iscover
iscover 
Data released by SQM Research showed that total nationwide residential property listings increased by 4.5 per cent in January 2025, reaching 243,642 listed properties. This marks a significant 10.3 per cent rise compared to the same time last year.
The increase in listings was evident across most major cities. Sydney saw a notable rise of 7.3 per cent month on month, with listings reaching 29,791, reflecting a 19.0 per cent higher figure compared to January 2024. Melbourne also experienced a modest 2.1 per cent increase, bringing total listings to 37,873, which marks a 15.9 per cent rise year on year.
Brisbane recorded the highest monthly rise at 9.8 per cent, reaching 16,241 listings, though the yearly increase was more modest at 4.4 per cent. Perth followed with a 7.9 per cent increase in listings month on month and a 5.0 per cent rise year on year.
Adelaide and Hobart both saw gains of 6.0 per cent and 6.8 per cent, respectively, although Adelaide was the only capital city to record a slight annual decline of 1.4 per cent.
Canberra posted the strongest yearly growth at 30.7 per cent, with a 3.3 per cent rise in listings from December to January.
In contrast, Darwin was the only capital city to experience both a monthly and yearly decline. Listings fell by 1.3 per cent in January 2025 and dropped by 24.1 per cent compared to January 2024.
The data suggested a strong start to 2025, with property listings sharply increasing across most regions, notably in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra.
However, the rise in listings appears to be concentrated in the private treaty market, as auction listings have started off the first two weeks of February 2025 down by approximately 7 per cent compared to the same period in February 2024.
Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research, said on the figures: “2025 appears to have started strongly on the residential property listings front across the country with a 10 per cent rise in total property listings, driven by a sharp rise in new listings.
“At this stage, it is hard to know whether this has been driven by a rise in vendor confidence or a fear by vendors seeking to exit the market now. After all, let’s recall, 2024 did end on a rather weak note and the expectations of an imminent cut in interest rates only occurred from last week’s inflation numbers.
“Going forward, the RBA’s meeting and interest rate decision on the 18th of February will naturally be the focus for most participants. If an interest rate cut does occur, we believe this will lift confidence in buyer demand, with housing prices expected to rise between 6 per cent and 10 per cent for the year.”
[RELATED: Domain’s Australian property market predictions for 2025]
