Over the last couple of months, much of our industry’s public discussion has focused on the movement of the market. The budget appeared to be the ‘tipping point’ after a number of pressures had been building on the buyer’s ledger. First came the cost of living and higher interest rates. Then events overseas pushed up fuel costs. By the time the budget announcement arrived, buyers were already carrying a fair bit. For Malcolm Gladwell fans, this will sound familiar. Which raises an interesting question.

What will tip it back? There have been murmurs about reversing the negative gearing changes, whether under the current government or a future one. There’s also discussion about what a rate cut might do or what would happen if the conflict in the Middle East eased and fuel prices fell. Any of those developments could help buyer confidence. All three would certainly give people something to talk about at an open home. But when might they happen? And what should buyers do while they wait?

My belief is that Brisbane buyers still believe in Brisbane. Our outlook extends well beyond the Olympics. We like living here. It’s beautiful, we feel safe and when we see footage of events elsewhere in the world there’s considerable comfort in calling this place home. The complication is that other people like the look of it too. Add those wanting to move here to our own growing families and changing stages of life and the need for more homes doesn’t disappear just because buyers pause.

Meanwhile, the cost of building makes buying an existing property look increasingly attractive. So, for buyers who want a home, what exactly are they waiting for? Affordability is a very good reason to wait. If the numbers don’t work, they don’t work. But for a lot of people, they still do. So if you can comfortably afford the right property, I believe this is one of the best opportunities Brisbane buyers have had in the past six years. The pace is more moderate. There’s time to think, negotiate and make a considered decision.

Buying a home is usually a decision measured in years, not budget cycles. If you’re buying somewhere to live for the next nine years, the Brisbane average ownership cycle, then the question isn’t simply what the market might do next month. It’s whether you believe Brisbane will be a more sought-after place to live by the time you’re ready to sell. If the answer is yes, it might be worth making your move before everyone else decides the market has tipped back.