Buying on the Northern Beaches is tough enough when you can get to every open home. Our clients were doing it from overseas, and they still secured an off-market home in Collaroy Plateau that they never thought they could afford.
Here’s how our local buyers agents, Liliana O’Toole and Brooke Wilson guided them through the process and where PMC added value along the way.
What our clients were looking for
Our clients came to us with a clear brief. They wanted a three-bedroom home with a dedicated work from home space, a child-friendly yard with a pool or room to add one, and a home they could eventually put their own touch on.
Their plan was to end up on the Northern Beaches near family in the next few years, so the right location was always going to matter.
Why they came back to PMC
This wasn’t our first time working with these clients. We had previously helped them buy an investment property in Brisbane, so when they decided it was time to look at the Northern Beaches, they got in touch with us again.
They had been searching for less than three months when they engaged PMC.
The challenge of searching from overseas
Being overseas meant our clients couldn’t get to inspections or open homes like everyone else could. In a competitive market, that can leave you feeling a step behind before you’ve even started.
That’s where having someone on the ground makes all the difference.
When the brief evolved
As the search went on, the brief shifted. Our clients started out open to unrenovated homes and a few different locations. After seeing what was out there, it became clear that what they really wanted was a renovated home in a superior location.
That meant increasing their budget. Having been shown a range of properties, they could see for themselves what it would take to buy the home they really wanted.
Finding the right home off market
We found an off-market opportunity in Collaroy Plateau, and no one else was in the running for it. It was in a prime spot, and location was one of the main things on our clients’ list. It suited the rest of their brief too.
The biggest hurdle was getting our clients to Sydney to see the home before it launched to the market. So we had open and honest conversations with the selling agent. We explained that we needed time to send the clients through a video and for a family member to come and have a look, and we helped the agent prepare their vendor for the time we needed.
How PMC added value
This purchase came together because of a few things that Liliana and the PMC team did along the way:
- Access to an off-market home. We found an off-market opportunity, which gave our clients the chance to buy before the home ever hit the market.
- Eyes and ears on the ground. Liliana and Brooke worked directly with the agent to buy our clients the time they needed, so they could see the home properly even though they were overseas.
- Price context from real examples. We used other properties we had inspected to give the agent context to share with their vendor around price.
- A well-informed buyer. After working with us for a few months and seeing so many properties, our clients understood pricing and could make decisions with confidence.
- Trust in the process. They put their full trust in us and felt very confident that we knew their brief.
The result
Our clients purchased a home they never thought they could afford, and it was better than the other properties they had seen in the past. It’s exactly the style and location they wanted.
When they found out it was theirs, they were over the moon. They can’t wait to move back home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an off-market property?
An off-market property is a home that is available for sale but has not been publicly advertised on real estate websites. Buyers may be able to access these opportunities through a buyer’s agent with established relationships with local selling agents.
How did PMC help the clients buy a home in Collaroy Plateau from overseas?
PMC’s Northern Beaches team sourced an off-market property that matched the clients’ brief and worked with the selling agent to allow time for the clients to review the home remotely and arrange for a family member to inspect it in person before making a decision.
Can a buyer’s agent help me buy property if I live overseas?
Yes. A buyer’s agent can manage property research, attend inspections, provide video walkthroughs, assess properties and negotiate on your behalf. This can be particularly valuable when you cannot attend open homes in person or need to make decisions from another time zone.
Are off-market properties cheaper than properties advertised publicly?
Not necessarily. An off-market property may offer less competition from other buyers, but its value still depends on the location, condition and current market. A buyer’s agent can assess comparable sales and market conditions to help determine an appropriate price before negotiating.
How do buyer’s agents find off-market properties on the Northern Beaches?
Buyer’s agents build relationships with local selling agents to learn about properties that may be available before they are publicly listed. Understanding a client’s brief and maintaining these relationships can help uncover opportunities that suit their needs.
Why is local knowledge important when buying in Collaroy Plateau?
Local knowledge helps buyers assess more than just the property itself. Understanding street locations, surrounding amenities, school catchments, transport and comparable sales can help buyers make a more informed decision about whether a home suits their lifestyle and budget.
How can PMC help me buy a property on the Northern Beaches?
PMC provides independent buyer representation, helping clients source suitable properties, assess market value, conduct due diligence and negotiate the purchase. The team can assist with on-market, pre-market and off-market opportunities across Collaroy Plateau and the wider Northern Beaches.
“We had such a great experience with PMC – specifically Mike, Brooke and Matt who genuinely had our best interests at heart the entire time – for what was a year-long journey. They did not miss a beat, and it was clear from the get-go how connected they were in the industry. This ultimately propelled us forward to give us the best possible chance to secure a home. In a changing market, their expert knowledge was so valuable, and never at any point did they try and push us in a direction we didn’t want to go, as they had taken the time to understand us, our needs as a family and our property goals. In a strange way, it’s bittersweet. We’ve secured the home we’ve always dreamed of, but at the time will miss all of the interesting twists and turns we went on together. All in all – they are great people who genuinely care about your success, which made such a long journey in finding a home so enjoyable and exciting for us. Thank you Team!!!”
Thinking about buying on the Northern Beaches?
If you’re living overseas and dreaming of a move to the Northern Beaches, we’d love to help. Get in touch with our team of Northern Beaches buyers agents at enquiry@pmcproperty.com.au and we’ll talk you through your options.