After a solid five years of growth, change in the property market was inevitable. In 2019, most major capital cities are experiencing the natural property cycle slowdown, which happens every few years.

There are some exceptions. Canberra and Hobart are on the up, experiencing increases as investors seek value for money. In Perth, where the market has been dire for several years, homeowners should finally experience an increase in prices in 2019. In New Zealand, property owners in Hamilton and Christchurch are also seeing prices climb.

Having been in this industry for over 40 years, I’ve witnessed the dizzying highs and the sobering lows of the property cycle several times over. To put things in perspective, house prices in Australia have quadrupled over the last 25 years. Even with the GFC the trend has always been positive.

The current downturn might seem exceptional but those of us who’ve been around for a while understand we’re experiencing a standard ‘settling’ after a boom period. Prices will stabilise over the coming months then begin to rise again.

A property slowdown shouldn’t be reason to panic but if you’re new to the industry this one might have come as a shock. Here’s my advice to get you through leaner times.