With rents continuing to rise across much of Australia and rental availability remaining tight, more Australians are asking the same question: is now the right time to buy a property? The short answer? For some people, yes. For others, waiting may still make more sense. There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to property. The right time to buy ultimately comes down to your financial position, your objectives and how long you are prepared to hold the property.
Rising rents are changing the equation
Rental markets remain challenging for tenants, with tight vacancy rates and limited supply continuing to put upward pressure on rents.
In Sydney, for example, median house rents reached a record $850 per week in the June quarter of 2026, following a $50 quarterly increase. While rental growth is not uniform across every city or property type, the broader rental market remains tight.
For someone currently renting, this raises an interesting question.
If your rent is increasing year after year, could those payments instead contribute towards owning an asset? That doesn't necessarily mean buying is automatically the better financial decision. Home ownership comes with a deposit, stamp duty, loan repayments, maintenance, insurance and other costs that renters don't necessarily carry. But for buyers who are financially ready and looking at the property as a long-term investment or home, today's rental environment can form part of the equation.
Property prices aren't the whole story
One of the reasons the current market is interesting is that property prices and rents are moving in different directions.
While rents have continued to increase in many markets, Sydney and Melbourne property prices have softened during 2026. This has created more negotiating room for some buyers and, importantly, means buyers don't necessarily have to compete in the same conditions we have seen during periods of strong price growth.
For the right buyer, a softer market can present an opportunity. It may mean being able to negotiate on price, take more time to conduct due diligence or find a property that would have been out of reach during a stronger market. But it is important not to confuse a softer market with a guaranteed bargain.
Property prices can continue to move up or down, and nobody can accurately predict exactly where the market will be in six or twelve months.
So, should you buy now?
Rather than trying to pick the exact bottom of the market, a better question may be: Does buying now make sense for your circumstances and your long-term objectives?
For some buyers, the answer could be yes.
If you have a strong deposit, can comfortably manage your repayments, have a stable income and intend to hold the property for the long term, buying in a slower market may provide an opportunity to secure the right property without having to compete at the peak of the cycle.
For investors, rising rents can also be an attractive factor. A property with strong rental demand and sustainable rental growth may provide a stronger income return over time. However, investors should look beyond the headline rental figure. A high rent doesn't necessarily mean a high-performing investment. Interest rates, purchase price, vacancy periods, maintenance, strata costs, insurance, management fees and tax considerations all need to be factored into the numbers.
What about waiting?
Waiting can also be a perfectly sensible decision.
If buying would leave you financially stretched, if you don't have a sufficient buffer for unexpected costs, or if you are unsure about where you want to live or invest, there is value in waiting until you are ready. There is also no guarantee that buying today will produce better results than buying in six months. Trying to perfectly time the property market is incredibly difficult. By the time there is certainty that prices have reached their lowest point, competition may already have returned.
Look at the property, not just the market
One of the biggest mistakes buyers can make is becoming too focused on what the overall property market is doing.
Property is local.
A well-located apartment with strong rental demand can perform very differently from an oversupplied development. A family home in an established suburb can have completely different prospects from a property in an area experiencing a large amount of new construction. For investors in particular, understanding the rental market should be just as important as understanding the sales market.
What are comparable properties achieving in rent? How quickly are they leasing? What type of renter is attracted to the area? Is rental demand likely to remain strong? And are there upcoming developments that could increase competing rental supply?
These are the questions that can help determine whether a property is likely to work as an investment.
The bottom line
There is no perfect time to buy property. There are good markets, challenging markets and opportunities within both.
With rents continuing to rise and rental supply remaining constrained, property ownership may make increasing financial sense for people who are currently renting and are financially ready to make the transition. At the same time, softer property prices and increased uncertainty mean buyers shouldn't feel pressured to rush into a purchase simply because rents are rising.
The right time to buy is when the property, the numbers and your circumstances all line up.
If you can afford to buy comfortably, have a clear objective and are prepared to take a long-term view, the current market may present an opportunity worth exploring. And if the numbers don't stack up yet, waiting until they do is just as valid a strategy.
At BTR Group, we believe good property decisions start with understanding the numbers, the market and the long-term objective, not trying to predict the next market cycle.
Ready to make your next move?
Whether you're considering buying your first home, looking for your next investment property, or simply searching for your next rental, the right advice can make all the difference. At BTR Group, we understand both sides of the property market. Our team can help you explore your options, find the right property and make your next move with confidence.
Thinking about buying? We can help you identify opportunities and find a property that aligns with your goals.
Looking for your next rental? We can help you find a home that suits your lifestyle, budget and needs.
Get in touch with the BTR Group team today to start your next property journey.
