Key takeaway: Less competition is making Brisbane buyers hesitate rather than act, says Lauren Jones, Principal of Lauren Jones Buyers Agents. With few rival offers and weeks to decide, buyers talk themselves out of purchases. Homes that once sold in a week can now sit for a month to six weeks, giving buyers negotiating power not seen in years.
In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Lauren Jones, Principal of Lauren Jones Buyers Agents and a Qualified Property Investment Advisor (QPIA®), with extensive experience across real estate and financial services.
Brisbane has been one of the standout performers in Australia’s property market, but beneath the headlines, the dynamics are shifting. While recent data still paints a strong picture, what’s happening on the ground tells a different story. From slowing buyer activity to rising uncertainty driven by interest rates, global events, and policy changes, the market is entering a new phase.
In this conversation, Lauren breaks down what she’s seeing firsthand on why buyers are hesitating despite improved conditions, where real opportunities are emerging, and how investor sentiment has dramatically shifted since the latest budget. The episode explores the disconnect between data and reality, and what it means for those still looking to grow their portfolio.
Yes, Lauren says it has slowed a lot, particularly in the last month or so. Interest rate rises spooked first home buyers, the war in Iran added uncertainty, and then came the budget. She says the data paints a better picture than she sees on the ground. Sellers are hesitant to list, older listings aren’t being absorbed, and since the budget investor enquiry in her business has almost entirely dried up.
Not usually, according to Lauren. She has not seen this many off-market listings since probably 2022, but many owners will only sell if an agent brings a buyer at their top price, to avoid spending $10,000 to $30,000 on marketing and staging. She finds on-market listings better value now because sellers who commit to a campaign are motivated and often prepared to take a haircut, particularly at the upper end.
Lauren favours owner-occupier dominated areas, which she expects to keep paying an emotional premium over the next 6 to 12 months, such as Brisbane City Council, Moreton Bay and the Redlands. She would steer away from investor-heavy Logan and Ipswich. She also likes quality homes within 300 metres’ walk of local shops, because a proposed Brisbane City Council change could extend small-lot subdivision rules from 200 to 300 metres.
Lauren urges investors not to run into brand new stock for now. She expects potential valuation issues because the buyer pool for new property is already mostly first home buyers and investors, so if you’re forced to sell within one to 10 years you may not recoup your costs. Instead, she suggests buying quality properties that will perform in any market and stress testing your numbers for higher rates and the negative gearing changes.
This is general information from the podcast, not financial advice.
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