Welcome to this month's Property Edit.

As we leave winter and move into spring, the Eastern Suburbs market is telling a more nuanced story than the headlines suggest. Clearance rates softened through June and July, but quality, well-located homes continued to attract interest, while buyers became more selective around price, position and presentation.

Australia’s housing affordability crisis is about more than tax settings and investor activity. History shows that when home ownership was more attainable for younger Australians, governments were active participants in housing supply, while construction kept pace more effectively with population growth. The question today is whether changing who competes for existing homes can really solve the problem if we are simply not building enough of them.

Welcome to this month's Property Edit.

This month, we're looking at two very different parts of the property journey: staying finance-ready and enjoying the neighbourhoods that make Sydney such a great place to live.

The redevelopment of Moore Park Golf Course has reignited debate about planning, public space and taxpayer spending. For property buyers, it also highlights why understanding government decisions and future infrastructure is just as important as choosing the right property.

Negative headlines can influence property decisions far more than most people realise. While the media focuses on today's uncertainty, successful buyers focus on long-term fundamentals. Discover why waiting for the "perfect time" could end up costing you more than taking action with the right advice and strategy.

Welcome to this month's Property Edit.

As we move into the new financial year, I'm sharing a few timely notes for buyers and investors to keep on their radar. First, a look at the tax and superannuation changes now in effect from 1 July, and what they may mean for future property plans.

Australia's SMSF sector is facing a major shake-up following the Labor-Greens tax deal. Proposed changes to Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs) could significantly impact how future investors use superannuation to purchase residential property. Here's what SMSF trustees and property investors need to know.

Could a softer Sydney property market actually work in your favour? For homeowners looking to upgrade, buying and selling in the same market can create unique opportunities. While property values may fluctuate, the gap between your current home and your next home can often narrow, making an upgrade more achievable. With more choice, less competition and greater negotiating power, today's market may offer upsizers the chance to secure a better property while positioning themselves for long-term lifestyle and financial benefits. Read on to discover why market conditions that concern some buyers may actually create opportunities for others.

Welcome to this month's Property Edit.

This month, we're looking at the wider role property plays in the Australian economy, and why a healthy market matters far beyond buyers and sellers alone.

From trades and finance to legal services, styling, construction, hospitality and local business, every property transaction creates a flow-on effect that supports jobs, confidence and community growth.

The Federal Budget could represent the biggest shake-up for Australian property investors in more than two decades.

The key takeaway is simple:

Welcome to a short, practical update from the Eastern Suburbs.

In this month’s Property Edit, we are sharing two practical lenses for buyers in the Eastern Suburbs.

Firstly, how presentation can influence competition, and where clutter or over-personalisation can create negotiation opportunity. Plus, a snapshot of the region’s dwelling mix, and why the Eastern Suburbs is really a collection of micro-markets.

And a quick local note from Paddington. Jimmy’s Falafel has just opened on Oxford Street, with hours that work for both early dinners and late nights.

Let's dive in. 

In today’s property market, particularly in highly competitive areas like Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, the difference between a renovated and unrenovated home can significantly impact both sale price and time on market. While renovated homes often achieve higher prices, the reasoning behind this trend goes deeper than just aesthetics but it comes down largely to buyer psychology.

The Sydney Eastern Suburbs property market is currently shifting into a more balanced phase, following recent interest rate rises and growing global uncertainty.

Auction clearance rates across Sydney have softened to around 50–55%, with some Eastern Suburbs pockets tracking even lower. This reflects a noticeable change in buyer behaviour; less urgency, more caution, and a stronger focus on value. Buyers are taking longer to make decisions, and we're seeing more properties negotiated post-auction rather than selling under the hammer.

Australia’s housing affordability crisis is one of the most politically charged economic issues of the 2020s. As prices in major cities have climbed far faster than incomes, policymakers and commentators keep returning to tax settings especially capital gains tax (CGT) concessions and negative gearing as levers that could cool the market and make homes more affordable. But would changing CGT concessions truly make a difference, or is it a case of tackling the wrong problem?

We hope you're settling into the year nicely!

In this month's Property Edit, I'm sharing a new unique restaurant in Rose Bay, what's on in the final month of Moonlight Cinema, and a quick read on the real-world details buyers' agents pick up that algorithms simply can't… so you don't discover them the hard way after you've bought.

Let's dive in. 

The announcement surrounding the potential sale and redevelopment of the Paddington Barracks precinct has quickly become one of the most discussed topics across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs property market. As buyers’ agents working closely with both homebuyers and investors, we see these types of strategic land releases as far more than a single transaction, they represent a shift in how supply, infrastructure and buyer demand will evolve across the east over the coming years.

We hope you're settling into the New Year well!

In this month's edition of The Property Edit, we are sharing a recently secured off-market purchase, an insight for buyers navigating near-new homes, and a local walk that captures why lifestyle is number one in Sydney.

Let's dive in. 

With talk of the next move by the RBA being up rather than down when it comes to interest rates, it is important to understand just how powerful and immediate the effect is on household borrowing capacities. One thing is for certain and that is that there is a unanimous belief by economists that the cycle of any further interest rate cuts is now over. For every 25 basis point (0.25%) increase in interest rates, lenders reassess how much a borrower can afford to repay, which directly reduces how much they are willing to lend. For many households, that seemingly small adjustment can be the difference between qualifying for a home loan and falling short.

Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs one of Australia’s most tightly held, prestige driven and lifestyle centric regions has delivered another strong and resilient year in property performance. Despite broader economic fluctuations, mixed consumer sentiment, and shifting borrowing conditions, the east has once again demonstrated why it remains one of the country’s most desirable and competitive real estate markets. From Darlinghurst to Double Bay, Bondi to Queens Park, the 2025 calendar year has showcased steady demand, renewed confidence, and standout results across both the house and apartment sectors.

In this month's edition of The Property Edit, we’re excited to share with you a recently purchased property, a local favourite, and a few reflections as we move toward the end of the year.

Before we dive in, we want to take a moment to wish you a Merry Christmas and the most beautiful New Year. We hope you enjoy some time to pause and be with those you love most. Stay safe, and we will be online if you have any enquiries.