As seen in The West Real Estate
As we close the books on 2025, it's been a year that tested everyone involved in the WA property market.
For buyers, the frustration was palpable. Bidding wars became the norm, with properties selling well above asking prices within days of listing. Many first-home buyers faced the heartbreak of being outbid repeatedly, watching their dream of homeownership slip further away despite saving diligently. The limited stock meant compromises on location, condition, or sometimes both.
Sellers experienced their own pressures. While strong prices seemed like good news, the anxiety of finding their next home often overshadowed any excitement. Many felt trapped being unable to sell without securing somewhere to move, yet unable to secure that next property without having sold first.
For tenants, 2025 was particularly challenging. Record low vacancy rates and increasing rents forced difficult decisions. Families downsized, young people postponed independence, and countless West Australians faced genuine housing stress. The competition for rental properties was fierce, with dozens applying for a single listing.
Those of us working in the industry weren't immune either. Real estate professionals fielded countless disappointed phone calls, managed unprecedented volumes of inquiries, and worked around the clock trying to match supply with insatiable demand. The emotional toll of delivering bad news to good people week after week weighed heavily.
As REIWA President, I've witnessed firsthand how these extreme conditions have strained our community.
As we head into 2026, my hope is for a more balanced market – one where buyers can purchase without desperation, sellers can move with confidence, and tenants can find affordable and suitable homes.
To everyone navigating this market: may your Christmas be peaceful and your New Year bring the housing outcome you're hoping for.
Suzanne Brown
REIWA President
