Sydney’s auction market softened again in the first week of November. According to the latest weekly auction report by Dr Andrew Wilson on Property Update, which uses My Housing Market data, fewer homes went under the hammer and a smaller share of them sold. It comes straight after another interest rate rise from the Reserve Bank. Here is a quick look at the latest Sydney auction results and, as a Sydney buyers agent working with buyers every week, our take on what they mean if you are trying to buy.
Sydney auction results at a glance
- Clearance rate: 52.7%, down from 56.5% the week before and well below the 73.6% recorded in the same week last year.
- Auction volumes: 964 homes were listed for auction, slightly fewer than the previous week’s 985 and far fewer than the 1,534 a year ago.
- House median at auction: $1,787,500, down from $1,850,000 the week before and 8.7% lower than the same week last year.
- Houses vs units: units cleared at 64.0%, comfortably ahead of houses at 49.9%.
Nationally, the average clearance rate across the capitals edged up to 45.6% from 44.8% the week before, but it remains far below the 67.7% recorded a year earlier.
Not every part of Sydney is moving the same way
The headline figure hides big differences between regions. The Lower North Shore was the standout, clearing 72.3% of reported auctions, followed by the Inner West at 58.4% and the Northern Beaches at 58.3%. The West recorded the lowest result at 43.2%.
For buyers in the Hills District and surrounding suburbs, the North West region cleared just 45.2% of reported results, while its median auction price of about $2.17 million was the highest of any Sydney region that week. The sample was small, so one week is not a trend, but it does suggest buyers in this part of Sydney currently have more room to negotiate than they did a year ago.
What Sydney’s auction results mean for buyers
1. You may have more negotiating power, but only on the right properties
When roughly half of auctions are not clearing, vendors and their agents are more open to offers before auction day and to negotiating after a property passes in. That said, well-presented homes in sought-after pockets are still attracting competition, as the Lower North Shore result shows. A softer market rewards preparation, not just patience.
2. Ask about pre-auction offers
If you have found the right home, ask the selling agent whether the vendor will consider an offer before auction. Come with evidence: recent comparable sales, days on market, and the current clearance rate in that area. A well-supported offer is far more persuasive than a low one.
3. Understand what happens when a property passes in
If a property is passed in, the highest bidder usually gets the first chance to negotiate with the vendor. This is one of the moments where having a buyers agent in Sydney on your side can make a real difference. Being the highest bidder, even below the reserve, can put you in a strong position. Have your walk-away price set before the day so you negotiate with a clear head.
4. Recheck your finance after the latest rate rise
Each rate rise can reduce how much a lender is willing to lend. If your pre-approval was issued a few months ago, check with your broker or lender that it still reflects your current borrowing capacity before you bid or exchange. Bidding at auction is generally unconditional, so your finance needs to be solid before the hammer falls.
5. Expect fewer listings as the year winds down
Auction activity typically slows from late November into the Christmas period. Fewer listings can mean less competition, but also less choice. If you are serious about buying before the new year, now is the time to shortlist properties and get your due diligence done.
A Sydney buyers agent’s view
Weekly clearance rates are a useful pulse check, but they move around and are based on reported results only. The bigger picture is a Sydney market where buyers have more breathing room than at any point in the past year, especially for houses and in some outer and western regions. That creates opportunity, but it also makes careful research and disciplined negotiation more important, not less.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good auction clearance rate in Sydney?
As a rough guide, clearance rates around 70% or higher are generally seen as a strong market favouring sellers, while rates closer to 50% or below suggest buyers have more negotiating power. Sydney’s 52.7% in the week to 7 November 2026 sits at the softer end of that range.
Can a buyers agent bid for me at a Sydney auction?
Yes. A licensed buyers agent can register and bid on your behalf, using a strategy and price limit you agree on beforehand. Many buyers find this takes much of the pressure out of auction day.
Is now a good time to buy property in Sydney?
That depends on your finances, goals and the specific property, not on one week of auction results. Softer conditions can create opportunities, but the fundamentals of buying well stay the same: thorough research, solid finance and disciplined negotiation.
Work with a Sydney buyers agent
Gratitude Property Buyers Agent is a Sydney buyers agent that helps first home buyers, investors, SMSF trustees and commercial buyers research, negotiate and bid with confidence. If you are new to the idea, our guide to what a buyers agent does explains how the process works and what it costs. If you would like to talk about how current conditions affect your plans, book a free, no-obligation chat with Manoj.
Source: auction figures for the week to Saturday 7 November 2026 are from My Housing Market, as published in the weekly auction report by Dr Andrew Wilson on Property Update. Weekly results are preliminary and may be revised. This article is general information only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek professional advice before making a property decision.