If you like a property and can afford its fair value, refusing to pay what the market has already confirmed isn’t strategy it’s self-sabotage.

With the right questions, information, and strategy, buyers can cut through the noise, call an agent’s bluff respectfully, and make confident decisions even in a game stacked in favour of sales agents.

This is the reality of off-market buying: when the timing, due diligence, and negotiation strategy all line up, you can secure a near-identical home for hundreds of thousands less just like we did on Cardigan Street.

While the NSW Government’s proposed underquoting reforms are a step in the right direction, they still fail to address the core issue: sellers can set reserves far above the advertised guide, leaving buyers just as vulnerable as before.

Even when nothing goes to plan, the right people and processes ensure everything still falls into place.

We’re now in the final window for new on-market listings before Christmas, so if you’re hoping to buy this year, the next two weeks are critical.

A reflection on taking the leap 3.5 years ago to leave a salaried job, build a referral-based business, and redefine success on my own terms with more freedom, family time, and fulfillment than ever before.

At a recent Sydney auction, what began as a predictable bidding war turned chaotic when a developer, after dozens of $1K bids, accidentally overbid by $89,000 proof that emotion and ego can be very expensive in real estate.

In real estate, spotting when an agent is bluffing about ‘another buyer’ can be the difference between overpaying or winning smart.

The real win in property buying isn’t being first through the door it’s finding the right home at the right price from a seller who’s truly committed.

Every buyer’s journey is different, but my role stays the same—aligning with your goals, values and budget until we secure the right home for you.

Auctions are unpredictable and emotionally charged, but missing out is your cue to reassess your brief, align expectations, and—where possible—secure great properties before auction day to avoid paying top dollar.

The Bargain Hunter spends years chasing discounts that don’t exist, while real wealth comes from paying fair value for great properties that perform over time.

A once-in-a-lifetime next-door opportunity secured at auction—not with the highest bid, but with strategy, psychology, and calm execution.

Sometimes the smartest auction wins aren’t about having the deepest pockets, but about strategy, psychology, and disciplinelike helping my clients quietly buy the house next door without paying a “neighbour premium.”

A recent Sydney Morning Herald report confirms what buyers have long suspected: price guides in Sydney are often misleading, with the majority of properties selling well above their advertised range sometimes by over 30% highlighting a systemic lack of transparency that wastes buyers' time and money.

Start your property search with a realistic brief and a clear strategy, and you’ll avoid the panic buy that leads to regret.

In a market where local insight makes all the difference, investors are far better off choosing a buyer’s agent with deep, on-the-ground expertise—because great property decisions start with local knowledge, not national reach.

This auction win shows how a clear, strategic approach—timing bids, reading the room, and managing the tempo—can secure a property well below budget, even in a competitive field.

If you’re planning to buy in the next year or two, remember: only the income you declare to the ATO counts toward your borrowing power—so declaring more now could mean borrowing more later.