotality. Capital cities across the country fell by an average of 0.9% in July led by Sydney with a 1.7% drop.

The falls were led by interest rate rises, tax changes to property and rising cost of living. Across all dwellings, the monthly fall was 0.7% to $928,421.

While the first home buyer market was holding up well, the biggest falls have been at the top end of the market. Gerard Burg said that vendors were also hesitant to put their homes on the market. “When vendors look out at the market, they are seeing these challenging conditions and they’re probably thinking that they’ve missed the opportunity to sell at the market peak,” he said. “If they have that choice to wait, they’re going to wait for the next cycle, once conditions improve, to put their home on the market.”

Tim Bartlett, Principal at Bartlett and Co. Property says that while there are challenging conditions, it is important to get experience on your side. “There are still buyers around and for those who need to make the next move, it pays to get the right advice.”

Support for lower prices?

After years of rapid price growth, new research from polling firm Resolve suggests many Australians believe lower property prices would be good for the country.

Surprisingly, property investors were among the strongest supporters, with 66% expressing support for the objective of bringing house prices down, while only 12% opposed the idea.

Across all groups—including outright homeowners, mortgage holders, renters and investors—an average of 61% supported lower house prices, with just 9% opposed.

However, attitudes shifted dramatically when respondents were asked about the future value of their own home. Support for prices rising or remaining steady jumped to 38%—more than four times higher than the 9% who generally opposed lower prices.

The findings highlight a familiar contradiction. Many Australians recognise that lower house prices could improve affordability for the next generation, yet when it comes to their own biggest financial asset, most would still prefer its value to hold firm or continue climbing. It seems the old political saying still rings true: always back the horse called self-interest—it’s the only one trying.

Spring is closer than you think

While we’ve only just entered the final month of winter, preparing a home for sale in the spring market means starting now.

Spring is traditionally one of the busiest times in the property market, with warmer weather, longer daylight hours and gardens bursting back to life helping homes make a great first impression.

Now is an excellent time to get planning. A fresh lick of paint, garden maintenance, minor repairs and decluttering can all add to your home’s appeal—and that can mean a healthier bottom line when it comes to attracting the right buyers.

Spring in the Illawarra is one of the most competitive times of the year, with more buyers actively searching across suburbs such as Wollongong, Figtree, Dapto and the Illawarra’s Northern Suburbs. Well-presented homes often attract stronger interest and more inspections, particularly when they are listed early in the season. By preparing your property now, you’ll be well positioned to take advantage of increased buyer demand and achieve the best possible result in the busy Illawarra spring selling season.

Contact Tim Bartlett for more advice on getting your home ready for sale.