Santa's arrived at the shopping centre, school award nights are popping up, and Bunnings has Christmas lights next to lawn fertiliser. Must be November.
With 2025 winding down, we've been doing a bit of reflecting, not just on where the market's been, but where it's heading. And for us, it's been a big one too.
This has been our first full calendar year in business for RU Property Group, and it's been a big one. It's been exciting to see everything come to life, from sales to landlord calls, and building real traction across the region. We've expanded our property management services, helped clients sell everywhere from Bribie Island to Blackbutt, and plenty in between, and kept up with every market shift along the way.
And what a year it's been. Property prices across Queensland rose more than 10%, a lot more in some suburbs. The cash rate started at 4.10% and dropped to 3.60% by August. We had new legal changes for sellers and fresh support for first home buyers.
So, to recap. Prices went up, rates came down (a bit), and selling your home now comes with extra paperwork. At least Santa doesn't ask for a disclosure statement… yet.
So, what happens next? This time of year, we start having more conversations about timing. Should you list now, or wait for next year? The answer really depends on the type of property and your personal situation.
If you're selling a unit, townhouse, or a family home under the $1 million mark, we usually say list now. These properties are in high demand, and timing isn't as sensitive. The key thing is just getting the contract dates right, since most solicitors close over Christmas. The good news is, there's still time to prep your property, get it to market, and have it under contract for a January settlement.
If your property is in the $1M+ range, it can be a little different. Depending on the home and your situation, it might make more sense to wait until after the holidays. For higher end homes, momentum matters, and you don't want to lose it during the Christmas shutdown when half the industry goes quiet. Not us, by the way. We're still working.
In these cases, prepping the property now and getting everything ready for an early new year launch is often the best strategy. Some agents call that a pocket listing. Your property isn't on the open market yet, but we've got it in our back pocket, ready to go the moment the world starts spinning again.
Another bonus of being in the pocket? Good agents never really switch off. We're always talking to buyers, and sometimes we find the right one over the holidays. So just having your property in the conversation means there's a chance it sells before it ever hits the major sites.
Buyer tip. In December, ask your local agents what pocket listings they've got. You might just find exactly what you're after, no open homes required.
For example, last summer we quietly sold a home to a pre-qualified buyer just after New Year's, without any open homes or ads. The seller didn't want to launch in December but didn't want to miss early January buyers either, so we prepped everything, photos, paperwork, contracts, and had it ready to go. One buyer walkthrough, one solid offer, job done.
It doesn't suit everyone, but for the right property, and the right timing, a pocket listing can be a great move. If you're curious about whether that could work for you, we're happy to chat through it.
November is also a good time to look ahead. We've already had our 2026 business planning session, complete with too much coffee, and we've got some exciting goals ahead.
So, what about your property plans? Whether you're thinking about upgrading, investing, downsizing, or just dipping your toe in the market, now's the time to get a plan in place before the new year hits and resolutions start flying.
If you want to talk strategy, check your numbers, or just figure out where things sit, we're always happy to chat. Coffee is optional, but encouraged.
P.S. Planning to sell next year? Perfect, we've got about 6 weeks then. You bring the house, I'll bring the plan. Santa's already organised, and he didn't even need a disclosure statement.