Spring Auction Thaw Faces Rate Hike Freeze as Buyers Hunt Bargains

The national auction clearance rate reached 60 per cent — a 19-week high — as fresh spring stock and vendor discounting lured cautious buyers back into the market. But don't uncork the champagne: Sydney's preliminary clearance rate sat at just 53 per cent, well below the 60 per cent balanced threshold, with 133 auctions withdrawn in a single week.

Money Moves

• Auction activity surges nationally — Almost 60 per cent of homes cleared at auction in...