ACT real estate figures show drop in number of Canberra houses for sale

There has been a significant drop in the number of houses up for sale in Canberra compared with the same period in previous years, according to the ACT Real Estate Institute.

The institute estimates there are about 2,400 homes on the market this September, compared with a previous average of 3,300.

The Real Estate Institute's Ron Bell said sellers were being cautious.

"Confidence does have a lot to do with it, particularly since the last budget," he said.

"But our expectations and our opinions about the loss of public servant positions is that it will not affect the market that badly.

"There will be a lot of people retiring and a lot of people taking redundancy packages, and so far it hasn't had much of an effect at all."

In contrast, the institute has warned of a potential glut of apartments up for sale in the ACT.

Mr Bell said there are large number of apartments coming up for sale at a time when many apartment complexes are being built.

"You could see a lot more on the market than the market can bear," he said.

"But the effect of that wouldn't necessarily force prices down too much, so I wouldn't think so."