Some of the best homes in Bondi, Bellevue Hill, Vaucluse and Paddington change hands without ever reaching a portal. Here is how off market buying actually works.
An off market property is one that is for sale but not advertised on the major property portals. The vendor has usually appointed a selling agent, who quietly offers it to a short list of buyers they know are serious.
Some sell this way and some go on to a public campaign later. Either way, the buyers who hear about it first get the chance to negotiate without competition.
In the Eastern Suburbs the reasons are often personal. Some owners value privacy and do not want their home photographed and advertised. Others want a quick, clean sale without months of open homes. Some simply want to test the price before committing to a full campaign.
For you, it can mean less competition and more room to negotiate. It does not automatically mean a bargain, which is why proper research still matters.
Off market opportunities travel through relationships. Selling agents call the buyers and buyers agents they trust to be serious, decisive and easy to deal with.
I spent years as a selling agent in the Eastern Suburbs before switching sides, and I grew up here and went to school here. Many of the local agents know me, which means my clients hear about properties early. If you are searching on your own, register with the leading local agents, tell them clearly what you want, and keep in touch.
When an off market home appears, the window is often short. The buyers who succeed are ready.
Off market does not mean you skip due diligence. You still need comparable sales, a contract review, building and pest reports and, for apartments, a close look at the strata records. The lack of competition is an advantage only if you buy the right property at the right price.
I brief my agent network on exactly what my clients want, I inspect first, I check the numbers, and I negotiate. If you would like first look at Eastern Suburbs homes before they are advertised, tell me what you are after.
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This guide is general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Always speak with your solicitor or conveyancer and your finance broker about your own situation.
This guide is general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. It is not financial, legal or tax advice. Please get independent advice before making any decision. See my terms and disclaimer.
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