if the house you are planning to buy is a new housing area then the developer won't let the price drop. The developer will hold on to the price as long as they can and then when they can no longer hold it, will just run away if its a good developer, then you are rest assure that they have the power to keep the price up and not down.

to enjoy market price down property, buy existing property or old property or from those who need cash desperately because they lose money from stock market etc. that way you may get a good house for a good price.

yes you can get 20-30% discount from auction property but you will need an experience estate agent to go with you else you may be getting a junk property, there are a few experience agents in this forum I think ....