Vendors to leverage off-market listings

“We’re seeing a clear shift in seller behaviour, with more vendors looking for lower-cost ways to transact,” Burd said.

“Off-market selling is becoming the first step rather than a last resort.”

He said the shock from the budget decisions had created a moment of recalibration across the market, forcing buyers and sellers to rethink their approach.

According to Burd, the shift in sentiment was evident in declining clearance rates across the nation’s capitals.

“When confidence softens, people naturally gravitate toward simpler, safer pathways that reduce risk and give them faster feedback,” Burd said.

“That’s why we’re seeing more vendors test the waters off-market first, because it reduces cost and gives them clarity before committing to a full advertising campaign.”

Similarly, PH Property sales agent Chevez Evans said the shift in strategy was not exclusively restricted to the capital cities, with more vendors in his local Bendigo market opting to utilise an off-market approach first.

With vendors having to pay thousands to access major sales portals and then spend additional funds on digital marketing, Evans said they had started to see the value of an off-market sale.

“By going off-market first, vendors can save $3,000 to $4,000 straight away in our region,” Evans said

“Four grand is a lot of money for someone. If you can have more money in your pocket, it’s a win-win.”

Burd said the increase in off-market opportunities across the nation reflected the growing trend among vendors seeking to maximise their sales results.

“The shift toward off-market isn’t a blip – it’s becoming part of how buyers and sellers prefer to transact. Early access to opportunities gives them a clearer read on the market and a faster path to a decision.”

“Buyers and sellers are looking beyond the traditional portals, and that shift is happening faster than many expected,” Burd concluded.

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