Property listings edged higher in February, offering buyers slightly more choice.

For investors tracking Australian property market trends, the latest SQM Research data provides key insights into supply dynamics.

Total listings reached 429,325, marking a 2.3% increase from January and a 4.1% rise year-on-year.

Major capital cities saw varied trends: Sydney (up 11.6%), Canberra (8.3%), Melbourne (5.5%), and Adelaide (4.8%) all recorded gains.

Meanwhile, Brisbane (1.5%) and Hobart (1.1%) saw smaller increases, while Perth (-0.9%) and Darwin (-1.6%) experienced slight declines.

SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher notes that while selling activity remains strong, Sydney and Melbourne are seeing a buildup of unsold properties, indicating a potential slowdown in demand.

Looking ahead, listings are expected to rise in March before pausing in April due to public holidays and the upcoming Federal Election.

For investors, this could create short-term buying opportunities, particularly in markets with increasing stock levels.