Is Now a Good Time to Sell?

I get asked this question every week. Is now a good time to sell? Should I wait for interest rates to drop? Will the market soften further?

There are two truths about this question. First, most people are waiting for a "perfect" time that never arrives. Second, there are real data points that matter — and timing does matter, just not in the way most sellers think.

Let me break down what the current Gold Coast market actually looks like in mid-2026, and when it makes sense to sell now versus waiting.

The Gold Coast market in mid-2026

Let's start with what's actually happening on the ground right now:

Under $1 million

This segment is performing well. First home buyer demand has been strong, driven by recent updates to First Home Buyer Grant schemes. Properties in the $600K–$900K range are selling, and competition between buyers is real. Average time on market is typically 3–4 weeks for well-presented properties. This is a good market for sellers.

$1 million to $1.5 million

This is the sweet spot on the Gold Coast right now. Owner-occupiers are still actively buying (moving from apartments into family homes, or upgrading), and investment buyers are present. With the right campaign strategy, these properties are selling quickly — typically 4–8 weeks. Offers over campaigns are outperforming auctions.

$1.5 million to $2.5 million

This bracket has softened compared to the boom. Properties are selling, but it takes longer (8–16 weeks) and requires more precision on pricing and presentation. Buyers in this range are more selective, and price negotiations are more common.

Above $2.5 million

The luxury market is patient. Properties are selling, but timelines are longer (3–6 months+) and are very dependent on finding the right buyer. The pool of buyers is smaller, so positioning and marketing matter significantly.

What actually drives market timing

Most sellers focus on interest rates. Will the RBA cut rates? If I wait six months, will the market be stronger?

Interest rates do matter — but not in the way you think. Here's why:

Interest rate cuts alone don't create instant demand

Even if the RBA cuts rates, it takes months for that to translate into increased buyer activity. Mortgage serviceability doesn't improve immediately, and buyers need confidence that rates are staying down before they act.

Translation: If you're waiting for an interest rate cut to sell, you'll be waiting a long time for buyers to actually show up.

The real timing factors are seasonal

More important than rates are these patterns:

• Spring (Sept–Nov) and early summer (Dec–Jan) are the strongest selling seasons. More families are looking, people want to settle before Christmas or new school years, and overall buyer activity is highest. Spring typically delivers the fastest sales and strongest competition.
• Winter (June–Aug) is slower. Fewer buyers are looking, fewer properties are on market, and it takes longer to find a buyer. That said, properties that are well-presented still sell — it just takes longer.
• January–February is very quiet. People are on holiday and aren't thinking about property.

If you're thinking about timing, season matters far more than interest rate predictions.

Personal circumstances trump market timing

Here's the reality: The "perfect" market time rarely aligns with when you actually want to sell.

If you need to sell now (buying elsewhere, relocating, change in life circumstances), waiting for a theoretical future market improvement often costs more than you'd gain. Delaying a sale for 6 months costs you:

• 6 months of mortgage payments (if selling to move)
• 6 months of rates and utilities
• Opportunity cost on the capital (that money could be earning returns elsewhere)
• Uncertainty risk (things don't always improve; markets can shift unexpectedly)

For most sellers, the math works out that selling now (if needed) beats waiting for a theoretical better market.

The honest framework: Should you sell now?

Here's how I think about it:

Sell now if:

• You have a personal reason to sell (relocation, buying elsewhere, life change)
• Your property is well-presented and will attract buyers at current prices
• Your price point ($600K–$1.5M) is in an active part of the market
• You're not relying on a specific price target — you're realistic about current market value
• You'd be happy owning the property for another 1–2 years if you didn't sell (meaning you're not forced, and you can be selective about offers)

Wait if:

• You're selling a property above $2M and the luxury market is important (these cycles matter more)
• You're selling in a winter month and can wait 3–4 months for spring (the seasonal benefit is real)
• Your property needs significant work and you can spend the next few months preparing (timing the improvement with spring sales season)
• You're not forced to sell and don't have a deadline (then it's worth waiting for conditions to improve)

"The best time to sell isn't when the market is perfect. It's when you're ready, your property is ready, and the market is at least functional. Right now on the Gold Coast, we have functional markets across most price points."

The Gold Coast market in mid-2026 is workable across most price ranges. Buyer demand exists. Properties are selling. Yes, the market has softened from the boom, but that's not unusual — and it's not a reason to wait indefinitely.

If you're thinking about selling and want an honest assessment of whether now is the right time for your specific property and circumstances, let's have that conversation. I can show you what your property will likely sell for today, how long it'll take, and whether waiting makes sense given your situation.