I’m cautious about market predictions. Anyone claiming certainty about property prices is either lying or selling something. But technology provides data patterns that inform reasonable expectations.

Here’s what the signals suggest about 2026.

What Portal Data Indicates

Engagement metrics across major portals tell a story about buyer intent.

Search volume trends: Portal search activity entering 2026 is elevated compared to the same period in 2025. More active searching typically precedes transaction volume increases.

Engagement quality: Time spent on listings, save rates, and enquiry conversion all show healthy patterns. Buyers aren’t just browsing; they’re researching with purchase intent.

Geographic patterns: Strong interest in middle-ring suburbs across Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane maintaining elevated interstate interest. Perth and Adelaide showing continued strength.

These indicators suggest a functional market with genuine buyer demand.

Technology Adoption Signals

How agents are investing in technology reveals market expectations.

CRM investment: Agencies are investing in CRM capability, suggesting expectation of transaction volume worth managing.

Marketing spend: Digital marketing investment is up, indicating confidence in market activity justifying expenditure.

AI adoption: Accelerating AI tool adoption suggests agencies preparing for productivity needs of active markets.

Recruitment patterns: Technology-enabled agencies are hiring, indicating expansion expectations.

These investments reflect collective market confidence, though they don’t guarantee outcomes.

Segment Predictions

Different market segments face different dynamics.

Premium Market ($3M+)

Technology indicators suggest continued demand from:

• Downsizers with equity from long-held properties
• Executives and professionals
• Interstate and international purchasers

Virtual tour engagement from overseas IP addresses remains elevated, suggesting international buyer interest persists.

Mainstream Market ($1M-$3M)

The most active segment based on engagement data.

Key factors:

• Interest rate stability supporting confidence
• Accumulated demand from cautious 2025 buyers
• Strong employment supporting purchasing capacity

This segment is most sensitive to interest rate movements.

Entry Level (Under $1M)

First home buyer activity remains constrained by affordability but supported by government schemes.

Technology signals:

• High research engagement but lower conversion
• Strong interest in affordable areas
• Government scheme calculator usage elevated

This segment’s 2026 performance depends heavily on policy and rate environments.

Regional Variation

Sydney

Eastern Suburbs and Northern Beaches showing strong premium market signals. Middle-ring suburbs (Inner West, North Shore) showing family home demand. Outer suburbs facing affordability constraints.

Melbourne

Inner-city apartment oversupply concerns persist based on listing volumes. Family-friendly middle suburbs showing strong engagement. Regional Victoria maintaining appeal for lifestyle relocators.

Brisbane

Continued interstate migration interest based on search origin data. Growth corridor interest remains elevated. Inner-city market stabilising after rapid appreciation.

Perth and Adelaide

Both markets showing strong engagement metrics relative to listing volumes. These markets may continue outperforming eastern capitals.

Risk Factors

Several factors could change the outlook:

Interest rate surprises: Unexpected rate movement would quickly impact buyer behaviour.

Economic shock: Recession or major employer failures would override local market factors.

Regulatory change: Government intervention in housing markets creates uncertainty.

Global events: International economic or geopolitical disruption affects Australian markets.

Practical Implications

Whatever the market does, these technology priorities remain valid:

CRM discipline: A clean, well-managed database supports relationship-based business in any market.

Quality content: Professional marketing performs in strong and weak markets.

Data literacy: Understanding and communicating market data builds credibility.

Digital presence: Online visibility shapes perceptions before personal interaction.

Process efficiency: Technology-enabled efficiency allows better client service or higher volume handling.

My Overall Assessment

Based on current technology signals, 2026 appears positioned for a healthy but not exceptional market. Strong enough for well-prepared agencies to perform well; not so strong that poor performers are saved by market momentum.

The agencies that invested in technology capability during 2025 are positioned to capture the market’s opportunities. Those still catching up will find the year more challenging.

Use January to ensure your technology foundation is solid before the market fully returns from summer.

---

Linda Powers interprets technology signals to inform market expectations. Predictions reflect data patterns, not guaranteed outcomes.