Property owners in Greater Perth have been on the ride of a lifetime. According to REIWA, in the last two years, median house prices have climbed a staggering 40%, which is the best performance of any capital city in the country. Unit prices have performed even better, increasing by around 50% in the same period.
Of course, at some point the heat was always going to come out of the market – and that time is now. In the last few months, we’ve seen a transition from a highly competitive seller’s market towards more balanced conditions. In the Greater Perth region, which includes Mandurah, higher interest rates, cost of living pressures, and changing buyer confidence is influencing purchasing decisions.
REIWA’s official September 2026 quarterly report showed that Perth’s annual median house sale price growth slowed significantly. After recording consistent 5.0% to 5.3% growth in the previous two quarters, house price growth dropped to just 2.1% for the June-to-September quarter. Median unit price growth similarly flattened out to 2.5%.
A few strategies homebuyers can employ
For homebuyers, the changing market conditions provides opportunities that they wouldn’t have imagined six months earlier. So let’s look at few strategies that you (as a buyer) can employ to get the property you’re chasing at the right price.
Here are five practical steps:
- Shop around. According to REIWA, active listings in Greater Perth reached 7335 at the end of August 2026, which is up 146% from this time last year. So with more properties on the market, there’s more chance of finding the property you’re wanting at a realistic price.
- Panic buying is over. In September 2026, Greater Perth house prices took a median of 26 days to sell. To put this in perspective, 12 months earlier, properties were being snapped up in 8 days. So if you’re in the market for a property, you’ve got time to do your homework, as opposed to rushing in and paying ‘overs’ to buy the property.
- Don’t rely on a market crash. Prices are softening in some areas while remaining firm in others. In Mandurah, prices appear to be holding up comparatively well, and as a general rule, local properties offer exceptional value for money compared to many properties across the broader Perth region. How far the market falls depends very much on which suburb you’re looking at. But if you’re relying on a market crash before entering the market, you could miss out.
- Compare neighbouring suburbs: A suburb just outside a highly sought-after area may offer a similar commute, schools and amenities at a lower price.
- Check comparable sales: Use recent sales of similar properties, rather than advertised prices, to estimate fair value. And remember, the pendulum is swinging in favour of the homebuyer. So while we’re in the phase of a market correction, you can negotiate hard on both the price and the conditions of sale.
THERE’S A TRUCKLOAD OF REASONS TO CHOOSE C & R SETTLEMENTS IN MANDURAH.
Here at C & R Settlements in Mandurah, we’re renown for our hard work, attention to detail, and going the extra mile for our clients. We’re Mandurah’s Number One independent settlement agent with over 80,000 settlements under our belt (and still going strong). As an added bonus, when you choose C & R Settlements, you can use our free courtesy truck when it’s time to make the move. All you’ll need is a standard driver’s licence (and perhaps a few strong mates to lend a hand on moving day). Just be aware that our free courtesy truck is very popular, and bookings are essential. Just another reason to make the move to C & R Settlements in Mandurah. For details, call us on 9581 2148. Or email mandurah@crsetts.com.au