31/08/2026
THE PROPERTY ESTIMATE SAYS $1.6M.
IT SELLS FOR $1.48M.
Another property is estimated at $920K.
It sells for $995K.
So which number should a buyer trust?
The answer: neither on its own.
An online valuation is an estimate based on data. The market price is determined by what genuine buyers are prepared to pay at that point in time.
This is where the real analysis starts.
LOCATION drives demand.
The right location attracts more buyers.
DEMAND drives competition.
More genuine buyers can push the price higher.
BUYER MOTIVATION drives behaviour.
A highly motivated buyer may stretch further than others.
COMPARABLE SALES establish the evidence.
Recent, relevant sales tell us what buyers have actually paid, not what someone hopes to achieve.
COMPETITION determines the negotiation environment.
Knowing how many serious buyers are competing can completely change your offer strategy.
That is why I don’t determine an offer by simply looking at an online estimate.
I look at:
• Location and micro-location
• Recent comparable sales
• Property fundamentals
• Current buyer demand
• Competition
• Vendor motivation
• Market conditions
• Your maximum walk-away price
The goal isn’t to make the highest offer.
The goal is to make the right offer, based on evidence, strategy and risk.
Because buying property isn’t about guessing the price.
It’s about understanding what is driving the price.
If you’re unsure what you should offer on a property, let’s talk before you make the offer.
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