Australian property remains busy, so was the cooling home market talk too early?

We’re back with our housing market crystal ball, deciphering the latest prophecies from Corelogic.
Last week was odd for the Australian property market, to say the least. The capital cities held relatively fast and steady in their clearance rates, curiously unaffected by recent flooding on the east coast.
However, the market appears to have slumped overall. The number of homes and successful sales decreased almost across the board, especially compared to last year’s staggering stats.
While house prices are likely to remain eye-watering until 2023, experts have been predicting an imminent cool-down to the red-hot market. Do these numbers uphold their chilly forecast? Let’s dive in.
House hunting? Auction rates plateau as supply shrinks

Across the combined capital cities this week, there were 2,090 homes up for sale – significantly down from last week’s staggering 2,979 and last year’s 2,218 over the same week. This drop mostly comes from Melbourne, whose market more than halved thanks to the Labour Day long weekend.
Of all the homes up for auction, 72% have sold successfully so far, though final figures could be revised down by Sunday.
This comes off the heels of a relatively chilly week where only 69% of properties sold, compared to the previous five consecutive weeks which all had a strong showing at 70% or above.
Melbourne, usually a property hotbed, was host to only 606 auctions this week, of which 72% have sold so far (compared to last year’s 78%).
Meanwhile in Sydney, 1,028 homes were taken to auction at a preliminary 70% success rate – hugely diminished from last year’s towering 84%.
Torrential rainfall has seemingly done little to dampen buyers’ spirits, as the auction withdrawal rate only rose to a modest 16% in both Brisbane and Sydney last week.
Across the smaller capital cities, sales rates continued their largely meandering plateau.
Canberra | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Hobart | |
Auctions | 88 | 189 | 160 | 18 | 1 |
Preliminary sales rate | 88% | 68% | 78% | 100% | 0% |
Previous housing market slow downs have been attributed to oversupply and buyer hesitancy. However, this week showed us something uniquely worrying: slow or steady sales rates over lower volumes. What does this slothful but diminishing trend mean for housing affordability long-term?
While property trends shift, home loan research is the key

The housing market has been showing worrying signs of fatigue. Taking stock of 2022’s property trends, many experts predict a downturn in the next year or so – or at the very least, a slump.
Lower or steady sale rates, like we saw this week, will likely drive the property prices down over time, with the Commonwealth Bank predicting an 8% drop by 2023. This could hit Sydney and Melbourne the hardest, since last year’s housing mania gave sellers handsome but unsustainable sale prices.
While this could also be great news for first-home buyers hoping to break into a more affordable market, rising fixed-rates and volatile variables keep home loans a significant undertaking. (And the widening gender property gap doesn’t help, either).
All things up: uncertainty surrounding housing affordability and the rising cost of living isn’t inspiring buyer confidence at one end of the spectrum. Those who can invest in property may be excelling, but everyone else is bogged at the startline.
For more information on property trends, have a look at our home loan statistics for 2022. If you’re in the market, you can compare home loans on offer or browse below.
Compare and save on home loans - last updated 11 August 2022
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Smart Booster Home Loan
2 Year Discounted Variable Rate, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.60% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 4.00% p.a. variable3.96% p.a.Already includes July RBA rate increase. New super low introductory rate home loan for two years. Min 20% deposit. No monthly or ongoing fees. Fast settlement times. Mozo award-winning online lender. Friendly, local Australian based team.
CompareCompareSmart Booster Home Loan
Already includes July RBA rate increase. New super low introductory rate home loan for two years. Min 20% deposit. No monthly or ongoing fees. Fast settlement times. Mozo award-winning online lender. Friendly, local Australian based team.
- interest rate
- 3.60% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 4.00% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.96% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.60% p.a.variable for 24 months and then 4.00% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.96% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $520
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - with 0.10% additional interest
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum loan amount
- $50,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $2,000,000
- Type of loan
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Smart Booster Home Loan
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Unloan Variable
Owner Occupier, Refinance Only
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.14% p.a. variable3.06% p.a.For refinancers only. Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply in as little as 10 minutes.
CompareCompareUnloan Variable
For refinancers only. Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply in as little as 10 minutes.
- interest rate
- 3.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.06% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.06% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- -
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum loan amount
- $10,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of loan
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Unloan Variable
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Featured Product
Neat Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.64% p.a. variable3.66% p.a.Low variable rate No annual fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free redraw facility available. Fast digital application. 40% deposit required. Winner of Mozo Experts Choice Australia's Best Essential Bank 2022^.
CompareCompareNeat Home Loan
Low variable rate No annual fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free redraw facility available. Fast digital application. 40% deposit required. Winner of Mozo Experts Choice Australia's Best Essential Bank 2022^.
- interest rate
- 3.64% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.66% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.64% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.66% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $250
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum loan amount
- $80,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $5,000,000
- Type of loan
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Neat Home Loan
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PAYG Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.29% p.a. variable3.33% p.a.Low variable rate. Ideal for new home buyers or refinancers. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraw. Application completely online. Optional 100% offset can be added for $120 p.a.. 20% deposit required.
CompareComparePAYG Home Loan
Low variable rate. Ideal for new home buyers or refinancers. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraw. Application completely online. Optional 100% offset can be added for $120 p.a.. 20% deposit required.
- interest rate
- 3.29% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.33% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.29% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.33% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $840
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $500.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - $10 per month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum loan amount
- $250,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of loan
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the PAYG Home Loan
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Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.79% p.a. variable3.79% p.a.Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required.
CompareCompareCelebrate Variable Home Loan
Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required.
- interest rate
- 3.79% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.79% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.79% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.79% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum loan amount
- $100,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $2,000,000
- Type of loan
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate, loan amount and term entered. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards
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