Adelaide Property: From FOMO to Fundamentals

Adelaide’s housing market has shifted from an overheated phase to a more normal, “measured” one, with average days on market moving from 23 to about 30. This does not signal falling prices; homes are worth more now than three, six or twelve months ago, but are being priced closer to their true value rather than deliberately underquoted to fuel bidding frenzies. Psychology drives much of the anxiety: vendors perceive a slower sale or smaller “above reserve” result as a loss, even when prices far exceed past benchmarks. Longer campaigns now expose whether agents are genuinely working buyers, following up and using data, or coasting. At higher price points, buyers are more selective, so finding the right purchaser matters more than speed. In some cases, especially at the prestige end, renting and investing sale proceeds can be financially superior to owning. Looking ahead, prices are expected to stabilise while incomes eventually rise to narrow today’s extreme affordability gap.