If you are researching a real estate agent in the City of Belmont WA, you have likely heard the term Perth Property Gridlock — the severe shortage of listings combined with sustained buyer demand that has defined the current market cycle.
But an important question naturally follows:
What would cause this situation to unwind and how quickly could it happen?
Understanding the potential scenarios is critical for anyone considering whether to sell their house in the City of Belmont, or assessing the outlook for property sales across Belmont, Rivervale, Cloverdale, Kewdale, Ascot and Redcliffe.
While no market remains one-sided forever, not all corrections are equal. Some unwind slowly. Others shift quickly.
Below are the most realistic pathways
The most probable way Perth Property Gridlock eases is through a slow increase in available stock. As prices rise, some homeowners gain confidence that they can sell and buy again within the same area. Once listing numbers begin to lift, a psychological shift can occur, more owners feel comfortable entering the market.
Likely timeframe: Late 2026 into 2027
Impact: Slower price growth, more balanced negotiations, longer days on market
Risk level: Low to moderate
This would represent normalisation, not a crash.
Western Australia’s construction sector has struggled to keep pace with demand. If labour capacity improves and new developments reach completion at scale, supply could gradually rebuild. This is especially relevant for apartment stock across the City of Belmont WA, where infill development remains a key part of the long-term supply pipeline.
Likely timeframe: 2027–2029
Impact: Units stabilise first, houses follow
Risk level: Moderate but gradual
This is a multi-year shift, not a short-term correction.
Interest rates influence borrowing capacity. However, in undersupplied markets, modest rate rises tend to slow growth rather than reverse it. For gridlock to meaningfully unwind through affordability pressure alone, rates would likely need to rise materially, or unemployment would need to increase.
Likely timeframe: 3–12 months after aggressive rate changes
Impact: Growth stalls before prices fall
Risk level: Segment-specific (higher price brackets most sensitive)
Across the City of Belmont property market, affordability remains stronger than in eastern capitals, which provides some insulation.
Perth’s demand base is currently supported by interstate and international migration, defence-related employment, and infrastructure investment. If migration levels fell sharply or employment growth slowed, buyer depth would reduce.
Likely timeframe: 6–24 months
Impact: Reduced competition rather than sudden price drops
Risk level: Moderate
This would ease pressure, but only if supply remained elevated.
Western Australia remains a resource-driven economy. A significant downturn in commodity prices, or major mining project pullbacks, would affect employment confidence. This is historically the fastest way WA markets shift.
Likely timeframe: 6–18 months from commodity decline
Impact: Listings rise quickly, confidence softens
Risk level: Higher than other scenarios
This is the primary “fast break” risk to the current gridlock conditions.
If unemployment rose meaningfully or refinancing pressures intensified, forced selling could lift stock levels. At present, Perth households remain comparatively less leveraged than Sydney or Melbourne, which reduces near-term risk.
Likely timeframe: 6–18 months if triggered
Impact: Localised softening rather than systemic collapse
Risk level: Currently low
The most realistic scenario is not a sudden collapse.
It is a gradual easing over 2–4 years, driven by:
Unless a major economic shock occurs, Perth Property Gridlock is more likely to unwind slowly than abruptly.
Across Belmont, Rivervale, Cloverdale, Kewdale, Ascot and Redcliffe, supply remains constrained and buyer competition remains healthy.
As the highest-selling agent in the City of Belmont and Rivervale for 20 years, I am not currently observing signs of structural weakness, but prudent sellers should always consider timing within broader cycles.
Markets do not move in straight lines.
They move in phases.
For homeowners evaluating whether now is the right time to act, measured advice matters.
An ethical real estate agent in the City of Belmont WA should be willing to outline both upside potential and downside risk, without pressure.
At Ray White Urban Springs, servicing the City of Belmont WA, our approach is structured and evidence-based. We explain market drivers, risk factors, and timing considerations clearly, and allow homeowners to decide with confidence.
No urgency unless justified.
No inflated predictions.
No theatrics.
Just clarity.
By Andrew Huggins
Principal, Ray White Urban Springs
Highest-selling agent in the City of Belmont and Rivervale for 20 years
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