2026 Australian Property Owner Report: Why More Investors Are Selling

Key findings

Across thousands of conversations with property owners, several common themes keep emerging. The biggest drivers behind a decision to sell are:

• Higher interest rates — the Reserve Bank held the cash rate at 4.35% on 16 June 2026 after three rises earlier in the year, keeping holding costs elevated (rba.gov.au).
• Rising land tax costs — thresholds and rates set by each state revenue office have lifted bills for many investors (e.g. revenue.nsw.gov.au, sro.vic.gov.au, qro.qld.gov.au).
• Rental regulation changes — evolving tenancy rules across the states are adding to compliance and cost (e.g. consumer.vic.gov.au, fairtrading.nsw.gov.au).
• Portfolio restructuring — owners trimming or rebalancing holdings.
• Concerns about future tax reforms — the proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax from 1 July 2027 (ato.gov.au, treasury.gov.au).

Property remains a popular long-term investment — but many owners are becoming more selective about which properties they keep.

What we’re seeing at No Agent Property

Over the past 12 months, our team has spoken with thousands of Australian property owners weighing a sale. Many aren’t selling because they have to — they’re selling because they expect the next 12–24 months to bring more competition as additional stock enters the market.

Which states are seeing the most activity?

Our private sale campaign data shows strong activity in:

• Queensland
• Western Australia
• Northern Territory
• Regional Victoria

These markets continue to attract strong buyer enquiry and remain popular with both owner-occupiers and investors.

Is this the start of a property flood?

Not necessarily. Australia still faces real housing supply challenges — building approvals and completions tracked by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au) have struggled to keep pace with demand. But many investors are reassessing their portfolios at the same time, and even a modest lift in listings could increase competition between sellers.

Frequently asked questions

Are investors selling because of interest rates?

Interest rates are one factor, but not the only one. Rising holding costs, land tax changes and regulatory reforms are all influencing decisions.

Is now a bad time to sell property?

Not necessarily. Properties continue to sell every day across Australia, and many sellers are achieving strong results in today’s market.

Are buyers still active?

Yes. Buyers continue to transact despite higher interest rates. The right property, priced correctly, can still attract strong enquiry.

Will more properties come onto the market in 2026 and 2027?

Many analysts expect listing volumes to increase as investors review their portfolios and market conditions evolve — particularly ahead of the proposed tax changes taking effect on 1 July 2027 (ato.gov.au).

Final thoughts

The Australian property market is changing. Some investors are holding, some are buying, and some are selling. What’s clear is that many owners are reviewing their options more carefully than they have in years.

For those considering a sale, understanding market conditions and acting strategically may prove more important than trying to perfectly time the market.

Sources: Reserve Bank of Australia (rba.gov.au); Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au); Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au); The Treasury (treasury.gov.au); state revenue offices and tenancy authorities.

This article is general information only and does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice. Proposed tax reforms referenced are not yet law. Speak with a qualified professional about your specific circumstances.