Why Asking Prices Are a Great Indicator of the Market

When we look at property prices, many reports focus on median or average sale prices. These can be helpful, but they often lag behind what’s really happening in the market. Asking prices – the prices sellers advertise when they first list their property – give us a much earlier and more accurate read on market conditions. Here’s why:

1. Real-Time Market Sentiment

Asking prices reflect what sellers are feeling right now.

  • If sellers are confident, they list higher.

  • If they’re nervous, they drop their price expectations.

Because of this, asking prices often move before actual sale prices, making them a great early warning sign of where the market is heading.

2. Predicting Future Price Trends

If asking prices steadily rise, it usually means actual sale prices will follow in the coming months. The same is true in reverse – falling asking prices can signal a softening market ahead.

3. Fast Response to Economic Changes

When interest rates, job markets, or economic conditions change, asking prices are the first to respond. This gives us a quicker picture of how big-picture factors are influencing property markets.

4. Capturing Regional Differences

Australia’s property market isn’t one market – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth all behave differently. Asking prices let us see these regional shifts as they happen.

5. Reflecting Supply and Demand

Asking prices respond directly to supply and demand.

  • Short supply and high demand = higher asking prices.

  • Oversupply or slower demand = softer prices.

Important: Asking prices aren’t the only thing we look at – we also consider actual sales results, auction clearance rates, and days on market. But asking prices are a powerful early signal, which is why we watch them closely when advising buyers and sellers.

How My Apartment Buyers Service May Be Able To Help You

Buying an apartment — especially in a fast-changing market — can feel overwhelming. That’s where an experienced buyers’ agent makes a real difference.

I give you real-time suburb insights, so you know which buildings and locations are in demand, where listing numbers are tight, and where real value still exists. I also uncover off-market opportunities you won’t find online — giving you a head start before the wider market even knows they’re available. This is a key part of my expertise.

When you’re ready to act, I provide clear price modelling based on recent sales and help you position yourself before auction to secure the right property at the right price. Beyond the numbers, I manage the detail — building checks, strata reviews, and contract risks — so you can buy with confidence, knowing there are no nasty surprises later.

In short, I represent your interests from start to finish, helping you buy the right apartment, at the right price, with less stress and more certainty — even when competition heats up.

Let’s Have a Chat

If you’re thinking about buying an apartment — now or in the future — I’d be happy to share my insights and answer your questions. There’s no obligation and no hard sell, just practical advice to help you make well-informed decisions.