It’s amazing what a difference one or two days make to the market.

Last month the storm clouds were gathering – for both the economy and the property market.

Yet this month the sun has come out and so have the buyers.

Early in the year buyer and seller expectations were close together, resulting in good sales activity.

Then the interest rate rises in particular set them apart.

Vendors wanted to hold prices or see an increase while buyers were looking for bargains.

Ray White’s Brett Graham said that over the past four weeks there has been a gradual increase in the amount of enquiry, numbers at on-site auctions and, more particularly, sales.

This is more the result of sellers understanding the market and what it takes to sell today.

“There is a underlining optimism in the market and there are plenty of buyers around,” he said.

“The only thing that was holding the market back was price which seems to be adjusting now. This alone is increasing the amount of sales we are making.”

With 10 sales in 10 days Amber Werchon could not be happier with results in the first few weeks trading under her own banner Amber Werchon Property.

“When you couple the fact we could have interest rate reductions with the abolition of stamp duty for first home buyers for properties under $500,000 next month ... that is bound to have an impact.

“The saving is $8750 for a home of $500,000 purchased after September 1. We are now seeing people wanting to buy then.

“Volume is strong, buyers are looking for value and, more important than ever, vendors are looking to position a property right.

You can get a big result if you position it right with longer, stronger market campaigns.”

Vicki Stewart of Stewart Tandy and Associates in Mooloolaba is another experienced agent who has been in the market in good times and in bad.

“July was good, August is looking to be huge. Whatever it is, we’re doing something right.”

Inquiry is strong from South Africa, New Zealand and the UK as well as Sydney, Melbourne and central Queensland.

People relocating to the Sunshine Coast are starting to look at this time of the year – they want to be close to work, close to schools.

“We are seeing SOLD stickers,” Vicki Stewart said.

“People who have been waiting to see the bottom of the slump now realise the next interest rates move will be down, so they are getting on board.

We are finding people who were waiting to sell before they would buy – who were not prepared to go to bridging finance – can now you can see the light at the end of the tunnel … and it’s not the train.”