Should You Sell Now or Wait for the New Year?

If you’ve been tossing up whether to sell your home now or hold off until next year, you’re not alone. Every spring in Canberra, we chat with lots of homeowners asking "should I get the house on the market before Christmas or is the New Year better?

The truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but here’s some practical info to help you work out which is best.

What the Market’s Been Doing

Whilst Domain and CoreLogic use different methods of analysing property prices, both point to the same overall conclusion: the Canberra market is stabilising and even beginning to grow, albeit slowly.

In July 2025, CoreLogic data for Canberra indicates:

• +0.6% monthly growth

• +1.9% quarterly growth

• +0.8% annual growth

So, the tide is turning back into positive territory. But before you get excited, it’s still fairly modest - and trying to “time the market” to hit the absolute peak is even hard for the experts. Using these figures, waiting until March 2026 could possibly mean around $15k or so extra on a modest home - assuming of course that growth stays steady, and the market doesn't take a while to warm up like it did in January 2025!

The Case for Selling Before Christmas

Let’s start with the upside of acting now.

Spring is traditionally a sweet spot for the Canberra property market. Gardens are in bloom, the weather’s warm, and buyers are enjoying the open home circuit. There's a noticeable lift in confidence around this time of year - especially with recent interest rate cuts helping to nudge a few more buyers off the fence.

Prices are holding steady, and in many Canberra suburbs, we’re seeing strong interest in well-presented homes. That includes downsizers looking for easy-care layouts and young families chasing school zones before the new year. If your place is ready to go (or close to it), there’s still time to take advantage of that spring momentum and so you can relax by the time the turkey is on the table.

Plus, there's that little pre-Christmas rush that happens every year: buyers who want to finalise an offer before the holidays or be unpacking boxes in January. They’re motivated - which can translate to faster decisions and stronger offers.

Reasons You Might Wait Until the New Year

That said, hitting pause isn’t a bad move - especially if your home’s not quite ready for its close-up.

If you’re still in the thick of decluttering, painting, or fixing up the garden, it might be better to wait and hit the ground running in late summer or early autumn. A little extra time spent on presentation can really pay off when it comes time to sell.

And let’s not forget: Canberra's market doesn’t grind to a halt in January. In fact, many buyers re-emerge after the holidays, refreshed and ready to go. February and March can be very active months, particularly if supply is still tight after the Christmas break.

There’s also a sense that 2026 could bring more positive movement. If rates continue to soften and buyer demand builds, prices may lift further - especially for houses in family-friendly suburbs or properties that have been well-renovated.

So… What’s the Right Move?

Truthfully, the best time to sell is when your home is looking its absolute best, and when you’re emotionally (and practically) ready.

If that’s now? Let’s make the most of the spring buzz and ride the current momentum. If that’s later? Use this time to prep, plan, and perfect. A polished property, well-timed, will always attract interest—whatever the month.

Not Sure? Let’s Chat

If you're still on the fence, we'd be happy to give you an honest opinion based on your property and suburb. Whether you're eyeing a November sale or thinking autumn 2026, getting the timing right for you is what matters most.

Our fresh perspective might be just what you need.

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