Inner West Auction Data to 24th October

Inner West Auction Results: Week Ending 24 October 2026

The Inner West held its lead over Sydney for a seventh week in a row, even as the wider market had its weakest week of the year. For the week ending Saturday 24 October 2026, 55.6% of reported auctions across the suburbs I track each week sold, compared with 47.9% across Sydney on a like-for-like basis (Domain’s headline Sydney rate was 43%). That’s a gap of about 8 percentage points.

What “like-for-like” means. Domain’s headline Sydney rate includes some auction results that it counts but never publishes property by property, and most of those are passed-in or withdrawn auctions. My Inner West rate can only be worked out from the results Domain does publish, so comparing it with Domain’s headline wouldn’t be fair. Instead, I work out both rates the same way, using only the results Domain publishes and the same clearance rate method. That’s what I call the like-for-like rate. Domain’s official headline figure is shown alongside for reference.

Here’s a full breakdown of the weekend’s Inner West auction results, and a peek into what the numbers mean if you’re planning on buying in the Inner West soon.

Sydney hits a new low for the year

Domain’s headline Sydney clearance fell to 43% this week, down from 51% the week before and below the 46% low recorded on 1 and 10 October. That compares with 70% this time last year. Like for like, Sydney cleared 47.9%, down from 57.5% last week and the weakest result since I started tracking the like-for-like rate in August.

The Inner West softened too, from 62.9% last week to 55.6%, but held up far better than the wider market. The lead over Sydney has now held for seven straight weeks and widened this week, which tells me local buyer demand is holding firm even when the wider market wobbles.

Volumes were lighter. There were 79 auctions listed across my tracked Inner West suburbs, down from 109 last week, with 63 reporting a result. Of those, 35 sold under the hammer or before auction, 9 passed in and 19 were withdrawn, while 16 were postponed. No properties sold after auction.

These are Domain’s preliminary figures for the week, as at its 27 October update, and may shift slightly when Domain finalises its results.

Inner West vs Sydney: the last eight weeks

Over the eight finalised weeks to 17 October, my tracked Inner West suburbs cleared 60.3% (327 of 542 reported auctions), against 56.7% for Sydney like for like and 51.5% on Domain’s headline figures. The Inner West came out ahead in seven of the eight weeks.

Withdrawals are climbing

Nineteen properties were withdrawn this week, close to one in three reported auctions. Units were hit hardest, with 12 of the 27 reported unit auctions withdrawn. A withdrawal often means the property will move to a private sale, sometimes with revised price expectations, so these are worth following up.

What happened to the postponed auctions?

Sixteen auctions were postponed this week, about one in five scheduled. Postponements usually mean an agent wants more time to build buyer interest because the campaign hasn’t created the competition they hoped for.

Four earlier postponements went on to sell:

• 9 Holmwood Street, Newtown was postponed on 10 October and sold at auction for $2.35m.
• 20 Weston Street, Dulwich Hill was postponed on 10 October and sold prior to auction for $2.0605m.
• 3 Wilga Avenue, Dulwich Hill was postponed on 10 October and sold prior to auction.
• 26/18 Cecilia Street, Marrickville was postponed on 10 October and sold prior to auction.

Four others were postponed earlier and then withdrawn this week: 21 Polding Street, Drummoyne (postponed twice), 3/196-202 Wyndham Street, Alexandria, 21/57-75 Buckland Street, Chippendale and 10/331 Balmain Road, Lilyfield. 17 Lonsdale Street, Lilyfield has now been postponed three weeks in a row.

For buyers, a postponed auction is worth watching closely. If you’re interested, it can be a good moment to make a post-auction offer, as the vendor may be more open to negotiating than they were at the start of the campaign.

Six in ten sales happened before auction day

Of the 35 Inner West auction sales, 21 (60.0%) sold prior to auction. That is down from 73.2% last week, but still the majority.

When most sales happen before auction day, the buyer who is organised early often secures the property. Having finance approved, a building and pest report done and your contract reviewed well before auction puts you in a position to be ready to negotiate if another buyer puts an offer forward, or if the vendor is eager for a pre-auction sale and there’s a reasonable deal to be done.

Houses vs units

Houses clearly outperformed units this week. Inner West house clearance was 64.5% (20 of 31 reported house auctions) against 48.1% for units (13 of 27). Townhouses sold 2 of 4, and the one duplex that went to auction passed in, although those are very small samples.

The gap came mostly from withdrawals rather than pass-ins. Well-located units with good layouts are still selling, including 101/18 Lilydale Street, Marrickville at $1.31m and 2/104 Douglas Street, Stanmore at $1.15m before auction, while units with compromises are more likely to be pulled from auction.

Performance by suburb

Cleared every reported auction: Rozelle (2 of 2), plus Balmain East, Croydon Park, Earlwood, Erskineville, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Haberfield, Hurlstone Park, Leichhardt and St Peters, which each sold their one reported auction.

Strongest: Dulwich Hill and Stanmore sold 3 of 4, and Marrickville sold 4 of 6, with all four Marrickville sales happening before auction.

Busiest: Alexandria sold 4 of 7.

Softer: Drummoyne (0 of 4, three withdrawn), Balmain (0 of 2, both withdrawn, with another 2 postponed), Lilyfield (1 of 4, three withdrawn), Annandale and Ashfield (1 of 3 each) and Newtown (2 of 5). Chippendale had one withdrawal and Lewisham one postponement.

Most suburbs had only a handful of auctions, so single-week results are directional. I track an eight-week rolling window for a more reliable read.

Top Inner West auction sales

• 10 Clarendon Road, Stanmore: $4.055m (at auction)
• 10 Mortley Avenue, Haberfield: $3.21m (at auction)
• 7 Power Avenue, Alexandria: $2.955m (at auction)
• 25 Union Street, Newtown: $2.855m (prior to auction)
• 9 Cove Street, Birchgrove: $2.725m (prior to auction)
• 106 Cavendish Street, Stanmore: $2.52m (at auction)

Passed in opportunities

Nine properties passed in last weekend: 81 Renwick Street, Alexandria, 17 Johnston Street and 283 Young Street in Annandale, 69-71 Louisa Road, Birchgrove, 60 Mallett Street, Camperdown, 13 Bowman Street, Drummoyne, 1/71 The Boulevarde, Dulwich Hill, and 16/155 Missenden Road and 93 Union Street in Newtown.

When a property passes in, the highest bidder gets the first chance to negotiate, but other buyers can still make an offer. With Domain’s headline Sydney clearance at 43%, many vendors are open to post-auction negotiation, which can give well-prepared buyers some leverage.

What this means for Inner West buyers

Quality homes in suburbs like Stanmore, Dulwich Hill and Marrickville are still selling well, often before auction day. At the same time, 19 withdrawals, 16 postponements and a Sydney-wide market at its weakest point of the year mean there is more room to negotiate on properties that don’t attract strong competition, particularly units.

For buyers, that means being ready to act quickly on the best properties while staying patient and strategic on the rest. Know your numbers, understand recent comparable sales and keep an eye on postponed, withdrawn and passed-in listings.

The stats

• Inner West clearance: 55.6% (vs 47.9% Sydney like-for-like, 43% Domain headline)
• Listed: 79 across tracked suburbs (63 reported)
• Sold: 35 | Sold after auction: 0 | Passed in: 9 | Withdrawn: 19 | Postponed: 16
• Sold prior to auction: 60.0% (21 of 35 sales)
• House clearance: 64.5% | Unit clearance: 48.1%

Frequently asked questions

What is a good auction clearance rate?

Above 70% generally indicates a strong sellers’ market with competitive bidding. Between 60% and 70% suggests balanced conditions, and below 60% points to a buyers’ market. At 55.6%, the Inner West has dipped into buyers’ market territory this week, while Sydney (43% on Domain’s headline figure, 47.9% like for like) is firmly in favour of buyers.

Why does the Inner West clear higher than Sydney overall?

Limited stock, tightly held pockets, strong owner-occupier demand and proximity to the CBD all help the Inner West outperform the wider Sydney market. Over the eight finalised weeks to 17 October, the lead averaged about 3.3 percentage points like for like.

Why are so many auctions being postponed or withdrawn?

They usually happen when an agent wants more time to build interest, the campaign hasn’t attracted enough competition, or a key buyer is unavailable. This week, four previously postponed properties sold and four were withdrawn.

What does “sold prior to auction” mean, and why does it matter?

It means the property sold before auction day, usually because one buyer made a strong offer or the vendor wanted certainty. When six in ten sales happen this way, waiting until auction day can mean missing out.

What happens when a property passes in?

If the reserve is not met, the property passes in. The highest bidder gets the first right to negotiate with the vendor, but other buyers can still make offers.

Which Inner West suburbs are most competitive right now?

Dulwich Hill and Stanmore each sold 3 of 4 last week and Marrickville sold 4 of 6, while Alexandria was the busiest market, selling 4 of 7.

Is now a good time to buy in the Inner West?

If you’re ready and can afford to buy, a softer market works in your favour. The best properties still sell quickly, often before auction, but withdrawals, postponements and Sydney’s weakest clearance of the year are giving buyers more room to negotiate on everything else.

Are auction price guides reliable?

Price guides are a starting point only. Comparable sales, current market conditions and real buyer demand give a much more accurate picture of what a property will sell for.

Can you represent me at auction or after a property passes in?

Yes. I offer auction bidding representation and post-pass-in negotiation for buyers who want an experienced advocate on their side.