Blog post by Empower Wealth

Two Big Signals Property Owners Can’t Ignore This Month

These two weeks has delivered two major signals that every property buyer and investor should be paying attention to. The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates once again in their August 2025 meeting, and auction markets across the country are heating up to their busiest levels since June.

Together, these shifts could reshape how the property market behaves in the months ahead — making it a critical moment to review your next move.

Signal 1: The RBA’s Rate Cut

On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia announced a 0.25% cut to the cash rate, offering welcome relief for households after a challenging run of higher repayments.

The cut is being passed on by most lenders, but not all at the same time. Some borrowers are already seeing lower rates flow through, while others won’t notice a difference until September.

Here’s when the banks are passing it on:

Lender	Effective Date
Commonwealth Bank (CBA)	22 Aug
National Australia Bank (NAB)	25 Aug
Westpac	26 Aug
ANZ	22 Aug
Macquarie Bank	15 Aug
Suncorp	22 Aug
St George	26 Aug
Bank of Melbourne	26 Aug
Bankwest	22 Aug
Pepper Money	28 Aug
Resimac	28 Aug
Firstmac	26 Aug
HSBC	25 Aug
ING	26 Aug
Liberty	27 Aug
ME Bank	30 Aug
AMP	25 Aug
Bank Australia	21 Aug
Beyond Bank	26 Aug
MyState	28 Aug
People Choice Credit Union	26 Aug
Teachers Mutual Bank	21 Aug
UBank	21 Aug
AFG Home Loans – Alpha	27 Aug
AFG Home Loans – Link	25 Aug
AFG Home Loans – Options	28 Aug
AFG Home Loans – Retro	25 Aug
AFG Home Loans -Edge	9 Sep

This table was prepared by Empower Wealth’s Mortgage Advisory team on 15 August 2025 to help our clients understand exactly when their lender will pass on the cut. It’s a small example of the detailed work our brokers do every day — not only tracking changes across the lending landscape, but also making sure our clients know how and when those changes affect them.

While the savings from this cut may feel modest, it’s the wider opportunity that matters.

Whenever rates fall, competition between lenders typically ramps up.

That makes now an ideal time to review your loan — not just to secure the latest discount, but to ensure your loan structure, offsets, and overall strategy are working hard for your long-term goals.

Signal 2: Auctions Are Heating Up

At the same time, property market activity is lifting. According to new data from Cotality, more than 2,100 homes are scheduled for auction this weekend — the first time volumes have exceeded 2,000 since June!

Melbourne leads with 978 homes set to go under the hammer.
Sydney follows with 760 auctions.
Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra are also seeing increased volumes.

Last week’s combined clearance rate hit almost 70% — the strongest in 18 months — while Sydney has now posted three consecutive weeks above the 70% mark.

These figures suggest confidence is returning.

For buyers, that means more choice — but also more competition. And when rate cuts and rising demand combine, history shows property prices often follow. For existing property owners, this means the value of your property may be on the rise leading to an opportunity for refinance or equity release.

A Deeper Dive: Mid-Year Property Market Update

If you want to step back and see the bigger picture, now is the perfect time to catch up on our latest podcast episode — Ep 560 | Mid-Year Property Market Outlook 2025 on The Property Couch.

In this jam-packed update, Bryce Holdaway and Ben Kingsley revisit the predictions made in February, unpack what’s actually played out, and reveal what investors need to know for the second half of 2025. From Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane leading the charge, to speculation risks flashing red, it’s a comprehensive look at the trends shaping Australia’s housing market right now. Listen to the full episode here >

Why This Matters for You

Lower borrowing costs and stronger buyer activity are powerful signals for what’s ahead.

For homeowners and investors, this environment offers opportunities — but also risks if you act without a clear plan.

This is where having the right team in your corner makes all the difference. At Empower Wealth, we don’t just focus on rates or individual purchases in isolation. We look at the bigger picture: your goals, your portfolio, and the strategy that ties it all together.

And we’re proud to share that this commitment has just been recognised on a national stage yesterday. At the 2025 AFG Broker Awards, Empower Wealth was named one of the Top 5 Brokerages in Australia. Even better, eight of our brokers were named in the Top 50 nationally, with two ranking in the Top 10.

This recognition reflects not just the calibre of our team, but also the trust our clients place in us every day. It’s an honour we’re incredibly proud of, and it reinforces our mission: to help more Australians build wealth and financial confidence through smarter property and finance decisions.

Take the Next Step

With markets shifting, the most important question isn’t just “What will rates or auctions do next?” — it’s

“Am I ready to act with confidence when they do?”

That’s where we come in. Our integrated services — from mortgage broking to property strategy, tax, and financial planning — are designed to give you a tailored financial roadmap, so you can take advantage of these shifts while staying on track with your lifestyle goals. If you’re ready to review your lending or explore your next move, now is the time.

Request your free, no-obligation consultation today via the form below and let our award-winning team help you take advantage of the opportunities ahead.

Book your free appointment

Categories: Property Investment Advice