Step 5 · Set up your search and tell agents you're ready

The best properties often sell to buyers the agents already know about. Set up your alerts, then make sure the local agents know who you are.

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Chris Bates

The best properties often sell to buyers the agents already know about. Set up your alerts, then make sure the local agents know who you are.

Summer Headstart · Step 5 of 10 · Search smart

The best properties often sell to buyers the agents already know about. Set up your alerts, then make sure the local agents know who you are.

Why this matters before Christmas

Sellers listing in the next few weeks need to sell, and nobody wants to sit on the market until February. Agents will call the buyers they think are ready first. You want to be on that list.

Set up your alerts

Create saved searches on Domain and realestate.com.au for your suburbs and price band, with alerts switched on. Keep the filters a little wider than feels comfortable: a great home is sometimes one street or one bedroom outside your search.

Watch what sells, not just what's listed

Track sold prices in your suburbs each week. After a few weeks you'll know what your budget actually buys, and you'll spot a fair price quickly.

Tell agents you're ready

Call or meet two or three agents in your area. Tell them your suburbs, price band, timing and deal-breakers, and that you have finance ready. That's how you hear about properties before they're advertised.