Is There Ever a 'Right Time' to Buy Property?

Is There Ever a ‘Right Time’ to Buy Property?

We often hear people say, “I’ll buy when the market drops,” or “I’m waiting for the perfect time.”

Here’s the truth:
There’s no perfect time—only the right strategy.

Just like in Part 1, where we looked at how interest rate drops often signal the start of a price surge, this time we’re digging deeper into how property markets move in cycles—and how smart investors position themselves ahead of the crowd.

Understanding the Property Cycle

The property market typically moves through four key phases:

1. Boom – Prices are rising fast, buyers are rushing in, media is full of hype.

2. Slowdown / Correction – Growth slows, competition eases, some panic.

3. Stabilisation / Bottoming Out – Fewer buyers, low activity, flat or slightly falling prices.

4. Recovery / Growth – Green shoots appear—rents rise, prices slowly start to move again.

The best buying window?
Usually toward the end of the correction and early recovery—when most people are still fearful, but the fundamentals are improving.

This is when:

• Days on market are shorter

• Rental yields are rising

• Competition is low

• Vendors are more negotiable

• Interest rate cuts may be around the corner

The “Right Time” Is When You’re Ready — Not When Everyone Else Is

Trying to pick the exact bottom of the market is like trying to catch a falling knife. Most people only realise the market has turned after prices start rising again.

By then, you’re:

• Competing with more buyers

• Paying higher prices

• Possibly missing out on the best suburbs or properties

So instead of waiting for everything to line up perfectly, ask:
✅ Can I afford to buy right now?
✅ Am I buying in a solid, growth-friendly location?
✅ Does this property suit my long-term goals?

If the answer is yes, that’s your right time—regardless of where the market cycle sits.

Real Investors Think Ahead

Smart investors don’t follow the herd—they plan 6–12 months ahead. They look at:

• Population growth

• Infrastructure spending

• Vacancy rates

• Rental demand

• Price trends before the media starts talking about them

They know that money is made in the quiet times, when most others are distracted, fearful, or “waiting for rates to drop.”

Final Thought

Don’t try to time the market perfectly.
Instead, understand the cycle, get your finances in order, and act when others are sitting back.

The right time to buy?
It's when you’re prepared, clear on your strategy, and able to act without emotion.