Perth's 2026 Housing Market Eases: A Boon for First-Time Homebuyers
October 25, 2026
Perth’s housing market in 2026 has shifted to a more balanced, slower pace, giving first-home buyers more choice and time to decide.
First-time buyers now have more entry options through government incentives, affordable off-the-plan apartments, and a cooling market with values easing about six percent since April.
Beyond price, buyers should budget for transfer duties, settlement fees, inspections, insurance, moving costs, maintenance, and, for strata properties, levies and building condition.
Parkside Residences is planned to start construction in early 2027 and finish around mid-2028, with ongoing pricing and availability updates from Finbar’s sales team.
Once finances are organized and a suitable property is found, buyers should be prepared to make an offer promptly to take advantage of current conditions.
First-home buyers should determine affordable deposits and borrowing capacity, obtain written loan pre-approval, and understand ongoing housing costs and potential interest-rate changes.
Finbar highlights the lifestyle appeal of apartments—low maintenance, lock-up-and-leave comfort, and proximity to transport, work, and amenities—as key selling points.
Family support is increasingly common, with Gen Z buyers receiving more parental help, a trend noted by Finbar’s Ronald Chan.
With more listings, buyers should research current listings, recent sales, suburb trends, and neighbourhoods, and consider visiting opens with REIWA agents.
The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme offers eligible buyers a smaller upfront deposit, subject to income, property value, and contract-date rules.
Explore government grants, transfer duty concessions, and loan options, and check eligibility for new versus established homes.
Set clear priorities, and discuss finance, building, and pest inspections with agents while seeking independent advice to identify the right property when spotted.
Summary based on 2 sources
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Sources

The West Australian • Oct 25, 2026
Lifestyle appeal, affordability and concessions make apartment developments a standout for first-time buyers
The West Australian • Oct 25, 2026
reiwa.com provides invaluable resources for homebuyers amidst shifting market conditions