Auction insights
Ray White’s bidder activity data reveals the competitive dynamics driving current market conditions, with registered bidders averaging 4.5 per auction in July 2025 and active bidders maintaining approximately 3.0 per property. This represents a recovery from the pandemic lows of 2019 and demonstrates sustained buyer engagement despite interest rate uncertainties. The gap between registered and active bidders highlights the selective nature of current market participation, with buyers carefully evaluating opportunities in the constrained supply environment.
The current bidder levels reflect the competitive tension created by limited listing volumes across most markets. While below the exceptional peaks witnessed during 2021-2022’s ultra-low rate environment, the consistent 4.5 registered bidders per auction demonstrates healthy competition that supports the elevated clearance rates observed throughout 2025. With anticipated rate cuts expected to stimulate additional buyer activity, these bidder metrics provide a foundation for potentially intensifying auction competition in the months ahead.
Ray White’s auction clearance rates demonstrate the intensity of buyer competition in the constrained supply environment, with the 2025 performance significantly outpacing both 2023 and 2024 results. The current trajectory shows clearance rates reaching 74.8 per cent in July, representing a substantial improvement from the same period in previous years and highlighting the competitive dynamics created by limited property availability.
This exceptional clearance rate performance reflects the combination of supply constraints and pent-up buyer demand that has characterised the market through 2025. The sustained strength in auction outcomes, even during the July rate hold period, demonstrates the underlying demand pressures that continue to drive market momentum. With the anticipated August rate cuts expected to further stimulate buyer activity, these already elevated clearance rates suggest intensifying competition ahead.
Ray White’s total unconditional sales reached $8.0 billion in July 2025, demonstrating the group’s continued market strength despite seasonal and interest rate headwinds. This performance maintains the elevated baseline established through 2025’s strong opening months, reflecting both sustained transaction volumes and the impact of continued price appreciation across markets.
The July result aligns with typical seasonal patterns while preserving the momentum built throughout the year’s early months. With interest rate cuts now anticipated and listing conditions remaining constrained, this sales performance provides a solid foundation for the expected market acceleration in the months ahead. The consistency of Ray White’s results throughout the rate hold period demonstrates the underlying strength of market fundamentals and buyer demand.
Ray White’s listing authorities data provides crucial insight into future market supply, with July 2025 recording 8,167 new authorities compared to 8,773 in July 2024. This represents a modest decline from the previous year but maintains levels consistent with the constrained supply environment that has characterised 2025. The seasonal pattern shows typical winter moderation, with authorities tracking below the peak spring levels but above the traditional summer lows.
The data reveals vendor sentiment remains cautious, with many property owners delaying listing decisions pending clearer signals on interest rate direction. The July figure of 8,167 authorities suggests a measured approach to bringing properties to market, contributing to the supply shortage that continues to underpin competitive bidding conditions. With the anticipated August rate cuts likely to encourage more vendors to enter the market, the current authority levels may represent the seasonal low point before renewed spring activity.
