What are off-market properties?
Off-market properties are homes that are for sale but aren’t advertised publicly on portals like realestate.com.au or Domain. These properties are sold quietly, often through direct agent relationships, industry networks, or buyers agents who have access to early or exclusive listings.
Vendors may choose to sell off-market for a variety of reasons:
To maintain privacy
To avoid marketing and staging costs
To test buyer interest before committing to a public campaign
To achieve a quick, discreet sale due to personal or financial circumstances
In some suburbs, particularly prestige areas and tightly held neighbourhoods, off-market sales can make up as much as 10–20% of total transactions.¹ That’s a significant slice of the market that most everyday buyers never even see.
Why investors should pay attention
Off-market properties offer several key advantages for investors:
1. Reduced competition
Because off-market homes aren’t visible to the general public, there are fewer buyers in the mix. This often means less pressure, no auctions, and more room to negotiate favourable terms.
2. Better value
Research by CoreLogic suggests that off-market properties can sell for 5 - 10% below comparable on-market listings, particularly when sellers are motivated and time-poor.² That discount can be the difference between a break-even investment and a positively geared one.
3. Access to high-growth locations
Off-market opportunities often include homes in suburbs with low turnover - areas where owners rarely sell. These suburbs are frequently high in demand, close to key amenities, and have demonstrated strong capital growth over time. In short: they’re exactly where smart investors want to buy.
How to tap into the off-market advantage
Accessing these properties isn't easy for the average buyer. They’re rarely advertised, and local agents often reserve them for known, qualified buyers. That’s where a buyer's agent becomes invaluable.
At Shayne Heeralall Buyers Agent, we use deep industry relationships and local knowledge to uncover and secure off-market deals for our clients before they hit the public market. This means:
Less competition
Greater negotiation power
First access to tightly held, high-performing properties
We assess each opportunity based on your strategy - whether you're focused on capital growth, rental yield, or long-term wealth creation - and only bring forward properties that align with your goals.
Whether you're a first-time investor or expanding your portfolio, accessing these exclusive opportunities can fast-track your success and reduce the stress of endless weekend inspections and bidding wars.
Final thoughts
Off-market isn’t just a buzzword - it’s a powerful investment strategy. In a market where every percentage point counts, finding the right property before the competition can significantly impact your financial outcome.
