Summary: Sydney home values were broadly flat in October, edging down slightly while rental conditions stayed tight. With the RBA holding the cash rate at 3.60% and markets debating a late-year cut, buyers faced mixed signals as listings improved only modestly.
- Location: Sydney, NSW
- Period: October 2025
- Audience: Buyers & Renters
Key Stats (at a glance)
| Metric | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home values (m/m) | -0.1% | Oct 2025 | CoreLogic HVI (reported) |
| Vacancy rate (national) | 1.2% | Sep 2025 | SQM Research |
| RBA cash rate | 3.60% (held) | Sep–Oct 2025 | Reserve Bank of Australia |
| National home prices (context) | +0.8% m/m | Sep 2025 | Reuters (national context) |
Note: Sydney-specific October rental metrics publish in early November; national vacancy is shown for market tightness context.
What changed and why
- Prices: Early October readings show Sydney slightly negative month-on-month (-0.1%), while Brisbane/Perth outperformed, keeping Sydney’s spring softer than other capitals.
- Rates: The RBA held at 3.60%, keeping a data-dependent stance into late 2025 as inflation prints guide expectations.
- Rentals: National vacancy at 1.2% underscores tight leasing conditions heading into late spring; Sydney remains among the tighter capitals by city norms.
For buyers
- Budget buffers: Serviceability improves only if a further RBA cut materialises. Arrange pre-approval and compare suburb-level comps before bidding.
- Stock mix: With top-quartile houses softer, mid-priced townhouses/units may offer better near-term value.
For renters
- Apply early: With low vacancy, prepare ID, payslips, and references; consider 12-month terms to reduce mid-year rent shock.
- Suburb trade-offs: Watch fringe-metro pockets where weekly medians lag inner-east/north shore levels.
Risks & caveats
- Data timing: Some October metrics publish in early November; figures blend timely indicators with September context.
- Intra-city dispersion: Suburb medians can diverge from the city headline due to stock type and price-quartile mix.
Sources
- CoreLogic – Hedonic Home Value Index (October snapshot)
- SQM Research – National Vacancy Rate (September 2025)
- Reserve Bank of Australia – Monetary Policy Decisions 2025
- Reuters – National home price context (September 2025)