Unlocking Brisbane’s Off-Market Property Market: A Veteran Buyer’s Agent Explains Why It Matters in 2025

In Brisbane’s tight housing market, it’s not always the properties listed on realestate.com.au or Domain that offer the best value or potential. With stock levels sitting 28% below the five-year average (CoreLogic, March 2025), the spotlight is increasingly turning to off-market properties—homes that are sold discreetly without being publicly advertised.

Why Off-Market Matters More Than Ever

After more than a decade in Brisbane’s residential market, I’ve seen a significant shift in how transactions are occurring. Off-market sales once made up a niche slice of activity. In 2022, they accounted for roughly 9% of sales in Brisbane's inner suburbs. In 2025, that figure is approaching 15%—and growing.

Sellers are increasingly drawn to off-market sales for three key reasons:

• Privacy: Downsizers and prestige sellers prefer discretion, especially in blue-chip suburbs like Ascot, Paddington, and New Farm.

• Speed: Time-poor vendors often seek quick, low-fuss deals without the extended campaign.

• Testing the Waters: With fluctuating buyer sentiment, some prefer a “soft launch” before going public.

How to Tap Into the Off-Market Pipeline

As a buyer, relying solely on portals puts you at a disadvantage. Off-market deals are rarely advertised, and most require inside connections. Here’s how to access them:

• Use a buyer’s agent: With an established network, a reputable agent can surface deals before they hit the market—or even prevent them from doing so at all. At our firm, 40% of purchases in the past year were secured off-market.

• Leverage local agents: Get on the radar of sales agents and demonstrate your readiness to move quickly.

• Be specific: Vendors don’t want browsers. The more defined your criteria, the more seriously you’ll be taken when off-market opportunities arise.

Key Insight: Value Without Competition

Off-market doesn’t always mean underpriced, but it often means under-competed. That alone can result in better terms—fewer bidders, more time to inspect, and a direct negotiation with the vendor.

If you're a serious buyer in Brisbane in 2025, ignoring the off-market sector is akin to leaving 20% of opportunities untapped.