Inner West Auction Results: Week Ending 3 October 2026

It was a quieter week for auctions heading into the October long weekend and school holidays, but the Inner West still delivered its strongest result in seven weeks. For the week ending Saturday 3 October 2026, 65.9% of reported auctions across the suburbs I track each week sold, compared with 58.8% across Sydney on a like-for-like basis (Domain's headline Sydney rate was 53%). That's a gap of about 7 percentage points, and the highest Inner West clearance since mid August.

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.

Inner West clearance lifts as Sydney steadies

Domain's headline Sydney clearance has improved for two weeks in a row, from 49% in the week ending 19 September to 51%, and now 53%. On a like-for-like basis Sydney rose from 53.7% to 55.4% and then 58.8%. That is still well below the 72% recorded this time last year. The Inner West has sat between 58% and 61% for the past three weeks and stepped up to 65.9% this week.

The Inner West's lead is modest like for like, but it has held in six of the last eight weeks, which tells me local buyer demand is holding firm. Low stock levels, tightly held pockets and strong owner-occupier demand close to the CBD continue to support Inner West results, even while the wider Sydney market is subdued.

Volumes were well down on the week before. There were 50 auctions listed across my tracked Inner West suburbs, compared with 89 the previous week, with 41 reporting a result. Of those, 27 sold under the hammer or before auction, 1 sold after auction, 5 passed in and 8 were withdrawn, while 9 were postponed.

Inner West vs Sydney: the last eight weeks

Over the past eight weeks, my tracked Inner West suburbs cleared 61.1% (284 of 465 reported auctions), against 57.5% for Sydney like for like and 52% on Domain's headline figures. The Inner West came out ahead in six of the eight weeks.

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How the like-for-like figure works. Domain's headline Sydney rate includes some results it counts but doesn't publish by address, many of them passed-in or withdrawn auctions. My Inner West figure can only use the results Domain publishes, so I calculate Sydney the same way: every Sydney auction Domain lists, using Domain's method (sold at or before auction, divided by all reported auctions, postponed excluded). Domain's official figures are shown alongside for reference.

What happened to the postponed auctions?

Nine auctions were postponed this week, almost 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.

This week gave a clear picture of where postponed properties end up. Three earlier postponements went on to sell:

• 11 Beach Road, Dulwich Hill was postponed on 5 September and sold at auction this week.
• 74 Stafford Street, Stanmore was postponed on 12 September and sold prior to auction.
• 26 Ivy Street, Darlington was postponed last week and sold after auction this week.

Three others were postponed earlier and then withdrawn this week: G6/1-3 Larkins Street, Camperdown, 16 Morris Avenue, Croydon Park and 76/24 Buchanan Street, Balmain. 125 Wigram Road, Forest Lodge has now been postponed three times since 5 September.

For buyers, a postponed auction is worth watching closely. If you're interested, it can be a good moment to make a pre-auction offer, as the vendor may be more open to negotiating than they were at the start of the campaign. The 8 withdrawals are also worth following up. A withdrawal often means the property will move to a private sale, sometimes with revised price expectations.

Half of all sales happened before auction day

Of the 27 Inner West auction sales, 14 (51.9%) sold prior to auction. That is down from 54.5% last week and 60.5% in the week ending 19 September, but it's still more than half of all sales.

This matters for buyers because the sale method is far from certain in this market. When half of all sales happen before auction day, the buyer who is organised early often secures the property. Having finance approved, a building and pest report booked and your contract reviewed before the campaign ends puts you in a position to make a strong pre-auction offer rather than waiting for Saturday.

Houses vs units

Houses outperformed units again this week. Inner West house clearance was 64.7% (11 of 17 reported house auctions) against 61.9% for units (13 of 21). Both townhouses and the one terrace that went to auction sold, although that is a very small sample.

The unit market is steady but selective. Ashfield was a good example, with three two-bedroom units all selling prior to auction between $915,000 and $950,000. Well-located units with good layouts are selling, while those with compromises on layout, parking or strata are more likely to pass in or be withdrawn.

Performance by suburb

• Cleared every auction: Ashfield and Stanmore (3 of 3), Glebe, Leichhardt and Summer Hill (2 of 2).
• Busiest: Marrickville sold 4 of 7, led by 30a Cary Street at $3.31m.
• Single sales: Erskineville, Enmore, Croydon, Abbotsford, Drummoyne and Forest Lodge each sold their one reported auction.
• Softer: Newtown (1 of 3, two houses passed in), Alexandria (1 of 3, two withdrawn) and Camperdown (1 of 2). Balmain, Croydon Park, Lewisham, Earlwood and Darlington had one result each that didn't clear.

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

• 12 Toxteth Road, Glebe: $5.688m (prior to auction)
• 20-22 Metropolitan Road, Enmore: $4.72m (at auction)
• 30a Cary Street, Marrickville: $3.31m (at auction)
• 24 Macauley Street, Leichhardt: $2.36m (at auction)
• 129 Victoria Street, Dulwich Hill: $2.25m (prior to auction)
• 33 Eve Street, Erskineville: $1.825m (at auction)

Passed in opportunities

Five properties passed in last weekend: 107 Darley Street and 75 Albermarle Street in Newtown, C809/359 Illawarra Road, Marrickville, 11/22 Terrace Road, Dulwich Hill and 1/27-33 Homer Street, Earlwood. One property, 26 Ivy Street, Darlington, sold after auction.

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 still in the low 50s, 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 Glebe, Leichhardt, Stanmore and Ashfield are still selling well, often before auction day. At the same time, postponements, withdrawals and a Sydney-wide market that is still well below last year mean there is room to negotiate on properties that don't attract strong competition.

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 and passed-in listings.

The stats

• Inner West clearance: 65.9% (vs 58.8% Sydney like-for-like, 53% Domain headline)
• Listed: 50 across tracked suburbs (41 reported)
• Sold: 27 | Sold after auction: 1 | Passed in: 5 | Withdrawn: 8 | Postponed: 9
• Sold prior to auction: 51.9% (14 of 27 sales)
• House clearance: 64.7% | Unit clearance: 61.9%

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 65.9%, the Inner West is sitting in balanced territory, while Sydney (53% on Domain's headline figure, 58.8% like for like) is leaning towards 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 past eight weeks the lead has averaged about 3.6 percentage points like for like.

Why are so many auctions being postponed? 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, three previously postponed properties sold and three 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 half of all 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? Ashfield, Stanmore, Glebe, Leichhardt and Summer Hill cleared every reported auction last week, with Marrickville the busiest market overall.

Is now a good time to buy in the Inner West? Conditions are balanced. The best properties still sell quickly, but a softer Sydney-wide market, postponed auctions and withdrawals 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.