Independent Property Buyers-Buyers Agent & Property Management Services

Independent Property Buyers-Buyers Agent & Property Management Services Property investors and buyers across Melbourne partner with IPB. Why? Where smart buyers come to buy

Because we provide a personalised, hands-on service and have the experience, expertise and market connections that let them buy, manage and sell smarter.

10/09/2026

Borderless Versus Local Advocates.

26/08/2026

Get out there and hustle if you’re looking to buy real estate

For almost 12 months, I'd been speaking with a prospective client who had enquired about our property buying services bu...
01/07/2026

For almost 12 months, I'd been speaking with a prospective client who had enquired about our property buying services but hadn't yet engaged us.
Then, out of the blue, they called asking if I was available to represent them at an auction that weekend. They admitted they didn't feel confident bidding on their own.
Unfortunately, I wasn't available, but I asked them to send me the property address so I could at least have a look and offer some advice.
Within seconds of looking at the photos, my attention was drawn to two significant cracks in the front brickwork.
My first question was, "Have you had a building inspection?"
"No. Why?" was the reply.
I explained that the cracking appeared consistent with a potentially significant structural issue that could require underpinning or some form of ground stabilisation. While I couldn't diagnose the problem from photos alone, it certainly warranted further investigation before they committed to buying.
By that stage, it was too late to arrange their own building inspection before auction day, so I suggested they contact the selling agent to see whether another prospective purchaser had commissioned a report that could be purchased.
They did exactly that.
Interestingly, the report concluded there were no major structural concerns despite the visible cracking. It wasn't prepared by one of our preferred inspectors, but ultimately the buyers were comfortable proceeding with the purchase. I reassured them that even if structural work was eventually required, these types of issues can usually be rectified—the important question is not whether they can be fixed, but what the cost will be.
This experience reinforced something I often tell clients: a good buyer's advocate should be able to identify potential red flags during a visual inspection and know when to recommend further investigation before a purchase.
After 32 years in the property industry and 22 years as a buyer's advocate, I've learnt that this role extends well beyond simply finding and negotiating property.
On any given day, I'm drawing on knowledge from building inspectors, solicitors, conveyancers, mortgage brokers and financial planners to help clients make informed decisions.
Buying property is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. Sometimes our job is helping clients seize an opportunity. Just as importantly, it's knowing when to slow down, ask more questions, or walk away altogether.
That's where experience makes all the difference.

The third photo is of the front unit in the development taken from the building inspection report indicating there is definitely something wrong structurally. It also pays to get the right building inspector on the job.

Sometimes the perfect property isn't the one that ticks every box on paper—it's the one that delivers the lifestyle that...
30/06/2026

Sometimes the perfect property isn't the one that ticks every box on paper—it's the one that delivers the lifestyle that matters most.
Our latest clients, a mother and her adult daughter, had sold their home in Sydney and had just 60 days to purchase and settle on a property in the Geelong region.
Fortunately, we'd been working with them before their Sydney home sold, so we already had a detailed understanding of their brief and had completed our market research.
They initially suggested a budget of $900,000. Based on their requirements and our knowledge of the Geelong market, our advice was that they would need to increase their budget to between $1 million and $1.1 million to secure a property that truly met their needs.
As soon as their sale became unconditional, they engaged us. Within two days we were on the ground in Geelong inspecting suitable properties.
Their priorities were clear:
• Move closer to their other daughter and her family in Werribee.
• Be within walking distance of shops and public transport, as one of them doesn't drive.
• Purchase a home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a walk-in robe to the main bedroom.
•Low maintenance garden and north facing rear yard for natural light.
• Find a property they could move straight into without undertaking major renovations.
The stars aligned with this one.
The home had been comprehensively renovated from the ground up just three years ago, so it presented beautifully and required no immediate work. While the layout wasn't an exact match for the brief, it offered more accommodation than they needed. The adjoining room to the main bedroom can easily be converted into a walk-in robe and ensuite, while the oversized second living area can be reconfigured to create the third bedroom.
The purchase ended up being $130,000 under budget which means they can easily afford the renovations.
Most importantly, the location was simply too good to ignore.
✔ Just a 450-metre walk to the vibrant Pakington Street shopping precinct and Pakington Strand shopping centre.
✔ Approximately 1.1 kilometre walk to Geelong Station.
✔ A bus stop just three houses away for those wet-weather days.
✔ Positioned in Geelong West on the city side of Geelong, making regular trips to Werribee to visit family much easier by avoiding the Geelong C*D.
In the end, our clients decided that making a few internal alterations was a small compromise to secure a location that perfectly suited their long-term lifestyle.
Best of all, we secured the property just eight days after being formally engaged, giving our clients plenty of time to focus on packing and preparing for their move rather than worrying about finding a home before settlement.
Finding the right property isn't always about ticking every box from day one. Sometimes it's about recognising opportunities and understanding which compromises will add value to your lifestyle for years to come.

We were recently referred a lovely family by an interstate buyer's advocate to assist with the purchase of a property in...
29/06/2026

We were recently referred a lovely family by an interstate buyer's advocate to assist with the purchase of a property in Melbourne for their daughter.
Before engaging us, their challenge was securing property when there was competition. They had missed three properties and were becoming increasingly frustrated with the buying process.
The first property turned out to be far more complicated than expected. It was a divorce where one party was ready to sell, while the other couldn't come to terms with selling.
Following the auction, our clients continued increasing their offer despite there being no competing buyers. They wanted it and were prepared to stretch well beyond what I believed represented fair market value.
In the end, no amount of money could convince one of the owners to sell, and the property was withdrawn.
At the time it was disappointing, but I believe they dodged a bullet.
Not because it wasn't a good property—it certainly had its merits, although it was a little undersized—but because they were about to pay considerably more than the property was worth without any competitive pressure to justify the price.
Fortunately, we had already identified another property the previous week and recommended it to them. It was only a couple of kilometres away in a neighbouring suburb but offered significantly better value. It was larger, had a double garage and enjoyed a full northern orientation—one of the clients' key requirements.
After completing our research and due diligence, the clients agreed it was an excellent fit.
Rather than waiting for auction day, we recommended making a strong pre-auction offer. The open inspections were attracting plenty of downsizers, who are often difficult buyers to compete against given they've usually sold a family home and have substantial buying power.
Our strategy was simple: move before the competition had a chance to build.
We submitted an offer that was strong enough to capture the vendors' attention and encourage them to bring the auction forward, while still leaving room to negotiate if required.
An early auction was called, attracting three other bidders.
Despite the competition, we secured the property for well below what our clients had been prepared to pay for the previous home.
In the end, they purchased a much larger property with a double garage, the ideal northern orientation and a far better long-term outcome—all for less money.
One of the biggest lessons from this purchase is that a successful property search should never revolve around a single property.
As buyer's advocates, we treat every search like a full-time job. We're constantly sourcing opportunities, researching alternatives and staying several steps ahead. That way, if one property doesn't work out, our clients already have another strong option ready to pursue.
When clients know there's always another opportunity around the corner, disappointment turns into confidence—and that's often what leads to the best buying decisions.

We recently assisted our clients in securing this outstanding investment property through their SMSF.Since 2006, we've b...
05/06/2026

We recently assisted our clients in securing this outstanding investment property through their SMSF.
Since 2006, we've been actively acquiring inner-city townhouses close to Melbourne's C*D, and one property type has consistently outperformed the rest: well-located three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouses. Time and again, they have delivered some of the strongest capital growth and rental returns in the market.
For this purchase, our clients had a budget range of $800,000 to $1 million. Based on our research and auction strategy, we set a maximum bidding limit of $951,000. We anticipated strong competition from first-home buyers utilising the government's Home Guarantee Scheme, where purchase price caps effectively created a natural ceiling around the $950,000 mark.
With a clear plan and disciplined ex*****on, we secured the property with our final bid of $951,000.
Why do properties like this perform so well?
The answer is simple: they appeal to both investors and owner-occupiers. While rental returns are important, long-term capital growth is typically driven by owner-occupier demand. Properties that attract families and owner-occupiers create deeper buyer competition, which supports stronger price growth over time.
By comparison, many one and two-bedroom apartments appeal primarily to investors. When resale time comes, buyers often focus solely on rental yield and return on investment, which can limit capital growth and reduce buyer demand.
When purchasing an investment property, the exit strategy should be just as important as the entry strategy. Future resale appeal should always form part of the decision-making process.
If you're aiming for above-average investment performance, you need to buy above-average assets. Quality properties generally require a higher initial investment, but they are often the ones that deliver superior long-term results.
What attracted us to this property?
• Walking distance to two shopping centres
• Excellent public transport access
• Close to Walter Reserve, parklands and sporting facilities
• Easy access to the Maribyrnong River and its walking and cycling trails
• Ascot Vale Leisure Centre
• Minutes from Flemington Racecourse
• Surrounded by quality cafes, restaurants and local pubs
• Approximately 7km from Melbourne's C*D

Location, lifestyle and strong owner-occupier appeal make this the type of asset we believe can continue to outperform over the long term.
If you're looking for sound, evidence-based property investment ad

It was a lot of fun helping these two lovely people purchase their forever home in Coburg. It took a little longer than ...
28/05/2026

It was a lot of fun helping these two lovely people purchase their forever home in Coburg. It took a little longer than normal but that's a testament to the popularity of the Coburg, Pascoe Vale South and Brunswick West areas. We faced a lot of competition from other young families who had also been looking for a while and fed up with being beaten. This property doesn't currently have parking on site which was part of the brief but there is room at the front and a ROW at rear where this can be easily created. We feel this may have turned a few buyers off that couldn't see past it and allowed us to purchase the property at a better price than we thought we could.
Get in touch for a chat if you're sick and tired of looking at real estate and would like some independent, trusted and strategic property advice to help your secure your next home.

Floorplan and size can often matter more than how close a property is to the C*D. Recently, clients came to us looking t...
14/05/2026

Floorplan and size can often matter more than how close a property is to the C*D. Recently, clients came to us looking to buy their first home — a villa unit — with their hearts set on Brunswick West. We showed them options in that area, then expanded the search to nearby suburbs that still offered easy public transport access to the C*D and great lifestyle amenities.
They quickly saw the benefits of looking just a little further out: larger homes, more land, and the added bonus of a lock‑up garage. We presented what we believed would be a stronger long‑term solution — a property that better suited their lifestyle now and offered greater investment potential.
Below, you can see the contrast between a smaller, closer‑in villa unit and a more spacious, better‑valued alternative only a few kilometres further out, with minimal impact on their budget.

12/05/2026

We recently had the pleasure of helping some lovely first-home buyers secure this fantastic villa unit.
Their mortgage broker referred them to us, feeling they would benefit from some guidance navigating the market — particularly given our extensive experience throughout Melbourne’s inner north.
During our initial meeting, we uncovered that while they had a maximum budget of $750,000, their comfort zone was closer to $650,000, with perhaps $680,000 at a stretch. We took the time to show them what that budget was achieving closer to the city — often very small homes where you walked straight into the lounge room, with compact kitchens and bathrooms, and sometimes not even a proper car space.
We then introduced them to a few neighbouring suburbs where their budget could secure a much larger and more functional home, complete with entrance halls, larger living spaces, better parking and an overall more relaxed feel — a property that would also offer them greater longevity.
Based on the market, we suggested that stretching slightly to around $700,000 would open the door to a home they would genuinely enjoy living in for years to come.
To their credit, our clients did their own research into the areas we suggested and came back excited and confident with the direction.
After just 36 days of searching, we secured this little gem on the Preston side of Reservoir — or “Preservoir” as we like to call it — for only $705,000.
A fantastic result and an exciting start to their property journey.

In 2016, we were engaged as vendor advocates to assist a couple selling their investment property in Toorak before reloc...
07/05/2026

In 2016, we were engaged as vendor advocates to assist a couple selling their investment property in Toorak before relocating overseas for work. We achieved a strong result for our clients, with the final sale price exceeding the reserve well beyond expectations.
While our clients were overseas, we also managed their Hawthorn East property until they returned home and began growing their family. A second overseas posting soon followed, and upon their recent return — now with a larger family — they decided it was time to relocate to a more suitable property on the Peninsula.
Once again, they entrusted us as their vendor advocates to bring their much-loved first home to market. The result was another outstanding success, achieving $175,000 above reserve.
The campaign attracted solid interest throughout, although there was little indication of where buyer competition might land on auction day. We were confident the property would sell strongly — but exactly how strongly, nobody could predict.
After 22 years working as buyers and vendor advocates, we’re proud to maintain a 100% success rate with our vendor advocacy service. It’s no coincidence. As buyer advocates, we work with local agents every single day, giving us a unique understanding of who consistently delivers the best results in each market.
That level of immersion allows us to make informed strategic decisions on behalf of our clients — and ultimately achieve exceptional outcomes.

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