02/06/2026
Increase In Off Market Opportunities, Here's Why
A buyers agent identifies a property, discovers the number required to stop it going to market, and then becomes frustrated when the seller won't negotiate below that figure.
The natural reaction is often:
"Surely there's a strategy, script, or negotiation tactic that can bring them down?"
The answer isn't always what people want to hear.
Because before any negotiation begins, we need to understand a fundamental truth:
Just because a seller is willing to sell, doesn't mean they're willing to sell at today's market value.
And that's where many buyers agents find themselves navigating one of the biggest challenges in today's market.
There is no magic script.
Here's the reality.
Most sellers enter the market with ambitious expectations.
With nearly 20 years in the game, I can't recall meeting a seller who didn't.
The challenge for most selling agents today isn't finding buyers, it's helping sellers become aligned with market reality. And they need to do it FAST
Often, the strongest offers arrive within the first 7-10 days of a campaign, sometimes even sooner. If a seller is still anchored to their 'hope to get' expectations during that period, they may reject the very offer they later wish they had accepted.
It's for this reason successful selling agents find ways to 'stall' campaigns to give their sellers time on the market before having to make a decision, to not miss the opportunity of losing the best buyer. The most successful method being auction
After months on the market, it's common to hear a seller ask:
"Is that buyer from week one still around?"
The answer is usually:
"Highly unlikely."
This is one of the reasons we're seeing significantly more off-market opportunities today.
Many agents are inviting buyers agents through properties before launching campaigns. They're gathering feedback, measuring interest levels, testing price expectations, and helping condition their sellers before the wider market arrives.
In many cases, the off-market phase is more about educating the seller as it is about finding a buyer.
This is why negotiating a seller away from their ambitious price before they go to market can be extremely challenging.
At this stage:
The seller has very little information or evidence to support a pricing adjustment.
They still have a clear Plan B - take the property to market.
Your negotiating power is naturally weaker.
This is where your market knowledge becomes critical.
Ask yourself:
If this property goes to market, is it likely to attract strong interest, competition, and emotional buyers?
If the answer is yes, you may want to take a second look at that ambitious number. The premium paid today could be significantly less than the premium paid when multiple buyers become emotionally invested.
If the answer is no, it may be worth allowing the property to hit the market. Let the seller experience the inspection numbers, feedback, enquiry levels, and market response. Once reality replaces expectation, your negotiating position often improves dramatically.
The key is understanding what role you're playing in the process.
Are you looking at a genuine opportunity to secure a property before the competition arrives?
Or are you simply helping the selling agent condition their seller for the upcoming campaign?
The answer can completely change your strategy.
Understanding the difference is becoming one of the most valuable skills a buyers agent can develop in today's market.
Would you like to gain a deeper understanding of how sellers and selling agents operate behind the scenes?
Speak soon,