WELCOME TO THE May 2025
PUBLISHER
Century 21 Australia Pty Ltd
CONTRIBUTORS
Chris Gray Corelogic
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Century 21 Australia (02) 8295 0600
a DVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Century 21 Australia (02) 8295 0600
DISCL a IMER
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T HE ELECTION'S OVER, R aTES H aVE JUST DROPPED
– a RE yOU STILL Wa ITING?
BY CHRIS GRAY, CEO, YOUR EMPIRE
May 2025 has arrived. The federal election is done and dusted, with Labor returning to government once again. For months, property buyers and investors have been waiting on the sidelines, watching the headlines, unsure when to act. The Reserve Bank has just cut interest rates on May 20 – a move that could reshape the market landscape.
But here’s the key: even before the Reserve Bank had made an official move, the smart players were already preparing.
In my 30+ years of buying, investing, and helping others build property portfolios, one truth stands out: the best results come not from timing the market perfectly, but from acting when others hesitate. Waiting feels safe – but it often costs you far more than it saves.
Let's break it down.
WHY THIS MOMENT MATTERS
• The election is settled, removing one of the biggest psychological blocks for buyers.
• More anticipated rate cuts will likely lift borrowing capacity, meaning more buyers will soon flood into the market.
• With economists predicting 4–5 rate cuts on the horizon, mortgage repayments could fall significantly
over the coming year, making it easier to hold investment properties long term.
• There are no immediate tax, policy, or regulatory threats, creating one of the cleanest investment runways we’ve seen in years.
• Many buyers are still frozen, assuming they can wait it out – but they risk facing higher competition and higher prices once the crowd wakes up. Lessons from past cycles I’ve seen this pattern repeatedly: after political or economic uncertainty clears, markets don’t just tiptoe forward – they often surge. When confidence returns, demand rises, and with Australia’s limited housing supply, prices can jump sharply.
Most people looking back regret not acting sooner. They rarely regret the properties they bought; they regret the ones they missed.
Why now? Every time you sit out of the market, you’re missing
potential capital gains. If prices rise 5–10% in the next 12 months, that’s $50,000–$100,000 on a $1 million property. If you wait another year, you may face higher entry prices and tighter competition, making it even harder to secure quality assets.
Even if the next rate cut doesn’t land for a while, markets are already
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Chris Gray is CEO of Your Empire, a buyers’ agency that buys homes and investments for time-poor professionals – searching, negotiating, renovating and managing property on their behalf. Chris has spent over 10 years as the host of ‘Your Property Empire’ on Sky News Business channel, where he’s interviewed various heads of property research companies and major industry figures. Chris is a qualified accountant, buyers’ agent and mortgage broker. For more information, visit www.yourempire.com.au and follow Chris on Facebook: @ChrisGraySydney
pricing in that shift. By the time the Reserve Bank announces the next drop, the savviest buyers will have moved.
THIS IS YOUR MOMENT.
If you’re thinking, “Maybe I should wait a bit longer,” ask yourself:
how many times in the past have you wished you’d acted sooner? How many opportunities have you watched rise out of reach?
Don’t let 2025 become another year of missed chances.
Va LUES HIGHER IN a PRIL DESPITE UNCERTa INT y FROM Ta RIFFS a ND FEDER a L ELECTION
BY CORELOGIC
Cotality’s national Home Value Index recorded a third straight month of growth in April, with dwelling values up 0.3% to a new record high. The rise in values has added approximately $2,720 to the median value of an Australian dwelling over the month.
A lift in home values was recorded across every capital city, ranging from a 1.1% gain in Darwin, to a 0.2% rise in Sydney and Melbourne. While in positive territory, the pace of growth in national values eased a little from March (+0.4%), with sentiment and auction clearance rates slumping throughout the month.
“The rate cut in February supported an upwards inflection in housing market conditions, but the positive influence from lower rates seems to be losing some potency. At the same time, household confidence slipped in April, with the US’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff announcements and the upcoming federal election causing uncertainty. It is likely this may be causing some buyers and sellers to delay their decisions,” said Tim Lawless, Cotality’s research director.
Mr Lawless said these uncertainties are more apparent in sales and listings volumes compared to home
values – a trend compounded by the ‘super break’ many Australians took between Easter and ANZAC public holidays.
This slowdown in buying and selling was evident in weekly auction and new listing numbers. Over the week ending 20 th April, just 644 auctions were held across the combined capitals, the lowest easter auction week* since 2019, when the housing market was nearing a cyclical trough and federal election campaigns were dominated by conversations of housing policy reform.
Similarly, new listing numbers also fell to their lowest levels for this time of year since 2019*, with just 19,650 for sales listing seen across the combined capitals over the four weeks to April 27th.
“With further rate cuts likely as soon as May 20th, and a level of certainty returning to the market after the federal election on May 3rd, we expect a further modest rise in values for 2025.”
Although housing values are recording a broad–based rise, not every market is back to new record highs. In fact, across the capital cities, it is only the mid–sized capitals where home values are at their highest level on record. Sydney values remain -1.1% below their September 2024 high. Melbourne values are down -5.4% from the record peak in 2022. Hobart is down -11.1%, while in Darwin and ACT values remain -2.7% and -6.4% below their all–time highs.
The annual pace of gains slowed to 3.2% nationally in April, the slowest annual rise since the 12 months ending August 2023. The loss in momentum is reflective of the persistent slowdown in value growth seen between mid–2024 and early 2025, which culminated in falls over the three months ending January 2025. The monthly pace of gains turned positive in February,
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coinciding with the 25-basis point cut to the cas h rate.
“Given the softer trajectory of growth through last year, it’s likely the annual pace of gains will continue to soften over the coming months, despite the positive inflection in values since February,” Mr Lawless said.
Despite stretched housing affordability, growth in house values is continuing to outpace the unit sector. The past three months have seen the value of houses rise by 1.1% across the combined capitals, more than double the 0.5% lift recorded
across the unit sector. This trend is mostly being driven by Sydney, where house values were up 1.4% over the rolling quarter compared with a -0.3% fall in unit values over the same period. Hobart had the largest disparity between house and unit growth in the period, with houses rising 1.4% against a -1.1% fall in units. Melbourne and Adelaide saw an even performance between the two housing types over the rolling quarter, while Brisbane and Perth recorded solid out performances across the unit sector.
Regional housing values have continued to outpace the capitals,
with values up 0.6% and 0.2% respectively over the month of April. This trend of regional home values rising at a faster pace than the capitals was a clear feature of the market through the pandemic but has once again become a theme in the monthly growth trends since October last year.
Stronger regional value growth has been broad–based, with every state except Tasmania recording a faster monthly pace of gains in regional values. However, regional SA and regional WA stood out with the most significant gains, up 1.5% and 1.3% respectively over the past month.
yOUR GUIDE TO WEEKEND HOME PROJECTS
TH aT a CTU a LLy SPa RK JOy
Weekends are sacred. They’re our time to slow down, reset, and sometimes finally get to those little home projects we’ve been putting off. But here’s the thing, not every project needs to be a renovation marathon. Some of the most satisfying changes you can make at home are small, thoughtful, and actually enjoyable to do.
Whethe r you're looking to create a more beautiful space, add a splash of personality, or simply tick something off your to–do list, these weekend–ready ideas are all about bringing joy back into the process and your space.
Let’s dive into seven easy, feel–good home projects that don’t require a tradesperson, a budget blowout, or even that many tools.
REFRESH A TIRED CORNER WITH PAINT
You don’t hav e to repaint the entire house to make an impact. Pick one wall, a door, or even a piece of furniture and give it a fresh coat of paint.
Colour has a huge effect on mood, and a weekend spent choosing and painting can be incredibly satisfying. Try earthy greens, terracotta, or soft oat tones to instantly warm up a s p ace.
CREATE A MINI HERB GARDEN
A windowsill herb garden is a practical and beautiful addition to your kitchen. Even better, you’ll be growing ingredients you’ll actually use.
The smell of fresh basil, the satisfaction of snipping your own rosemary, pure pleasure, right from your kitchen window.
STYLE A “MOMENT” SHELF
Have a fl oating shelf or sideboard that’s become a bit of a dumping ground? Turn it into a styled vignette with books, candles, framed photos, and a small plant.
It’s like decorating a mini room. Instant mood–lifter every time you walk past.
SWAP YOUR SOFT FURNISHINGS
Switch out your cushion covers, throws, or even your bed linen for a new season look. You’ll be surprised how much a fresh textile palette can change a room.
Image: Mk S on Unsplash
Image: Amber Kipp on Unsplash
DECLUTTER ONE DRAW
Instead of trying to tackle the entire house, focus on that one drawer that’s always overflowing, like the “junk drawer” or your bathroom vanity.
CREATE A DIY HOME SPA MOMENT
Refresh your bathroom with a few well–placed items: a bamboo bath caddy, fluffy towels, a new soap dispenser, or a candle. Bonus points for adding eucalyptus in the shower.
TIDY UP YOUR OUTDOOR NOOK
Whether it’s a balcony, a front porch, or a backyard corner, give your outdoor space some love.
Clean it up, add a chair, pop in a pot plant, and maybe string up some solar lights.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE BIG TO BE WORTH IT
Sometimes the most joyful updates are the ones that take just a few hours, not a whole weekend. The best part? These little projects often become the things you appreciate the most. They bring beauty, order, and a sense of calm to your everyday spaces and that’s something worth celebrating.
Got a favourite weekend project of your own? We’d love to hear
about it! And if you’re planning to refresh your space before selling, a few styling tweaks can go a long way. Get in touch with your local Century 21 agent for personalised tips on what makes the biggest impact in your home. Visit C21.com.au/your-local-c21 to find your closest agent.
Image: Clay Banks on Unsplash
M a KE EVERy ME a L SPECI a L: DINING a RE a ST y LING FOR EVERy Day MOMENTS
In a world where busy schedules and screen time often take over, the simple act of sharing a meal deserves to be celebrated. Whether it's dinner with family or a solo lunch break, your dining area can be more than just functional, it can be a daily experience to look forward to. With a few thoughtful styling touches, you can elevate everyday meals into moments of connection, calm and joy.
SET THE MOOD WITH LIGHTING
Lighting plays a key role in creating a warm, inviting dining atmosphere. If you have overhead lighting, consider swapping in a pendant light or chandelier to make a statement. Add dimmable bulbs or candles for soft, ambient lighting that instantly makes the space feel more intimate.
MIX FUNCTION WITH STYLE
Your dining area doesn’t have to be fancy to feel special. A simple runner, placemats, or cloth napkins can add texture and elevate the space. Opt for durable, easy-to-clean materials that still feel stylish, linen, natural fibres, or ceramic accessories all bring a refined touch without the fuss.
MAKE USE OF WHAT YOU HAVE
You don’t need to buy new furniture or décor to give your dining area a fresh feel. Rearrange your layout, bring in a piece from another room, or rotate centrepieces. A small indoor plant, a bowl of fruit, or a vase with greenery can transform the table with minimal effort.
PERSONALISE THE SPACE
Think beyond the basics and include elements that reflect your personality. Whether it’s framed artwork, vintage dinnerware, or a playlist you play during meals, these small touches make the space feel more you.
CREATE RITUALS AROUND MEALTIMES
Styling isn’t just about what you see, it's about how the space makes you feel. Try lighting a candle before sitting down to eat, using a special set of dishes on week nights, or having a no-phones-atthe-table rule to make meals more mindful. These little rituals turn everyday dining into something more meaningful.
KEEP IT FLEXIBLE
If your dining space is part of an open-plan living area or a multipurpose zone, aim for style choices that are flexible. Stackable chairs, benches with storage, or a round table that expands for guests can keep your space practical and beautiful.
YOUR EVERYDAY ESCAPE
Your dining area doesn’t need to be reserved for special occasions. With a few small changes, you can make every meal feel like a moment worth savouring. Whether you're eating solo, with your family, or hosting a friend, thoughtful styling helps create a space where connection happens and memories are made.
Sometimes the smallest changes create the biggest impact.
A well-styled dining space brings more than beauty, it invites conversation, connection, and a moment to pause in the day.
Thinking about refreshing your space before putting it on the market?
A few thoughtful tweaks can make all the difference. Reach out to your local Century 21 agent for personalised advice on what styling choices attract today’s buyers.
