COMO — Why Compromise is the New Normal for Property Buyers
The Australian property market is heating up — again. Forecasts for 2025-26 predict record-high house prices in most capital cities, including Melbourne's median house price tipped to reach $1.112 million. As affordability becomes more challenging, many buyers are learning that the dream home often comes with a dose of reality: you may need to compromise to secure your place in the market.
This phenomenon is being labelled COMO — Compromise or Miss Out. Unlike previous market cycles, where buyers might spend months carefully considering options, the current environment demands faster decision-making and a willingness to adjust expectations.
This trend is playing out across the country. Buyers have been forced to trade off size, location, or property type just to get their foot in the door.
Importantly, COMO doesn’t mean settling for a poor investment or home. It means being strategic — compromising on cosmetic features, slightly widening your search radius, or considering alternate property types, all while ensuring the fundamentals of location, property quality, and long-term potential are still met.
As a buyer's advocate, my advice is clear: If you understand and embrace COMO early in your search, you stay ahead of the competition — and avoid being locked out of the market altogether.
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Source: Adapted from Domain, "Rising property prices in 2025-26 spur 'fear of missing out' and 'compromise or miss out'", 2025.