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What Most Women Don’t Realise When Buying Property (Until It’s Too Late)

May 8, 2026 / Written by Lisa Schapiro

 

By Lisa Schapiro, Associate Director, Propertybuyer East, propertybuyer.com.au

 

A lot of the women I speak to are actually really well prepared.

They’ve been watching the market for a while. They’ve saved hard. They know what they want.

There are a few things that almost always catch people off guard, and it’s usually not until they’re already in the middle of it.

 

The first one is price.

What you see online isn’t always where things land. And in many cases, the guide is set to attract attention, not reflect the final result.

I’ve seen properties guide at one level and sell hundreds of thousands above that, which completely throws buyers who were relying on the advertised range.

 

The second is the agent.

They can be lovely, helpful, and even reassuring. But their job is to get the best possible outcome for the seller.

That shows up in small ways, like how information is shared, how urgency is created, and how competition is framed.

 

There’s also the emotional side of it.

You can feel completely rational… right up until you find a property you really like. Then suddenly there’s pressure, other buyers, and tighter timeframes.

Something else that surprises a lot of people is that not everything is online.

Some of the stronger opportunities are sold before they ever hit the main portals, through agent networks or pre-market campaigns. If you’re only relying on what you see pop up on the apps, you’re often a step behind.

 

There are definitely things you can do to protect yourself.

Look at comparable sales, not just the guide.
Set your walk-away price before you’re in the moment.
Ask direct questions, even if they feel uncomfortable.

Those alone will put you ahead of a lot of buyers. However, here’s the honest part.

Knowing all of this is one thing. Applying it when you’re standing in an auction or negotiating under pressure is something else entirely, and having someone in your corner can make a big difference.

Someone who understands how these situations actually play out, not just in theory, but in real time.

If you’re starting to think about buying and want to avoid learning these lessons the hard way, it’s worth having a conversation early.

I’m always happy to talk it through and give you a clearer sense of what to watch for.

 

Lisa Schapiro

0480 390 514

lisa.schapiro@propertybuyer.com.au

 

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