Perth’s fast-moving property market: what it means for self-employed buyers

If you’re self-employed in Perth right now, the property market can feel harder to navigate than it should. The market is moving quickly, competition is strong, and at the same time your income doesn’t fit neatly into a payslip. Many self-employed buyers aren’t worried about whether they earn enough, they’re unsure how their income will be viewed and whether now is even the right time to start.

That uncertainty is common, but it’s also where a lot of people lose momentum unnecessarily.

Why self-employed buyers often feel stuck

In a fast-moving market, confidence and clarity matter, for self-employed buyers, hesitation usually comes from mixed advice or incomplete explanations rather than genuine affordability issues. Being told different things by different people can quickly lead to inaction, and the result is often the same: people wait, not because they need to, but because they’re unsure what to do next.

The “wait two years” misconception

One of the most common things self-employed buyers hear is: “You’ll need to wait two years.” Sometimes that’s true, often, it’s not. What gets missed is that lenders don’t just look at time, they look at structure, consistency, and context. Two years is not a rule, it’s a guideline that depends heavily on how your business is set up and how the numbers are presented. Waiting two full years without a plan can actually hold you back, especially if changes could be made earlier that strengthen your position.

what to focus on next:

Instead of assuming time is the solution, it’s worth understanding what lenders are looking for and whether there are steps you can take now to improve how your income is assessed.

This is often where having a chat with your home loan guy helps, not to push you into buying, but to understand what matters and what doesn’t in your specific situation.

What self-employed buyers can actually do

Self-employed buyers don’t need to force outcomes, they need to prepare intelligently.

That usually means:

• Understanding how taxable income differs from assessable income

• Knowing which expenses help tax but hurt borrowing

• Recognising how different business structures are viewed

• Planning changes ahead of time, not after the fact

These aren’t things to rush, but they are things to be aware of early.

Why your professional team matters more than you think

One issue that comes up regularly is professionals working in isolation, an accountant may be focused purely on minimising tax, while your broker may be focused on borrowing capacity. Both are doing their job, but when they’re not aligned early, opportunities can be missed. When your broker and accountant understand the same goal, decisions around income, expenses, and structure can be made with both tax and borrowing in mind.

what to focus on next:

Early conversations between your professionals can make a significant difference later. it’s much easier to adjust direction before the numbers are finalised than after a tax return is lodged.

Why February is a smart time to start thinking ahead

This time of year is often overlooked, February and March are actually ideal for self-employed buyers to start considering:

• How the current financial year will present

• Whether income is trending up or down

• What changes could strengthen the next tax period

• What documentation will eventually matter

None of this commits you to buying. It simply puts you in control.

what to focus on next:

Thinking ahead now gives you options later, even small adjustments made early can have a sizeable impact by the time you’re ready to move. This is a great opportunity to discuss your upcoming plans with your home loan guy, they'll be able to advise on how your financials need to present at tax time, giving you time to re-focus.

How this fits into the wider Perth market

Self-employed buyers are navigating the same pressures affecting all buyers: rising prices, limited supply, and strong competition.

If you’ve read about the broader housing shortage in Perth, you’ll recognise how these conditions magnify uncertainty when income isn’t straightforward.

And if you’re earlier in your journey, the first home buyer blog breaks down how preparation helps in fast-moving markets, regardless of employment type.

Final thoughts

Being self-employed doesn’t mean buying property in Perth is out of reach, what tends to hold people back isn’t income, it’s lack of clarity and delayed planning. Most self-employed buyers don’t need to rush or wait indefinitely, they benefit most from understanding their position early and strengthening it over time.

what to focus on next:

Start with clarity, not commitment, once you understand where you stand the next steps become far easier to map out. If you’re self-employed and unsure how this market applies to you, now’s a good time to have a chat with your home loan guy and talk through what options might realistically be available.

Book a free home loan discussion now