Inflation has risen. What should home sellers do next?

Inflation has risen again, and the Reserve Bank increased its cash-rate target to 4.85% on 3 November 2026. For homeowners considering a sale, that can make the decision feel more complicated than it needs to be.

The question is not simply whether interest rates will go up or down. It is whether the agent you appoint understands how buyers are behaving in the market for your particular property.

What the September figures and November decision say

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on 28 October that annual inflation reached 4.3% in September 2026, compared with 4.0% in August. Monthly-series annual trimmed-mean inflation was 3.6% (the quarterly-series annual trimmed mean was 3.7%). On 3 November 2026, the Reserve Bank increased its cash-rate target to 4.85%.

Those are national economic figures. They do not predict the selling price of a four-bedroom house in Brisbane, a townhouse in Melbourne or an apartment in Perth. Nor do they determine how individual buyers will respond.

Start with the buyers likely to consider your home

When household budgets are under pressure, buyers may become more selective about what they inspect, what they can borrow and how far they are prepared to stretch. But the response will vary by location, price bracket and property type.

Ask prospective agents to show you settled sales of genuinely comparable properties, ideally from the most recent three months. If there are too few useful examples, widen the window to six months and explain why. Check condition, land size, layout, parking, location, sale date and the circumstances of each transaction.

Then look at today's competition. What other homes could your likely buyers inspect this weekend? How does your property's presentation, price guidance and selling strategy compare?

Do not mistake a confident appraisal for a tested strategy

An appraisal should be a reasoned estimate supported by evidence, not simply a figure that makes a seller feel comfortable. Ask each agent to explain the sales supporting their recommendation, the buyer groups they expect to attract and the steps they would take if the early response is weaker than expected.

You should also understand the proposed marketing budget, the agent's commission structure, the campaign timetable and how buyer feedback will be reported. A clear written proposal makes meaningful comparison possible.

If you are selling and buying, consider both transactions

The selling price matters, but so does the cost of the next home. Before making a decision, calculate the likely proceeds after your mortgage payout, selling costs and moving expenses. Ask your lender or mortgage broker to check borrowing and cash-flow assumptions, and seek legal advice about contracts and settlement dates.

Selling first may provide greater certainty about available funds. Buying first may suit other circumstances, but it can create funding and timing risks. Neither approach should depend on predicting an interest-rate decision.

Choose an agent for the market you are entering

The strongest question to ask is: 'What is your evidence that this strategy is right for my property today?' Listen for a thoughtful answer grounded in recent comparable sales, current competition and a plan for monitoring the campaign.

Price Advocates is an independent seller advocacy business, not the sales agency that lists or sells your home. We research and compare suitable licensed real estate agents, coordinate and review appraisals, assess proposals and selling costs, and support you through the process. You choose the agent who conducts the sale.

Our service is free to sellers. We are paid a referral fee by the agent you ultimately select. If you are thinking about selling anywhere in Australia, you can use the button below to book a free, no-obligation 15-minute conversation.

Sources and market context

• Primary source: ABS (28 Oct 2026)
• Primary source: ABS media release, CPI rose 4.3% for the year, September 2026
• Primary source: RBA decision (3 Nov 2026)
• Supplementary primary source: RBA Governor's speech, 3 November 2026
• Independent reporting: ABC Business Daily on inflation being too high
• Independent reporting: ABC AM on the Reserve Bank's November decision