Underquoting, Overpaying & Owning Your Value in a Moving Market

Every spring – or whenever the market shows signs of life (which it is, more on that later) – the chatter about underquoting starts up again. This year is no different.

But let’s take a step back. Buying a home is, for most people, the biggest investment they’ll ever make. And here’s the thing: there is no shortage of publicly available data to help you work out what a property is worth – yours or one you want to buy. That means you shouldn’t rely solely on an agent’s quote and be surprised when it’s wrong.

Do the work, own the number

A buyers advocate will give you expert guidance and an inside track on what’s available, before it’s even really available. But even then, you should be stress-testing their advice against your own research. Too often, I see people spend more time comparing car insurance policies than analysing property prices.

If you’re unsure where to start, focus on:

• Recent sales for similar homes in the same suburb
• Price per square metre
• Land size, house size and condition

Yes, underquoting happens – and yes, it’s frustrating – but it’s nothing new. Often, what people call “underquoting” is just a property outperforming expectations because emotion took over during the auction. That’s why knowing your numbers matters: when you’re confident about value, you’re far less likely to get swept away.

The market is on the move

Right now, phones are ringing, buyers are circling and the pace is picking up. This isn’t just about a rate drop, the momentum has been building for weeks. That means properties will start selling faster, driven by pent-up demand.

If you waited for “the right time” to buy, here’s the irony: the right time was probably when no one else was looking. But people rarely nail market timing. The smarter move? Run your own show. Buy when it’s right for you, not because the headlines say so.

What’s happening on the ground

• Investors are back: We haven’t seen this level of interest in a while, and it’s coming from Brisbane, Sydney, New York and beyond.
• Undervalued markets: Interstate and international buyers are eyeing opportunities in and around Melbourne.
• Second-home buying is quiet: Even in regional hotspots like central Victoria, most purchases are now principal residences, with buyers looking for quality over quantity.

Bottom line? Know your value before you walk into the market and you’ll navigate the noise with a clear head.

Lauren Staley

Managing Director, Infolio Property Advisors