Off-Market Properties: Opportunity or Challenge?

Indeed, off-market listings can sometimes open doors to unique opportunities. At JL Property Buyers Agent, our established network across Melbourne gives us early access to a wide range of pre-market and off-market properties.

However, we never rush into a purchase simply because a property is labelled off-market or pre-market.
Before making any decision, we always verify two key factors:

1️⃣ Is the property truly high-quality?
2️⃣ If so, is the price justified by market evidence?

Why Sellers Choose to Go Off-Market

Sellers take the off-market route for a variety of reasons — some practical, others strategic:

• To avoid  paying advertising or marketing campaign costs.

• To test the  market quietly while aiming for a premium offer.

• To allow for a longer or more flexible settlement period.

• To sell quickly after purchasing another property, often seeking short settlement      or lease-back terms.

• To manage uncooperative tenants that make open inspections difficult.

• To sell discreetly when the property has certain flaws or requires renovation.

• In the prestige market, to maintain privacy and confidentiality.

Real Case Insights

• Ashburton Case
  A beautifully presented off-market property appeared flawless at first glance. However, our due diligence revealed that multiple nearby homes were also for sale due to a planned public housing development. Although the vendor cited a long settlement as the reason for selling off-market, the underlying motivation was clearly more complex.

• Toorak Case
  An elegant, tenant-occupied home was offered privately at a high price. We anticipated the property would return to the public market once the lease ended, and chose to wait for a more favourable moment.

• Balwyn North Case
  The vendor’s initial price expectation was far above our valuation range. When the property was later listed publicly, the market response adjusted expectations — allowing us to secure it for nearly $300,000 less than the original off-market figure.

Our View

Off-market properties can indeed present valuable opportunities — but not every one of them is worth pursuing.
The key is to look beyond the label, assess the property on its true merit, and negotiate based on evidence, not emotion.

At JL Property Buyers Agent, we combine deep market insight with independent valuation expertise to help clients recognise genuine opportunities — and avoid costly mistakes.

📧 Info@JLbuyersagent.com.au
📞 03 7018 3280