Spring 2025 is underway, and the market is speaking through data. While traditional metrics like clearance rates and median prices take time to compile, technology platforms provide real-time signals about market direction.

Here’s what I’m seeing in the data.

Portal Engagement Signals

Engagement metrics across REA and Domain tell a story about buyer intent.

Search volume: Up approximately 12% compared to August 2024. More people are actively looking, which typically precedes transaction volume increases.

Time on listing: Average engagement time per listing has increased, suggesting serious consideration rather than casual browsing. Buyers are doing research, not just dreaming.

Saved property volumes: The number of properties buyers are saving to watchlists has risen significantly. This forward indicator suggests active purchase intent.

Enquiry conversion: The ratio of views to enquiries has improved, indicating that buyers who find relevant properties are taking action rather than continuing to browse.

What the Data Suggests

These signals collectively suggest a market with genuine buyer demand and readiness to transact. The patterns differ from late 2024, when engagement was high but enquiry conversion lagged.

Several factors likely contribute:

• Interest rate stability providing confidence
• Accumulated demand from cautious buyers who waited through uncertainty
• Strong employment market supporting purchase capacity
• Improved sentiment as economic concerns ease

Regional Variations

The data shows meaningful variation across markets.

Sydney: Strong engagement particularly in middle-ring family suburbs. Eastern Suburbs and Northern Beaches showing premium market activity. Outer suburbs engagement growing but conversion rates vary.

Melbourne: Inner-city apartment engagement remains soft relative to house engagement. Middle suburbs showing strongest buyer activity. Regional Victoria continues attracting Melbourne movers.

Brisbane: Sustained interest, though growth rate appears to be moderating from recent peaks. Interstate buyer engagement remains elevated.

Perth and Adelaide: Both showing strong buyer activity, continuing their recent outperformance relative to eastern markets.

Implications for Vendors

Vendors listing in spring 2025 face favourable conditions based on current signals:

Buyer pool depth: Engagement data suggests sufficient buyer numbers to support competitive outcomes for well-priced properties.

Marketing responsiveness: High engagement rates mean quality marketing materials generate strong returns. Investment in professional presentation is justified.

Pricing realism matters: Despite strong conditions, overpricing still creates problems. Data shows that realistically priced properties outperform overpriced properties by wider margins when buyer demand is strong.

Implications for Agents

The data points toward a strong spring, which creates both opportunity and challenge.

Capacity planning: Strong markets strain agency resources. Ensure your team and systems can handle increased volume.

Vendor expectations: Strong market signals can inflate vendor pricing expectations. Use data to maintain realistic conversations.

Competition intensity: Other agents are seeing the same signals. Listing competition will be fierce.

Cautions and Caveats

Technology signals provide insight, not certainty. Several factors could shift the picture:

Interest rate surprises: Any unexpected rate movement would impact buyer behaviour quickly.

External shocks: Global economic or geopolitical events could override local market conditions.

Supply response: If vendor confidence creates listing volume spikes, buyer competition decreases.

Seasonal patterns: Spring traditionally performs well; the signals may partly reflect seasonal norms rather than exceptional conditions.

Use data to inform strategy, not to guarantee outcomes. The market has surprised us before.

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Linda Powers analyses technology-derived market signals to inform agency strategy. Data interpretation requires experience alongside the numbers.