With 2018 off and racing the most common talking point among buyers and sellers is, ‘what will the market do?’

And that’s the million-dollar question. But assuming no one is taking investment tips from property groups (are they?), we can only tell you what we know, so far.

On the front lines, this year started like any other, despite lots of chatter and speculation about where this market is heading.

We’re seen a spout of listings in upper price brackets (more than $2m) and open home attendance has been healthy enough to match that supply. Across all sectors and price brackets, an average of 14 groups have turned out at each BresicWhitney inspection – that’s a notable amount of foot traffic for a slow-burn month such as January.

In the next few weeks, Sydneysiders will be able to form their own assumptions as the post-Australia Day dynamic takes hold and gives us a true balance.

Looking ahead, we’re going into February with 70 auctions already booked. With the first hammer not scheduled to drop until February 10, that’s 70 auctions in just 3 weeks.

Until then, it’s a seesaw we’ll be monitoring closely.