Photo credit: Brisbane Local Marketing
New analysis from Buyersagent.com.au reveals that every July, investor lending consistently dips below average levels in Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia. Experts say this seasonal trend is an opportunity for savvy buyers to enter the market with less competition.
ABS data shows that Western Australia experiences the biggest dip in investor lending each July, with investor loans sitting 14.9% below the state’s annual monthly average over the past five years. This is well below the national seasonal July dip of 3.7%. The figures compare the average number of investor loans issued in July to the average monthly number across the entire year.
Queensland also experiences a winter freeze, with July figures 9.1% below its annual monthly average, while South Australia comes in 6% below its average.
In contrast, all other states and territories have recorded a modest 0.2% uplift in July investor lending over the same period.
Why investor activity slows in July
Buyersagent.com.au CEO, Shaun McGowan, says the July freeze is a seasonal trend driven by both financial timing and buyer behaviour in lifestyle markets.
“Each July, we see a predictable dip in investor activity compared to other months of the year in Western Australia, Queensland, and South Australia. It’s due to a mix of end-of-financial-year housekeeping and a natural pause while investors reassess their property portfolios ahead of the spring selling season,” he says.
“In lifestyle-driven markets like Queensland and Western Australia, the drop-off is often tied to interstate buyers waiting for warmer weather and new listings before they act. In South Australia, the slowdown tends to reflect a more cautious investor base and lower winter sales activity overall, particularly in Adelaide’s suburban markets.”
“For investors willing to go against the grain, this quieter period can actually be a window of opportunity in these states, with less competition from other investors and greater negotiating power.”
Why other states aren’t cooling off
The data shows that markets like New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT tend to maintain steady investor momentum throughout the year.
That’s because these markets are driven by more stable economic activity and consistent migration. Additionally, these states tend to have more local, metro-based investors who are already on the ground and buying strategically throughout the year.
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