The $450,000 Advantage: An Off-Market Success Story
Buying off market can produce incredible results but it can also be a trap. Many people believe that off-market properties automatically represent hidden value, but the reality is far more nuanced.
As a buyer’s agent, I never guarantee that we’ll secure an off-market property. Why? Because many off-markets are off market for a reason: the owner may have unrealistic price expectations, or they may be unwilling to spend on marketing; a sign they don’t have enough skin in the game.
However… When the right property appears under the right circumstances, the opportunity to secure a standout deal is real. In some cases, you can save yourself hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Let me show you exactly how this played out recently.
A Real Example: Two Nearly Identical Homes, $450,000 Apart
No two homes are identical and I always stress that. But every so often, you find a comparison so close it almost feels like a controlled experiment.
Here’s what happened:
The Off-Market Purchase (for my clients)
202 sqm
Purchased: September 2025
Price: $2,420,000
The On-Market Sale
232 sqm
Sold: November 2025
Price: $2,870,000
The Comparison
Both on the same side of the same street, less than 100m apart
Both 3 bed, 1 bath, freestanding, with rear lane access (future parking potential)
Both move-in ready with scope to renovate and add a second level
Both quoted with a $2,300,000 price guide
Both sold through the same agent
It doesn’t get much closer than this yet the off-market property was secured for $450,000 less.
So… how did we do it?
How We Secured a $450,000 Advantage
Timing
The moment the agent had a signed agreement from the vendor, I was ready. Early access and early action are critical.
Fast Due Diligence
We moved quickly through inspections, research, and contract reviews to ensure we could act decisively.
Collaboration With the Agent
Working with not against the agent allowed us to negotiate terms that suited everyone. The goal?
Make it easy for the owner to say yes.
A Strong, Strategic Offer
The “low-ball” myth is just that a myth.
We put forward a genuine, well-supported offer… and held firm.
Limited Competition
Off-market doesn’t mean zero competition, but it’s usually far less than an on-market campaign.
In this case: only five groups inspected the property.
Want Access to Every Opportunity?
If you rely on searching Real Estate or Domain alone, you're only seeing part of the market and often not the best part.
A buyer’s agent gives you a holistic view of:
Off-market
Pre-market
On-market
properties that match your brief.
Otherwise, you’re limiting yourself to whatever happens to appear online and maybe a few pre-markets with agents who take you seriously.
If you want to be first in line for the right opportunities, not last in line with the crowds, let’s talk.
