Melbourne Property Insights Archive | James Buyer Advocates

Year In Review / Start or 2026 Summer Edition

“Nobody Ever Got Fired For Running An EOI – Expression of Interest”

“Nobody ever got fired for hiring IBM” was code for this. Pick the big, established name and you protect yourself. If the project falls over, you blame the brand. You were “safe.” You did what everyone else did. That thinking is now alive and well in high end Melbourne real estate. Only the badge has changed. Today, the safe corporate logo has been replaced by the big-brand agency and the three letters E O I.

Twenty+ Ratings, Thirty Visits
We rated and visited 20 plus on market homes in the last 7 days (see below) – plus a handful of off-markets (not listed publicly, but available to clients). The response to the public ratings continues to grow-and that’s affirming. Why? Because the work matters. Not the likes. The work.
You can have the best marketing plan in the world, the slickest strategy, the cleverest scripts- but if you’re not walking the streets, knocking on the quiet doors, and thinking deeply about what’s really there… you’re just shooting the breeze.

A Question of Fairness: Underquoting, Young Agents, and the Need for Context
Let me be absolutely clear from the outset: I oppose underquoting.

Sellers — James Buy-Sell Advocates: 1-2-3
1. Reality Check
Multi-agent price read, comps, and risk map. No spin before an EOI.
2. Quiet Test (7–14 days)
Controlled off-market campaign to gather real buyer data—no public damage.
3. Execute With Clarity
Sell privately at the right number or go public with a plan, not a hope.

Executive Summary

The Melbourne top-end market has shifted—four up periods in 2025.

Prices have improved, but not exploded.

Sellers who price correctly are attracting real interest.

Today’s headline clearance rate (55%) is misleading without context.

Properties that attracted at least one bidder had a 75% chance of selling.

Discover how to create a great period home renovation with smart decisions and long-term thinking for exceptional results.

Explore effective strategies for Benchmarking Great Homes for Value in the housing market and make informed decisions.

Explore how Mental Health Young Agents are shaping the future of mental health awareness and support for youth today.

Explore the Spring Market is Clearly Rising 2025M3 Results and see how A-Graders are reaching new heights in value.