April 2026 has proven to be another standout month for the @realty network, achieving an impressive $584,512,374 in total property sales across Australia and New Zealand. This result represents a 25.14% increase compared to April 2025, reinforcing the strength and resilience of the @realty network, even as the broader property market begins to shift.
Market Enters a New Phase
While @realty celebrates strong performance, national housing data indicates the market is entering a more balanced and complex phase. National home prices dipped 0.1% in April, marking the first monthly decline of 2026, bringing the median home value to $910,000.
Despite this slight monthly drop, the bigger picture remains positive:
- Home values are still up 8.5% year-on-year, adding approximately $92,200 to the median property.
- Capital city values declined 0.2% over the month, but remain 7.7% higher annually, with a median value of $1,017,000.
Mixed Results Across Capital Cities
Performance across Australia’s capitals continues to diverge:
- Hobart (+0.3%) led monthly growth.
- Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth (+0.2%) followed closely.
- Sydney (-0.5%) and Melbourne (-0.3%) recorded declines, reflecting growing pressure in rate-sensitive markets.
The downturn is being largely driven by house prices, which fell 0.2% across capital cities, while unit prices remained stable—a clear sign that buyers are gravitating toward more affordable options as borrowing capacity tightens.
Strong Annual Growth Leaders
On an annual basis, several cities continue to outperform:
- Perth (+21.5%) remains the fastest-growing capital
- Brisbane (+17.5%)
- Darwin (+16.9%)
- Adelaide (+13.9%)
Regional Markets Continue to Shine
Regional Australia remains a standout performer:
- Prices rose 0.2% in April
- Up 10.7% year-on-year
- Over five years, regional markets have surged 54.4%, compared to 35.8% in capital cities
Affordability and lifestyle appeal continue to drive demand, although momentum is beginning to moderate.
A Market Losing Momentum
April data highlights a clear shift:
- Nearly half of SA4 regions recorded price declines, signaling a widespread cooling.
- Inner-city markets—particularly in Sydney and Melbourne—are leading the downturn following successive interest rate increases.
- Even traditionally strong markets like Perth, Adelaide, and regional areas are beginning to show signs of slowing growth.
The decline is being primarily driven by New South Wales and Victoria, though pockets of weakness are emerging in:
- Inner Brisbane
- Adelaide’s Central & Hills and West regions
- Northern Perth
What’s Driving the Shift?
Several factors are contributing to the market rebalancing:
- Higher interest rates reducing borrowing capacity
- Softening auction clearance rates, indicating misaligned buyer and seller expectations
- Economic uncertainty impacting buyer confidence
However, the market remains underpinned by strong fundamentals:
- Robust employment levels
- High household equity
- Limited forced selling
- Ongoing housing supply constraints, worsened by construction costs and interest rates
Outlook: Gradual Adjustment Ahead
While price growth is expected to continue slowing, a sharp downturn appears unlikely. Instead, the market is transitioning into a multi-speed environment, where performance varies significantly by location and price point.
The outlook suggests:
- A gradual adjustment period
- Moderating growth conditions
- Potential for further small price declines
@realty Positioned for Continued Growth
Despite broader market headwinds, @realty’s strong April performance highlights the network’s ability to thrive in changing conditions. With a flexible model, strong support systems, and agents operating in high-growth markets, @realty continues to outperform and deliver results.
As the market evolves, adaptability, local expertise, and strategic positioning will be key—and @realty agents are clearly leading the way.