How to Spot an Underquoted Property in Sydney
If you’ve been searching for property in Sydney for more than five minutes, chances are you’ve seen it: a home listed with a price guide that seems… optimistic. It looks like a great deal, until auction day, when it sells for hundreds of thousands more.
This is what underquoting looks like. And while there are regulations in place, it’s still a frustratingly common experience for buyers. But there are ways to spot it early and avoid wasting time, energy, and weekends chasing a property that was never in your budget.
Here’s what to watch for.
Image: Greg Rivers
1. The Price Guide Feels Too Good to Be True
If a property looks significantly cheaper than other similar listings in the area, there’s a reason. Some agents may use a low guide to increase foot traffic and interest, knowing full well the property is unlikely to sell anywhere near that number.
Tip: Don’t rely solely on the advertised price. Look at comparable sales from the past 3–6 months. If a near-identical home sold for $2.2M and this one is guided at $1.85M… question it.
2. There’s Been a Sudden Mid-Campaign Price Lift
If you’re watching a campaign and see the guide increase significantly midway through, it’s often because early buyer interest indicated the original price was far too low.
This is frustrating for buyers who thought they were in the running, only to be priced out before auction day.
3. The Selling Agent Is Vague About Value
If you ask the agent for a more realistic expectation and get something along the lines of “we’re waiting to see what the market says,” be cautious. While that language is technically safe, it often signals a gap between the price guide and vendor expectations.
Tip: Ask more direct questions. Have there been offers? What price would buy it today? How does this compare to recent sales nearby?
4. The Campaign Is Attracting Way Too Many Buyers
Sometimes the level of competition is the clue. If 70 groups are turning up to every open home and the agent is fielding calls non-stop, there’s a good chance the guide is low and being used to create buzz.
This can lead to a feeding frenzy at auction… and a final price well above your expectations.
Why Underquoting Hurts Buyers
Underquoting doesn’t just waste your Saturday. It can:
Create emotional disappointment when you fall in love with a property you can’t afford
Drain time and energy chasing listings that were never realistic
Push you to increase your budget under pressure, just to compete
And in some cases, it discourages smart, serious buyers from even participating, leaving the playing field to those who overpay.
How a Sydney-Based Buyers Agent Can Help
At The Acquiry, we’ve seen this play out too many times, and we know how to read between the lines. We dig into sales data, speak directly with agents, and apply years of experience to assess a property’s true market value, not just what’s listed online.
And when the pricing isn’t transparent, we do the work to uncover where the opportunity really is, and when it’s time to walk away.
Tired of Wasting Time on Misleading Listings?
We don’t believe you should need a detective’s mindset to buy a home. If you’re looking for clear advice, sharp strategy, and someone to call out the underquoting for what it is, we’re here to help.
“Reach out to The Acquiry for expert guidance from a Sydney-based buyer’s agent who knows how to spot value and avoid the traps.”