The Perth Property Show

Host Trent Fleskens speaks with Byford agent Sean Dunn about why Byford is a “canary in the coal mine” as Perth’s market shifts from aggressive growth to a more defensive phase. They discuss Byford’s new train station and expanding amenities (Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, cafes) alongside its mix of older large rural-residential blocks and newer estates. Against rising Perth listings, fewer transactions, and longer days on market, Dunn describes a sharp slowdown in Byford: home opens falling from 10–15 groups to 1–3, fewer multiple offers, and harder negotiations as sellers cling to last year’s expectations. He cites a recent 4x2 dropping from $860k to high-$700k offers, driven by reduced investor urgency after the budget and interest-rate sensitivity among high-LVR buyers. Dunn expects Byford’s median to move from about $850k to around $800k over 12 months.

Host Trent Fleskens answers listener questions on why Perth listings have risen above 6,000 and days on market have lifted to 18, arguing it reflects sentiment and interest-rate-driven serviceability constraints rather than a market top, with fundamentals still supported by undersupply as WA builds roughly 20–25k homes a year while population growth remains higher. He clarifies negative gearing grandfathering cut-off was budget night (12 May 2026), discusses likely investor pivot toward new builds and fringe house-and-land while preferring new infill product within 20km, and explains unit outperformance (27% annual growth) as driven by affordability and the 5% deposit scheme. He says Perth has decoupled from Sydney/Melbourne due to WA’s stronger economy, highlights R-code changes expanding R20 subdivision opportunities across many suburbs, criticises stamp duty bracket creep for first home buyers, and advises investors not to sell purely due to tax changes.

Host Trent Fleskens welcomes Tom Miszczak from The Agency back to the Perth Property Show for a suburb spotlight on Queens Park, Cannington and East Cannington. Tom says the past eight weeks have brought a market adjustment, with investor demand tailing off due to uncertainty from budget announcements, while owner-occupier and first-home buyer interest remains strong and prices have largely held if homes are well presented. He argues the slowdown is healthy after Queens Park’s median rose from $615,000 in Sept 2024 to about $850,000, and expects sideways to slightly softer conditions over the next 12 months. They discuss developer confidence, the rail line upgrade’s new amenities and safety, the first-home buyer 5% threshold’s impact on pricing, planning changes enabling townhouses near the station, and how buyers are shifting from investments to upgrading principal residences.

Host Trent Fleskens welcomes Derek Baston of Baston & Co to discuss Victoria Park, East Victoria Park and nearby St James/Bentley, focusing on Albany Highway’s lifestyle appeal and how the market has evolved since COVID. Derek explains key drivers by area, including Vic Park Primary School, Raphael Park, dog-friendly Harold Rossiter Park, and the growing food and brewery scene, plus major activation projects like Bailey Hill and the Boston Brewing precinct. They cover gentrification, the shift from state housing weatherboard cottages to prized character homes (influenced by a streetscape policy), and changing buyer profiles including downsizers from South Perth/Como and intergenerational support. Current medians are about $1.165m in Vic Park and $1.2m in East Vic Park, with East Vic Park’s larger blocks lifting its median, while development has slowed due to feasibility. Derek expects the median to track sideways as the market differentiates more between premium and inferior stock.

Host Trent Fleskens welcomes Brendon Habak from Inhabit for an apartment-focused suburb spotlight on East Perth, discussing buyer sentiment amid negative gearing and tax noise. Brendon sells East Perth on its riverfront amenity and improving infrastructure (WACA pool/slides, growing cafe culture) but notes the suburb lacks a true town centre and community spark, suggesting Wellington Street and the Perth Girls School redevelopment as the best chance to create a walkable retail hub. They outline the typical East Perth two-bed, two-bath apartment rising from about $480k pre-COVID to nearer $700k, with rents around $800/week, but describe a slowdown from last year’s multiple-offer market to fewer home-open attendees, driven by higher interest rates, affordability and rising strata fees. Brendon contrasts softer East Perth conditions with stronger demand and price outcomes in Wembley/Jolimont and discusses premium Perth CBD and Burswood Point offerings.