Written

For

The

Australian

-

Top

property

buying

tactics

for

savvy

investors

in

a

booming

market

Property prices are climbing, and they're not slowing down any time soon. With the government's new 5 per cent deposit scheme pumping more demand into an already tight market, and the RBA holding rates steady this week despite stubborn inflation, buyers are walking into an environment where every advantage matters.

The old saying rings true: you make your money when you buy, not when you sell. But in a hot market, buying well takes more than just showing up with pre-approval.

Here's what I've noticed the savvy investors do differently. They benchmark ruthlessly. Before making an offer, they'll build a list of comparable sales within a 2km radius over the past two years and see exactly where the property sits on the spectrum. It removes the emotion and gives you a defensible number.

They also dig for skeletons. For apartments, that means scrutinising the strata financials — sinking fund balance, upcoming special levies, red flags in the minutes. For houses, it's checking for sewer mains through the backyard or environmental zoning that could kill any future granny flat plans. And rather than relying on the written building and pest report (which is padded with disclaimers), pick up the phone. Inspectors will be far more candid verbally than they'll ever put in writing.

Understanding seller motivation is another edge. Sales driven by death, divorce or financial stress typically favour the buyer — though in this market, competition often erodes that discount.

My favourite tactic though? Use contract terms, not just price, to win. Releasing the deposit early, matching the vendor's preferred settlement period, or waiving cooling-off (with legal advice) can beat a higher offer from a less flexible buyer.

One trend worth watching — school catchments. In my local area, prices have surged simply because the local public high school's academic ranking has climbed. Families follow performance, and prices follow families.