A real estate listings giant has had a better-than-expected year, despite falling property prices. (Christopher Hopkins/AAP PHOTOS)A real estate listings giant has had a better-than-expected year, despite falling property prices. "But once the dust settles and interest rates stabilise, we expect consumer confidence to improve and buyers to become more active." Rising interest rates were more to blame for property market woes than the removal of tax concessions for investors, Mr McIntyre said. "It's likely that we're at or near the peak of the interest rate cycle," he said.