Why More Home-Owners Are Selling Just 12 Months After Buying

Across Perth’s northern coastal suburbs, a new property trend is quietly taking shape.
Homes purchased just 6 to 18 months ago are coming back to market - and not because of financial stress.

In many cases, these homes were “layover properties” - the stepping stones buyers secured during Perth’s low-stock frenzy of 2023 and 2024, while searching for their long-term dream home.

Now, with property values continuing to rise, many of those homeowners are reselling, often at a higher value that covers their purchase costs and stamp duty, allowing them to upgrade sooner than expected.

How We Got Here

The 2023–2024 market saw record competition and minimal stock, particularly across lifestyle-focused suburbs like Hillarys, Ocean Reef, Duncraig and Jindalee.
Many buyers were willing to compromise on their ideal home just to secure a property and avoid being priced out.

Fast-forward 12–18 months, and Perth property values have jumped 10–20% in key northern suburbs, giving some owners enough equity to upgrade again.

One of the biggest costs new homeowners face in Western Australia is stamp duty, a government tax paid at the time of purchase. As prices have surged, the growth in home values has often been enough to offset or recover this upfront cost when reselling.

Stamp Duty Rates in Western Australia (as at 2025)

Source: WA Department of Finance, 2025

For example, a buyer who purchased a $1.2 million home in WA may have paid in the order of $50,000+ in stamp duty under current published rates. With median house prices in coastal suburbs like Hillarys, Burns Beach and Duncraig climbing by 10–15% in the past 12 months, many owners are now in a position to resell and still recover that cost with a profit on top.

Curious what your stamp duty might be? You can check the latest rates using the official RevenueWA calculator.

Why These Homes Are Selling Again

• Rapid equity gains: Strong price growth has allowed many owners to break even on purchase costs sooner than expected.

• Lifestyle realignment: With more listings gradually returning to the market, buyers are finding homes that better fit their long-term lifestyle goals.

• Confidence returning: With interest rates stabilising and population growth holding firm, more sellers are making strategic, not reactive, moves.

• Future-focused decisions: Many owners are capitalising on buyer demand while it remains high.

Local Examples: Homes Returning to Market

This isn’t just theory - it’s already happening across Perth’s northern coastal suburbs.

• 17 Freshwater Plaza, Hillarys – Sold in May 2025 for $1,950,000 by Noble Avenue Real Estate, then sold in August 2025 for $2,330,000, a 19.5% increase in just three months. 
• 17A Queenscliff Court, Kallaroo - Sold in November 2024 for $2,100,000, then resold in September 2025 by Noble Avenue Real Estate for $2,300,000, a 9.5% increase in 8 months.

• 156 Reflection Boulevard, Jindalee – Sold in January 2024 for $680,000, then resold in June 2025 for $810,000 by Noble Avenue Real Estate, marking an impressive 19% gain in 17 months.

• 20 Rainham Avenue, Mindarie – Sold in May 2024 for $1,135,000 by Noble Avenue Real Estate, then resold in December 2024 for $1,300,00 by Noble Avenue Real Estate, a 14.5% increase in seven months.

What It Means for Buyers

For buyers, these “layover homes” can represent a unique opportunity.
They’re typically modern, move-in ready homes that have been well-maintained or recently updated by owners who never intended to stay long-term.

These properties often attract strong interest because they offer updated finishes and established locations - without the waiting time or uncertainty of building new.

What It Means for Sellers

For homeowners who bought within the past two years, the rising market has opened a rare window.
If your property has grown in value enough to cover transaction costs and stamp duty, selling now could position you for your next move without financial setback.

Our team is seeing renewed momentum across the $900k–$1.5m range, particularly in lifestyle suburbs such as Mullaloo, Kallaroo and Iluka, where family homes remain in high demand.

“We’re seeing a noticeable wave of homes coming back to market after just 6–18 months,” says Karen Riches, Noble Avenue Real Estate Property Partner.
“In many cases, these aren’t distressed sales - they’re strategic ones. Owners are capitalising on market growth and repositioning into homes that better match their lifestyle goals.”

“The key is understanding your numbers,” adds Andrea Lloyd, Noble Avenue Real Estate Property Partner. “We help clients map out their purchase costs, recent growth, and likely selling outcomes before they make a move.”

Considering Selling After a Short Ownership Period?

If you purchased your home in the last 12 to 24 months and are curious about its current market value, now is the perfect time to review your position.
Our team can help you understand recent local price movement, estimate selling costs, and determine whether reselling could be worthwhile.

Book your free Property Strategy Session
30 minutes with a northern coastal specialist to review:

• Your property’s current estimated value

• Market movement in your suburb

• What to expect if you sell this year

 Hillarys | Sorrento | Kallaroo | Mullaloo | Iluka | Burns Beach | Duncraig | Carine | Karrinyup | Currambine

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always seek independent advice before making property decisions.