Is 2026 the Last Chance to Buy ‘Affordable’ Property in Perth?

12 May

If you have been watching the Perth property market over the past few years, you have likely noticed one thing. Prices are moving, and they are not slowing down the way many expected.

The question we are hearing more often now is not whether the market will grow, but whether the window of affordability is starting to close.

So is 2026 the last chance to buy “affordable” property in Perth? Let’s take a closer look at what is actually happening and what it means for buyers and investors right now.

What Is Driving the Perth Market Right Now

Perth has been one of the strongest performing markets in Australia recently, and there are a few key reasons behind it.

Population growth is increasing
More people are moving to WA, which puts pressure on both rental and sales markets.

Housing supply is tight
There is a shortage of available properties, particularly established homes in well-located areas. New builds are not keeping up due to construction delays and rising costs.

Rental demand is high
Vacancy rates remain extremely low, which continues to push rents higher and attract investors back into the market.

When you combine strong demand with limited supply, prices tend to move in one direction.

Why “Affordable” Does Not Last Forever

Every property market goes through cycles, but one thing remains consistent. Affordable markets do not stay affordable for long once momentum builds.

We have seen this play out in other cities across Australia. What was considered affordable a few years ago quickly becomes out of reach once growth accelerates.

Perth has historically been more accessible than Sydney or Melbourne, but that gap has been closing. As prices rise, the entry point for buyers shifts higher, making it harder to get started.

The key point is this. Affordability is not a fixed number. It is a window, and that window can close faster than most people expect.

The Cost of Waiting

One of the biggest risks for buyers right now is not making the wrong decision. It is waiting too long to make any decision at all.

Example:

A property worth $800,000 today
If it grows at 6% per year, it could be worth around $848,000 next year
That is an extra $48,000 you need to find just to buy the same property

At the same time, rents are increasing, which means waiting can cost you both in higher purchase prices and ongoing rent.

Trying to perfectly time the market is extremely difficult. In most cases, time in the market is far more important than timing the market.

Our View: It Is About Acting, Not Rushing

At Motivate Property Group, we do not believe in creating pressure for the sake of it. Property is a long-term decision, and it needs to be the right one for your situation.

The market is currently in a boom and historically, these phases do not last forever at the entry level.

The opportunity right now is not about chasing the market. It is about making a well-informed decision while conditions still allow you to enter at a relatively accessible price point.

How to Approach the Market in 2026

Instead of asking “Is this the perfect time?”, a better question is “Am I in a position to move forward with the right strategy?”

That means:

Understanding your borrowing capacity
Identifying areas with strong growth fundamentals
Focusing on properties that will perform over the long term, not just today

This is where having a clear plan makes all the difference.

Final Thoughts

Perth has long been considered one of the more affordable capital city markets in Australia, but that position is changing.

Whether 2026 is the last chance to buy “affordable” property is not something anyone can say with certainty. What is clear is that the window is shifting, and opportunities at today’s price points may not be around forever.

At Motivate Property Group, we help our clients understand the market, remove the guesswork, and act with confidence when the timing is right for them.

Thinking about buying in Perth but not sure where to start? Get in touch with our team and we will help you make a clear, confident move in today’s market.

George Ferrara