If you’ve been sitting on the fence about listing, the numbers coming out of Perth right now make a pretty strong case for getting off it. Homes in South Perth and Como are moving faster than almost anywhere in the country, and there simply isn’t much competing stock for buyers to choose from. At Bourkes, we’re fielding more “should I sell now” conversations than usual, so we thought it was worth laying out what it looks like to sell property in Perth in 2026 and what that means for owners in our patch.
Conditions clearly favour sellers. There is a catch, though, and it’s keeping plenty of owners on the sidelines, so it’s worth understanding before you commit.
A Market Moving at Record Pace
Late last year, the time to sell a Perth house dropped to a record low of eight days, according to REIWA. REIWA President Suzanne Brown has also pointed to discounting at its lowest level in decades, with just 9.9% of houses selling below their listing price in the December 2025 quarter. Well-presented, correctly priced homes aren’t waiting around for an offer. They’re attracting buyers almost as soon as they hit the market.
That speed comes down to one thing: there is very little stock to go around.
Why Stock Is So Scarce Right Now
REIWA reported that Perth’s active listings fell to a record low of 1,881 at the end of December 2025, more than 57 per cent below the year before. For sellers, that scarcity works in your favour.
- Fewer homes on the market means less competition for your listing.
- Buyers who have missed out elsewhere are often ready to move quickly on the next property that suits.
- A well-marketed home can attract multiple offers rather than waiting for the right buyer to appear.
With conditions like that, you’d expect more owners to be listing. Many aren’t, and the reason is simple.
The Catch: Where Do You Live Next?
Plenty of owners who want to sell are stuck on one question. If homes are selling this fast, where do you live while you find your next one? Short-term rentals are hard to come by as well, especially if you need to stay close to work or school. REIWA members have described it as a logjam, and Suzanne Brown has encouraged sellers to raise it with their agent early. The options we see most often are:
- Negotiating a longer settlement period, which gives you extra time to secure your next home.
- Listing on the condition that you find a suitable property first, so you’re not left without somewhere to go.
- Planning your timing with your agent before you list, rather than working it out afterwards.
None of these suit every situation, but they’re worth discussing before you rule out selling altogether. Getting the timing right also raises the question of when to list.
Does Spring Selling Still Matter?
Spring has long been the busiest time to list in Perth, and many owners still plan around it out of habit. In a market this short on stock, the season matters far less than it used to. Buyers are active all year, and a well-presented home can do just as well in winter as it would in the spring rush. Holding out for spring out of habit could mean missing months of strong conditions.
Whenever you decide to list, the first step is knowing what your home is actually worth.
Why a Local Appraisal Beats an Online Estimate
Online estimate tools can give you a ballpark figure, but they work from broad data. They can’t tell the difference between a renovated kitchen in Como and a dated one two streets over, and in a fast-moving, suburb-specific market, that gap matters.
A local Bourkes agent can walk through your property, compare it against what has sold nearby in recent weeks and give you a figure based on what buyers are paying right now. If you’d like to see where your property sits, you can book a free appraisal with our sales team.
Getting Your Home Ready to Sell
Once you have your number, it’s time to prepare the home. Presentation still matters, even in a seller’s market.
- Declutter and depersonalise each room so buyers can picture themselves living there.
- Fix small, obvious problems such as chipped paint, dripping taps and worn grout before the photos are taken.
- Invest in professional photography. Buyers scroll through dozens of listings a day, and your online first impression does most of the work.
- Consider styling if the home is vacant, or a light refresh of furniture placement if you’re still living in it.
Setting a Realistic Asking Price
Presentation draws buyers in, but price decides whether that interest turns into an offer. Picking the highest figure you’ve seen on a nearby listing won’t get you there. Your agent should be working through comparable sales rather than asking prices, street by street and sometimes block by block across South Perth and Como.
Overpricing can cost you in a fast market. Buyers used to quick, competitive campaigns tend to move on when a listing looks out of step with recent sales.
What Happens Once an Offer Is Accepted
After you accept an offer, your agent’s role shifts from marketing the property to managing the process through to the finish line. That typically includes liaising between you and the buyer, coordinating building and pest inspections where relevant and keeping both parties informed as conditions are met.
The legal and financial steps that follow, including contract review and settlement itself, sit with your settlement agent or solicitor. We’d always recommend lining one up before you list.
Thinking About Selling in South Perth or Como?
Our sales team has been reading this market, suburb by suburb, for years. If you’re weighing up whether now is the right time, reach out for an honest conversation, or book an appraisal to see where your property stands.
Disclaimer: Figures in this article are based on REIWA market data and commentary current at the time of publication. Market conditions can shift quickly, and this article does not cover the legal or settlement process of selling a property. Readers should speak with their settlement agent or solicitor for guidance specific to their transaction.
