You’ve been to open homes, only to find crowds of buyers already circling. Homes are selling fast, sometimes before you can make an offer. Sound familiar?
In Australia’s property market, the best homes often sell before they’re even advertised. But there’s a smarter way to buy off-market properties.
Off-market sales are discreet, often quieter transactions where the property isn’t advertised to the public. And here’s the best part? Aussie Buyer’s Agents have exclusive access to many of these hidden opportunities.
In this guide, we’ll show you:
How off-market property sales work
Why sellers choose to sell off-market
How you can find these exclusive opportunities
How Aussie’s tools and experts help you act fast and buy smart
Why do sellers choose to sell off-market?
1. Privacy concerns
Some sellers don’t want the world to know they’re selling. Off-market sales offer discretion, privacy, and fewer public inspections.
2. A faster, less stressful sale
Sellers may be downsizing, relocating, or dealing with financial or personal reasons. Off-market sales help them avoid lengthy campaigns and open homes.
3. Testing buyer interest
Some sellers use off-market sales to gauge buyers interest before committing to a public listing.
Be a ready buyer. Aussie’s Borrowing Power Calculator helps you know exactly how much you can borrow before you approach off-market sellers.
How to find off-market properties
1. Work with a buyer’s agent
An Aussie Buyer’s Agent gives you exclusive access to off-market and pre-market opportunities. Through trusted relationships with real estate agents, developers, and vendors, they:
Find properties that aren’t listed publicly
Negotiate directly with sellers for a better price and favourable terms
Save you time, money, and stress
You might also be interested in: What is a buyer’s agent?
2. Build relationships with real estate agents
Without a buyer’s agent, you’ll need to put in the legwork.
Attend open homes
Stay in touch with agents
Be clear about your budget and readiness to act
Tip: Have your pre-approval ready to show you’re serious. Talk to an Aussie Broker to move quickly on your pre-approval.
You might also be interested in: Difference between real estate agents vs. buyer's agents
3. Approach homeowners directly
Research target areas. Approach downsizers, landlords, or estates.
Letterbox drops
Personalised letters
Door-knocking (if you’re feeling brave!)
Use Aussie’s Property Report to identify high-growth suburbs and properties that match your criteria.
4. Leverage your network
Word travels fast in local communities. Let friends, family, and colleagues know you’re on the hunt for a property. Some of the good opportunities never make it to the market, changing hands through personal connections.
5. Buying through property developers
Developers often offer new buildings and land releases off-market before they’re publicly listed. If you can get in early, you may benefit from better prices, first-pick choices of lots or layouts, and potential inclusions or upgrades.
Financing an off-market purchase
Get pre-approved before you start
Off-market deals often move quickly. Sellers want to deal with buyers who are ready to go. That’s why having your home loan pre-approved is crucial. It shows sellers you’re serious and financially ready to move.
Use Aussie’s Borrowing Power Calculator to find out how much you can borrow and get pre-approved through an Aussie Broker.
Work with a mortgage broker
A mortgage broker helps ensure your loan is structured correctly and that you’re getting competitive rates. Some lenders offer special terms for private sales, and a broker can help you explore those options.
Book a Home Loan Health Check to make sure your loan is ready for your next move.
Check property prices on the Aussie app
The Aussie app makes it easy to stay ahead in your property search. You can track property prices, research areas of interest, and even uncover potential off-market opportunities. It’s your personal dashboard for staying informed and ready to act when the right property comes up.
Risks and considerations of off-market purchases
Limited price comparison
With no public listing or auction, you’ll need to do more homework to understand fair market value.
Less competition doesn’t always mean cheaper
Some sellers price high in off-market deals to test the waters.
Due diligence is non-negotiable
Whether it’s on-market or off-market, thorough inspections, legal checks, and title searches are essential to avoid buying a property with hidden issues.
How Aussie Buyer’s Agents make off-market buying easy
An Aussie Buyer’s Agent gives you exclusive access to off-market properties through deep industry connections.
They have direct relationships with developers and early-release opportunities that aren’t advertised to the public. This means you can get a head start on new developments, often on more favourable terms.
An Aussie Buyer’s Agent works alongside experienced mortgage brokers to ensure your financing is ready. This means you won’t miss out on a fast-moving off-market opportunity because of delays in approval.
Using tools like LocationIQ and PropertyXPlorer, they carry out detailed market analysis and property assessments, ensuring you’re not overpaying.
With an Aussie Buyer’s Agent in your corner, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve got an experienced ally working to secure the right property at the right price.