If you’re in the market for a property, you might have heard this term. But what exactly does it mean?
At Treak we deal in off-market properties all the time, so in this blog we’ll guide you through all you need to know about off-market purchases: what they are, how to find them, and whether they’re worth searching for.
What is an off-market property?
An off-market property is one that is for sale, but that isn’t being actively advertised to the public. You won’t see off-market properties on channels and property portals like Realestate.com.au and Domain. There may not even be a 'FOR SALE' sign at the front of the property. Nevertheless, the property is definitely for sale.
Selling a property off-market is a common option when an owner needs to secure a quick sale. Perhaps this is for financial reasons, as a result of the breakup of a marriage or relationship, or as part of a deceased estate. In some cases a property will be sold off-market simply because the owner sees value in keeping the sale out of the public eye.
You might already see the benefits that you, the buyer, could enjoy if you shop for an off-market property. You’ll often be competing against fewer purchasers, which, combined with the possible urgency of the sale, may mean you secure a lower price.
But perhaps the most important benefit is that shopping off-market expands the pool of properties that you can choose from – your dream home might currently be for sale as an off-market property and you might not even know it!
How do I find off-market properties?
The increased chances of snapping up a bargain means that off-market properties can be an exciting option for owner-occupiers and investors alike. But if they aren’t advertised to the public, how exactly do you find these properties?
The answer is simple: through real estate agents.
Agents are by far the best source of off-market properties. Because they are in direct contact with their own buyers and sellers, and with other agents who have their own buyers and sellers, they can facilitate property transactions without ever needing to alert the public.
If you want to throw your hat in the off-market ring, you should get in contact with all the agents who work in the area you’re looking to buy. You should keep in regular contact with these agents, whether over the phone, on email or in-person at their office, to ensure you’re featured on as many databases as possible, to increase the likelihood that you get a call when the right property comes up.
Unfortunately this can be overwhelming for the average buyer – in a place like Sydney there might be dozens if not hundreds of agents servicing a given area. Some agents maintain a dedicated ‘off-market’ section on their website, while others might offer a weekly mailout filled with off-market opportunities, but it can be tedious and tiresome to find and sift through all this information.
Unless you choose to bring in professional help.
Using a buyer’s agent to find off-market properties
There is a better way to find off-market properties: get a professional to do the hard work for you! At Treak we are off-market experts. As experienced and well-connected buyer’s agents, we always have our finger on the pulse, working tirelessly to identify off-market listings that align with your needs and wants.
Not only do we help you find properties you wouldn’t otherwise have access to, we help you inspect, negotiate and secure your dream home too.
As part of our buyer’s agent service we assist you with all your due diligence: building and pest inspections, strata reports, development application assessments, contract reviews and the all-important negotiations. As off-market purchases are often time-sensitive, we ensure all of this is completed quickly, so you can make an informed decision sooner.
Is your perfect property currently up for sale, but not on Realestate.com.au or Domain? There’s only one way to find out: get in touch with Treak today!
Comentarios