Listings down: ‘Owners are too scared to sell’

Leanne Spring, founder of Tailored Buyers Agents says owners are too scared to sell in today’s market.

Seller paralysis is behind a critical shortage in property across southeast Queensland according to a leading buyer’s agent.

Leanne Spring, founder of Tailored Buyers Agents, said the fear of being out was freezing listings in Brisbane, particularly in the $1m to $2m price sector.

47 Elwell Street, Morningside is going under the hammer on November 8. Source: realestate.com.au

“We have seen listings in this crucial price band disproportionately drop in the past year because, ironically, owners are too scared to sell in today’s competitive low-interest, high- demand environment,” Ms Spring said.

Latest data from SQM Research reveals the total number of listings in Brisbane declined 11.6 per cent in the 12 months to August, 2025.

The data shows across Brisbane there were 16106 listings in August, 2025 compared to 18224 in August, 2024.

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19 Brenda Street, Morningside is going to auction on November 8. Source: realestate.com.au

This is the most substantial fall in listing numbers across all capital cities except Darwin,” she said.

“This squeeze on all listings aligns with our own experience however, there is a disproportionate lack of listings in the $1m to $2m price point that is really causing challenges.”

Ms Spring said this listing drought was due to an unprecedented market paradox.

“Extraordinary value gains across Brisbane, especially in the past quarter, have owners worried about selling their homes, only to be left out of a runaway market that they cannot afford to buy back into.”

3 First Street, Camp Hill goes to auction on November 8. Source: realestate.com.au

PropTrack’s latest Home Price Index showed Brisbane values recorded monthly growth of 0.46 per cent in September.

“Factor in that sellout, buy-in transaction costs such as stamp duty, agent fees and legal expenses can be $100,000-plus, and it’s only compounding the hesitancy,” Ms Springs said.

“As a result, owners are simply electing to stay put rather than sell.

“Some sellers are genuinely scared of being left homeless if they sell.

“This isn’t a demand problem – it’s a supply crisis driven by seller psychology.”

7 Kaypee Street, Tarragindi is on the market at offers over $1.65m.

Ms Spring said she’s seen the listings drought most pronounced in Brisbane’s inner-ring suburbs, such as Camp Hill, Cannon Hill, Morningside, Tarragindi, Kedron, Stafford, Gordon Park, Enoggera, and Alderley.

“It’s those addresses five-to-10 kilometres from the CBD that are suffering most.

“This is our city’s critical second and third homebuyer price band – the next step for aspirational family buyers needing a little extra space.”

1 Bramston Street, Tarragindi is on the market at offers over $1.49m.

She said there were several steps homeowners could can take to offset their listing risk including seeking off-market properties, employing favourable contract conditions such as extended settlement periods, or even using subject-to-sale clauses when putting forward offers on their next purchase.

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