What is an off-market property? The pros and cons of off-market real estate

Thinking about buying or selling a property off-market? Off-market properties are properties for sale that aren’t advertised to the public.

What is an off-market property? The pros and cons of off-market real estate

Thinking about buying or selling a property off-market? off-market properties are properties for sale that aren’t advertised to the public.

They offer benefits - like privacy for vendors, and potential savings buyers - alongside some drawbacks. Here’s everything you need to know about off-market real estate.

What is an off-market property?

An off-market property is a property that has not yet been marketed to the public. It is effectively a pre-sale reliant on real estate agents and word of mouth instead of major real estate platforms.

Off-market properties can be harder to find for buyers, who will need to work with multiple buyer agents.

The low-profile nature of the sale may appeal to high-profile people. Off-market sales are also referred to as silent sales or hidden listings.

Thinking about buying an off-market property? Speak to a UNO broker today.

Pros and cons of an off-market property

Whether it’s better to buy off-market remains debatable, according to Soho.

Nosy neighbours? Off-market listings can offer privacy. This makes them appealing to high-profile people or landlords with tenants.

Avoiding the masses can also be an effective way to filter out uninvolved buyers who could potentially waste one’s time.

Off-market real estate sales generally move faster, potentially saving on marketing costs as there isn’t a lengthy marketing campaign attached to the sale.

There are some drawbacks, though. Because the property isn’t on the open market, it may not attract the highest price possible.

Off-market properties sell for 2.6% less than listed properties, according to a PropTrack Report. This equates to $18,200 on a house valued at $700,000. Whether this is a loss or gain depends on if you’re talking to the buyer or vendor.

Homebuyers seeking to make a strictly off-market purchase will also need patience as stock can be harder to find.

Is searching for houses off-market exclusively a good idea?

Only looking at off-market houses for sale may be appealing to buyers in competitive markets due to the potential savings a vendor might offer in exchange for a quick sale.

Markets are slowing, though. The cash rate sits at a 10-year high of 3.1%. Meanwhile, auction clearance rates in the September quarter are down to 54.4% - a 15% decrease from the year prior - according to CoreLogic.

The sense of urgency associated with off-market real estate may not be worth the risk, particularly for first-time buyers.

Real estate is potentially the biggest purchase you will make in your life. It should not be taken lightly nor rushed.

Read more: A guide to buying your first home.

A step-by-step guide to buying an off-market property

  • Calculate how much you can borrow with UNO’s borrowing power calculator
  • Submit paperwork to gain pre-approval for a mortgage
  • Contact local buyer’s agents in the area you want to buy
  • Wait for the ideal off-market property to come along
  • Make an offer and settle
Sources
soho.com.au/articles/whats-an-off-market-propertywww.canstar.com.au/home-loans/off-market-property/www.afr.com/wealth/personal-finance/secret-property-deals-surge-as-residential-market-slows-20220303-p5a1d0www.corelogic.com.au/our-data/auction-resultsrea3.irmau.com/site/PDF/5fa9fa3c-0e63-4099-a3cf-32d867d9f1a3/PropTrackOffMarketSalesPerformanceReport2021unsplash.com/@rwlinder


5 stars for our service reviews from clients

Book Call Now

UNO home loans

Try Plans, by UNO
Mortgage calculators completely reimagined
Get Started
Considering a purchase or refinance?

Try Plans by UNO

Mortgage calculators completely reimagined
Get Started
☎️ 🚫 No cold call promise

Related Articles

TESTIMONIALS

What our customers are saying

Kathryn Cretney
November 14, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul helped us from day one before we even arrived in Australia so we knew exactly what we needed to prepare. He’s got a tonne of knowledge and was really lovely and supportive to deal with. Helpful and easy going. Would highly recommend - now in our first Aussie home and Paul made the process all very easy!
Read more
Sean O'Neill
November 14, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
We received excellent service and a tailored solution to our home loan requirements from Uno. Paul kept us informed at all milestone stages and throughout the process he demonstrated a ‘can do’ attitude that ultimately allowed us to get over the line and meet our deadline. We’re most grateful and very impressed. Highly recommend
Read more
Crush Huston
November 8, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul is an amazing broker. Communicative, responsive and knows his stuff! Highly recommend
Read more
Amanda Pearce
November 7, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
After just four months in Australia, our New Zealand home sold, prompting us to stop renting and invest locally. We found Paul through a Kiwi Facebook group, and his exceptional service exceeded our expectations. From initial contact, Paul provided clear explanations, friendly communication, and prompt responses to our queries, making our mortgage process remarkably smooth. We highly recommend him.
Read more
Dom Saric
November 3, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons went above and beyond to ensure that our refinancing journey was painless and successful. He was communicative, accessible (even working while on holidays!), and his knowledge of the systems at play meant that he picked up on things that other brokers missed. Would 100% recommend Mike, and will definitely be back next time we need a broker.
Read more
Ashleigh Breaden
October 31, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons handled our refinance of our home loan with ease and a depth of knowledge that ensured we got the best deal possible for our situation. We didn't have an easy one to solve for with my husband being self employed and we were consolidating finances as well for a car loan. But Mike handled it all for us and once we had provided him with all the documents we literally didn't have to do a thing after that, it was so easy and so quick we are super happy with the experience! Top notch! Highly recommend!!
Read more
Kyle Richards
October 10, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Absolute legend, helped me through the first home buyers scheme, explained everything in a way that made sense, was very knowledgeable and a joy to work with.
Read more
Chloe S
October 8, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons made it possible for us and the in laws to get 2 pretty complicated home loans. He helped us through everything and we'd be happy to use Mike and the team again for anything we needed. Thanks again!
Read more
Sam Rezai
October 2, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
I have gone through 6 different mortgage brokers prior to meeting Andrew Wyers. He is the most patient mortgage broker I’ve encountered and also the most knowledgable about the bank’s lending process and products available. It took me 1 year to find a house I was happy with and Andrew was always there to assist with any issues or questions I had; he always return my phone call, even on the weekends or when his away on holidays. The loan process was smooth and I had no complications. The process with Andrew was again nice and easy, he took the time to find and put together the right package that was suited to my situation. I have recommended Andrew to my family & friends and everyone have been grateful and completely satisfied with his service.
Read more
S Wilko
September 23, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
I had not dealt with Scott or UNO before finding them on the internet. Even as an Australian citizen living and working overseas, I knew obtaining a loan would be difficult. However, Scott went above and beyond what I expected from a mortgage broker. I genuinely don’t think you could find another company that works as hard as they did to get my home loan approved. I cannot recommend them highly enough. Everyone I dealt with at UNO were extremely professional and helpful. If you are looking for a broker, you would be mad not to give them a go. Thanks to Scott Wilkinson, Dalby Bajwa, Jena Lasquite and Andrew Pacini. Shaun.
Read more
Shan Liao
September 3, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
I had an outstanding experience with Tian Liu. He was incredibly professional and attentive, going above and beyond to meet my needs. His expertise and dedication made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Tian's deep knowledge of the market and commitment to finding the best solutions for his clients truly sets him apart. He was always available to answer my questions and provided invaluable guidance throughout. I highly recommend Tian Liu to anyone in need of a reliable and skilled broker!"
Read more
Nathanael Chin
September 3, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Tian Liu provided exceptional service throughout the entire process. His professionalism and keen attention to detail were evident from the start. Tian consistently kept us informed and offered insightful advice that made us feel confident in our decisions. He truly cares about his clients and works tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcome. We couldn't be happier with his assistance and highly recommend Tian to anyone looking for a trustworthy and knowledgeable broker.
Read more