While falling interest rates often mean better borrowing capacity and more opportunities for buyers, they also usually mean more buyers – which can sometimes make it harder to secure a home.

Luckily there are a few strategies that you can use to get ahead of the game in a competitive market.

FALLING RATES TO DRIVE DEMAND

Sydney buyers agent and founding director of Bought, Bianca Field, says buyers are already starting to move more quickly now that rates are falling.

“I’ve seen an increase in the urgency of them wanting to buy faster,” she says. “They’re anticipating that there’s going to be more demand and they don’t want to be buying with the increased amount of buyers looking.”

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REBAA president Melinda Jennison from Streamlined Property Buyers says markets where there is an undersupply of housing, such as Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane are likely to be the most impacted by rate cuts.

“It will definitely have an impact on buyer demand,” she says.

STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD

So, how do you stand out against other buyers when it comes to making an offer?

Jennison says there are a number of strategies you can use – but first you need to understand the seller’s motivation.

“You can change your terms or the conditions of your offer but unless that appeals to the seller it might not have the impact that you’re wanting it to have,” she says.

For example, writing a letter that expresses your love for the property and why you would like to raise your family in it might not appeal to an investor’s emotions quite in the same way as an empty nester’s, she says.

“If sellers are looking for flexible settlement terms, you can potentially negotiate a settlement time frame to be longer or shorter depending on what the sellers’ needs are,” she says. “You can also look at releasing the deposit early. Sometimes that can free up a seller to go and actually purchase elsewhere – and that might be the bottleneck that’s causing them to slow down the sale.”

PROVIDING CERTAINTY

Being finance-ready is also important. Being able to get a final approval on finance in the shortest time frame possible is very helpful as it adds more certainty to your offer, she says.

Another way to provide certainty is to put down a larger deposit.

“A larger deposit generally shows strength with the offer and provides a little bit more certainty and confidence for the seller as well,” she says.

GETTING AHEAD OF THE GAME

Another way you can beat the competition is to see the properties before anyone else does.

“Get in early,” Field says. “Target off and pre-market properties. Stay front of mind with agents by giving a clear brief – and three or four recent comparable sales is even better.”

If there is a property going to auction, Field suggests making “a pre-auction knockout offer” or rehearsing your bidding pattern before you arrive.

“An auction is designed to get the best outcome from a buyer because people get emotionally entangled and they don’t have enough time to think logically,” she says. “So if you buy a property prior to auction or through a private treaty, you can have a well-mapped out strategy of buying the home without the time pressure.”

When it comes to making an offer prior to auction, she suggests asking the agent what the vendor’s dream offer is and explaining that you want to be competitive and will have to discuss the funds needed with your broker. If they can’t answer that, you’ll have to do your own research based on comparables, keeping in mind the market might be going up as rates drop.

“In four weeks time, you might be in a far more inflated market,” she says.

SIGNS OF A COMPETITIVE MARKET

Wondering what you’re up against? Our experts say the following signs usually indicate higher levels of buyer demand, meaning you are probably walking into a highly competitive market.

* High attendance at open inspections

* High bidder registrations at auctions

* Lower levels of properties listed for sale

* Properties selling quickly

* Sales prices rising rapidly

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Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) endorsements fell sharply in August, even as a handful of reverse mortgage lenders continued to dominate the market.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured 2,062 HECMs in August, according to data compiled by New View Advisors that was released on Wednesday. That marked a 13% decline from July and the lowest monthly total since February.

The slowdown came as the market remained heavily concentrated among just three firms. Mutual of Omaha Mortgage led all lenders with 460 loans in August and a 23% market share over the past 12 months. Finance of America (FOA) followed with 402 loans, while Longbridge Financial logged 306.

Together, the three companies accounted for about 61% of all HECM endorsements between September 2024 and August 2025, according to New View’s analysis.

Regionally, California’s Santa Ana Homeownership Center — which oversees much of the western U.S. — continued to lead the nation with 699 endorsements in August. That was down from recent peaks but still well ahead of the Atlanta and Philadelphia centers, which logged a respective 497 and 427 endorsements during the month.

Wholesale activity continued to drive HECM volume. Among the most active wholesale sponsors — referring to entities that sponsored loans originated by another party — Longbridge Financial took the top spot, sponsoring 3,358 such loans in the past year. It was followed by FOA with 2,518 loans.

While there was no August 2025 data available for the wholesale sponsor portion of the report, the latest available data from June showed FOA in the lead with 242 loans.

In a separate report from New View Advisors released on Tuesday, HECM Mortgage-Backed Securities (HMBS) issuance also cooled in August, falling to $502 million. That’s down $39 million from July’s figure of $541 million. There were 75 pools issued, four fewer than in July.

FOA was the top issuer in August with $152 million, which was a decrease of $3 million from July. Issuance from Longbridge was $111 million, down $3 million from July, while Mutual of Omaha’s $98 million in issuance was down by $7 million.

PHH Mortgage Corp. issued $87 million, which represented a $21 million decrease from July’s figure of $108 million. The Ginnie Mae-controlled Reverse Mortgage Funding portfolio again issued no HMBS pools, New View reported.

First-participation HMBS production totaled $322 million in August, down from $343 million in July and $350 million in June. Last month’s 75 pools included 18 original pools, 55 tail pools and two mixed pools. Original pools are HMBS pools backed by first participations in previously uncertificated HECM loans, while tail HMBS issuances are HMBS pools consisting of subsequent participations.

Tail issuance totaled $179 million, down from $197 million in July.

Notable in the August HMBS issuance data are 19 pools with aggregate pool sizes of less than $1 million, made possible by Ginnie Mae’s rule allowing pools as small as $250,000. This represents $8.7 million of unpaid principal balance (UPB) that may not otherwise have been issued in August.

Ginnie Mae also issued APM 23-11 in 2023, which allows participations from the same loan to be pooled more than once in the same month. Such pools accounted for $58.1 million in August, including $2.6 million in first participations.

Every element of this property reflects a fastidious attention to detail.

Meticulous craftsmanship shows in the careful articulation of space — from the seamless transitions between indoors and outdoors, to the selection of materials informed by acclaimed architectural firm Rosevear Stephenson’s philosophy of creating calm, enduring and elemental homes.

Lot 2/636 Summerleas Rd is an extraordinary, hidden masterpiece, says property partner at The Agency Hobart, Georgie Rayner.

It is a property that stands as a testament to architectural precision and thoughtful integration into its natural setting, she said.

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“This property is timeless. It is a credit to its owners Rebecca and Jeremy Wallbank,” she said.

“Every angle, every room, every view, every piece of architectural design, every fixture and fitting, it is extraordinary,” Mrs Rayner said.

“The hairs stand up on your arms when you visit this property.

“It’s an experience that will leave you speechless.

“It is also a home that feels comforting, homely. The worries of the world come off your shoulders.

“Just from the “coming soon” marketing last week ahead of the launch this week, the inquiries have not stopped.”

The property unfolds across two titles with more than 22ha and 109ha (327 acres), including untouched eucalypt forest.

From every aspect of the property, sweeping, unrestricted views stretch across forested hills and expansive waterways.

In one direction, views stretch out across Bruny Island, Opossum Bay, Coningham and Cape Raoul. Turn around, and there’s an uninterrupted view of the majestic mountain.

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The design maximises these vistas, inviting the landscape to permeate interior and exterior spaces, with multiple indoor and outdoor living and entertainment areas thoughtfully positioned to capture the best of the surroundings.

Inside, the home’s warm embrace is delivered via ducted heating, a fireplace, woollen carpets, and underfloor heating.

From the entrance there is a laundry, multiple bedrooms off a hall and the first bathroom.

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The floorplan curves in an L-shape to reveal two living spaces, the kitchen and dining area, a 11m-long deck, and the luxe primary bedroom and ensuite.

Across the yard in the studio is a further bedroom, living area, bathroom, deck and an office.

The property features celery-top pine cladding, commercial grade window frames, burnished concrete floors, a Jindara wood heater, blackout bedroom roller blinds, and hydronic floor heating.

There is a secure yard for children and pets to play in, and a wildlife-proof vegetable patch.

Entertainers will discover a walk-in pantry in the kitchen alongside Smeg and Siemens appliances — microwave, freestanding 90cm-wide gas cooktop with electric oven, dishwasher — plus a Vintec wine fridge.

This is complimented by an outdoor barbecue dining space with a wood-fired pizza oven, plus a fire pit with seating.

While having the appearance, and the generous space of its bush surroundings, the property is only a 15-minute drive to the Hobart CBD.

Mrs Rayner said the privacy that is offered is paramount.

It is a home that feels nestled amid its thoughtfully designed landscaping and dense bush, she said.

“And it is entirely shielded from neighbours,” she said.

Extending across its vast land, the estate offers endless possibilities: imagine private walking trails, large-scale gardens, or simply the untouched wilderness.

“The generous parcel invites reflection and exploration, a canvas for retreat and adventure,” Mrs Rayner said.

Lot 2/636 Summerleas Rd and No.424 Summerleas Rd in Fern Tree are for sale with The Agency Hobart for “Offers over $3.9m”.

The post Luxe Fern Tree home nestled in 327-acre retreat appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The vendor of this original Belmont home had a literal light bulb moment when she first stumbled upon the mid-century gem.

“The incredible light fittings are probably the thing that made me buy it – they are amazing.” she said.

“Then there’s the crazy paving walls and all the timber. I just really like that period and I love mid-century houses.”

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The 1960s time capsule at 5 Tiverton St, Belmont, has all the signature features of the era, from hardwood timber panelled feature walls, exposed rafters and a wall of north-facing glass.

With a coveted architectural style that saw it featured on the cover of Spaces magazine, the four-bedroom house is offered to market for just the second time since 1982.

Hayeswinckle, Highton agent Michelle Winckle has set a $950,000 to $1.045m price guide for the 626sq m property.

The vendor said the house had fantastic bones for a sympathetic renovation, with buyers only needing to look next door to a recently revamped Neil Everist classic for inspiration.

There’s also plenty of features to work with inside the existing home, from the bathroom’s original terrazzo flooring to the stone feature wall in the front living room.

“Someone who has got an eye for this era could create a really stunning home,” the vendor said.

“I would very much love the new owner to relish it, not knock it down, but to treasure it because I think it’s a very cool house but it does need some TLC.”

Minor kitchen updates, fresh paint and the installation of blinds are among improvements she’s made to the solid brick home over the past 16 years.

As well a cosy open-plan kitchen and meals area, it has two living rooms and a covered crazy paved terrace.

A small door used for milk deliveries is another quirky feature that still remain today.

The vendor said there was space to extend out into the back yard, currently planted out with fruit trees and flowers.

The post Mid-century Belmont time capsule listed in original 1960s condition appeared first on realestate.com.au.

More than one in four U.S. homes — valued at $12.7 trillion — are exposed to severe or extreme climate risks, according to a report released Tuesday by Realtor.com.

The analysis found that threats from flooding, hurricane winds and wildfires are increasingly reshaping housing markets, homeowner costs and insurance availability.

“Climate risks are no longer a distant threat for U.S. housing — they are a present reality that put a large chunk of U.S. real estate value at risk,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com. “In many markets, the gap between perceived risk and actual risk is sizable, particularly for flooding. This has significant consequences for homeowners, buyers, and insurers.”

Homes at risk of flooding

Nearly 6 million homes worth $3.4 trillion are likely to experience severe or extreme flooding over the next 30 years, according to data from First Street’s Flood Factor.

That is about 2 million more homes than those identified in FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Areas, the report said.

The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, Fla., and New York-Newark-Jersey City, N.Y.-N.J., metros account for just over $600 billion worth of homes under severe or extreme flood risk.

The largest dollar-value gaps between FEMA maps and severe risk estimates are in New York ($95.3 billion), Los Angeles ($65.6 billion) and San Francisco ($54.9 billion).

By share of value, New Orleans leads with 66% of its housing stock at risk but not captured by FEMA maps.

New Orleans overall at-risk housing stock share of 89% tops the nationwide rankings and nearly doubles second place results from Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla.

Hurricane wind risk

Roughly 18.3% of U.S. homes — valued at nearly $8 trillion — face severe or extreme wind damage risk in 2025, the report said.

In 14 major metros across Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina and Texas — including Miami, Houston and New Orleans — every home is exposed.

Because flood and wind risks often overlap, coastal homeowners face compounded financial burdens.

High hurricane deductibles add to the strain, with some policies requiring as much as $20,000 in damage before coverage begins.

Wildfire risk

About 5.6% of homes, worth $3.2 trillion, face severe wildfire risk.

California accounts for nearly 40% of that exposure — or $1.8 trillion. Los Angeles and Riverside are among the hardest-hit areas.

Outside California, risk is elevated in Colorado Springs, Colo., where more than three-quarters of home value is vulnerable, and Tucson, Ariz., where 60% of housing stock is at risk.

Insurance strain

Rising insurance premiums are amplifying affordability challenges in high-risk areas.

Miami homeowners now pay annual premiums equal to 3.7% of their home’s market value, the highest ratio among the 100 largest metros.

New Orleans follows at 3.6% and Cape Coral, Fla., at 2.2%.

“Climate risk and insurance are not usually a top consideration for home shoppers balancing budgets against still-high home prices and mortgage rates,” Hale said. “But these factors already shape ongoing housing costs and increasingly whether they can secure affordable insurance coverage.”