Why Buyers Agents Don’t Have Properties on Shelf for You — and Why You Shouldn’t Trust Those Who Do

“Why does it take so long to find a property?”

This is a common question we hear at InvestorKit. Our process typically takes 2 to 4 months to secure a quality property for each client. In contrast, some agencies promise instant solutions with pre-arranged, “on-shelf” properties.

But are instant solutions really the best solutions?

Let’s consider an analogy: Imagine you walk into a shop, hoping to find a thoughtful Christmas gift for a loved one. Instead of trying to understand your needs, the salesperson insists on selling you one of a few pre-selected items, claiming they’re “the best deals”. It feels wrong, doesn’t it? You wanted something meaningful and tailored to your needs, not something generic.

The same principle applies to property buying. In today’s blog, I’ll explain why a thorough process matters by breaking down how InvestorKit works and the risks of “on-shelf” properties.

How the InvestorKit Team Finds the Right Property for You

Here are the steps you’ll go through when you come on board.

Step 1: Understand Your Needs

Before diving into property searches, we take time to truly understand your goals. Once you’re on board, you’ll have a portfolio planning session with our expert Portfolio Strategists. During this session, we’ll:

• Discuss your financial goals, income, expenses, and saving habits.
• Create a roadmap for how many properties you’ll need to achieve your goals.
• Determine the best market(s) for your immediate purchase.

This step sets the foundation for finding a property tailored to your unique needs.

Step 2: Property Searching

Our Acquisition Team works tirelessly to uncover the best opportunities.

• Online searches: We check property portals like Realestate.com and Domain.com three times a day.
• Off-market opportunities: Our Property Acquisition Analysts make hundreds of calls daily to sales agents in target markets to source properties off-market.

We leave no stone unturned in finding the right property for you.

Step 3: Due Diligence Checks

Finding properties is one thing; ensuring they meet our quality standards is another. InvestorKit has strict due diligence criteria, with over 90% of properties failing our assessments. 

Some of our checks include:

a. No flood or bushfire risks

b. Not close to large-scale residential developments.

c. Not next to busy roads/rail tracks/power lines/industrial sites/cemeteries/etc.

d. Land size no less than 375sqm.

e. No swimming pools

f. No significant and unapproved alterations.

For more details, check out our blog on due diligence. 

• Some of the due diligence criteria are to maximise your capital growth, for example, points b and d above.

• Some are to minimise your holding costs, for example, points a, e and f. 

• Others are to ensure that the property is easy to lease and resell at a reasonable price, for example, point c.

Properties that pass these rigorous checks enter our property pool, ready to be matched with the right client.

Step 4: Matching with your brief and portfolio needs

Once a property has passed due diligence checks and entered our property pool, we match it to the client whose brief and portfolio needs it fits the best. This step makes the most difference in the timeframe:

• Flexible clients (broad budgets and preferences) may find a property faster.

• Clients with stricter criteria may need to wait longer due to fewer options.

Regardless of timing, quality is never compromised. This commitment is why we’ve won Buyers Agency of the Year twice in a row.

The Risks of “On-Shelf” Properties Due to Conflict of Interest

When buyer’s agents offer pre-arranged properties, it signals a conflict of interest. They’re likely working for developers or sellers, not you. 

For example, some real estate agencies work with various developers, stocking up at seemingly low prices. They may brand themselves as “free buyer’s agents” (because they don’t charge you, but the developers) and tell you that they will match you with the “best fitted” property, but in reality, they are sales agents, and how can you trust their claims of “best fit” when your choices are limited to a few pre-stocked options.

Buying “on-shelf” properties can lead to:

• Overpriced properties: Knowing that the agents will sweeten the deal with so-called “discounts” or incentives, developers often inflate prices, so “under market value” may just be a bubble.
• Misaligned goals: A pre-stocked property may not suit your portfolio needs or investment strategy. That could hurt the long-term growth of your portfolio.
• Pressure to decide quickly: Agents with “on-shelf” properties might rush you to please vendors. That would limit your time to do your due diligence.

Thoughtfulness Wins

The holiday season reminds us of the value of thoughtful giving. The best gifts are not the most expensive or flashy — they’re the ones chosen with care and consideration. 

Property investing is no different. You shouldn’t trust a buyer’s agent who offers “one-size-fits-all” properties. A true professional will take the time to understand what you need, check it twice, and ensure every recommendation thoughtfully aligns with your goals.

This Christmas, don’t settle for “on-shelf” options; give yourself the gift of tailored service. When you work with the No.1 buyer’s agency in Australia, you’re not just getting help finding a property — you’re investing in peace of mind, data-proven growth, and a brighter financial future. Book a 15-minute FREE discovery call with us today, and we’ll work together to find the investment that fits your unique needs like a glove — or a perfectly chosen Christmas stocking!