Homes Snapped Up in Just Days
Sydney’s western suburbs are witnessing a surge in buyer urgency, with homes in areas like Penrith, Werrington County, and South Penrith selling in as little as 10–13 days. According to PropTrack, this rapid turnaround—far quicker than the Greater Sydney average of 42–45 days—reflects a tightening market where low stock and improved infrastructure are pushing buyers to act fast.
Local agents are reporting auctions cancelled due to pre-auction offers and buyers scrambling to secure homes close to the new Western Sydney Airport, upgraded hospitals, and major arterial roads like the M4. Rodney McLoughlin notes that buyers are prioritizing affordability, lifestyle access, and future growth potential in these emerging hubs.
Rental Market Faces Investor Exodus
While demand surges in Sydney’s west, Australia’s rental market is moving in the opposite direction. A record 16.7% of property investors sold at least one investment property in the past year—up from 12.1% just two years ago. The exodus is most pronounced in Queensland and Victoria, where tax burdens and tenancy reform uncertainty are spooking long-term investors.
Shockingly, only 42% of those properties stayed in the rental pool, worsening supply constraints for renters. Rodney McLoughlin highlights that this structural shift means many former rental homes are being purchased by owner-occupiers or first-home buyers, permanently reducing available rentals.
Units No Longer the Safe Bet
Many buyers have turned to units as a more affordable entry point—but new data suggests that strategy may be outdated. A report from InvestorKit shows that in every major city, houses have significantly outperformed units over the past decade.
In Parramatta, houses jumped 76% in value, while units rose only 2%. Factors like high strata fees, oversupply, and faster depreciation continue to erode unit performance, especially in high-rise or amenity-heavy complexes.
Banks Quietly Restricting Loans
Despite recent rate cuts, buyers are still facing hurdles. Many banks are discreetly blacklisting certain suburbs, builders, and developments. In locations like Zetland and Parramatta CBD, lenders are capping the number of loans they’ll issue per building—or requiring larger deposits for riskier properties.
Rodney McLoughlin stresses that buyers need to be financially prepared. Many are caught off guard by these rules or underestimate how much they can borrow. “Pre-approval and financial readiness are key,” he advises, especially for those looking to move quickly in a fast-moving market.
Real Estate Newsletter
This article is a curated summary of various news stories from the past week, offering insights and updates on the real estate market. 19 September 2025.
Rodney McLoughlin is a trusted real estate professional with deep insights into the Australian property market. For personalized advice and market expertise, reach out to Rodney today.
