26 Seddon St, Ivanhoe VIC 307926 Seddon St, Ivanhoe VIC 3079
What’s the best Melbourne suburb to invest in? Is it north of the river, near the Dandenongs, on the Peninsula, or somewhere out west? Finding the right pocket of the city is hard enough, let alone narrowing it down to a specific suburb–so why not lean on the advice of an industry expert!
In this case study, we’ll show you a scenario that demonstrates the real value of having an advocate in your corner.
If this is your first rodeo, the term ‘buyer’s advocate’ might be a little new and unfamiliar, so here’s a quick explainer:
The role of a buyer’s advocate is to guide you through every stage of purchasing property, from initial research to identifying the right location and handling the final settlement. These services are often quite flexible, and are available to everyone from first home buyers to investors and developers.
As a general rule, their services will include:
If you’d like to find out more, please feel free to get in touch with us and take advantage of your first free discovery call. We’re always happy to have a chat and will be able to answer any questions or queries!
Without further ado, let’s get into a recent example of how homebuyers were able to find the right Melbourne suburb with the help of an experienced buyer’s advocate.
D & X (our case study clients) are both highly successful medical practitioners with a mind to growing a diverse property portfolio with future value add prospects.
We represent many medicos and understand that they can attain debt finance with 90% LVR, and are usually appreciative of investments that limit their tax exposure during their high-income professional years (e.g. negatively geared properties are attractive).
D & X loved the central location of this property. They have friends who live in the suburb, and appreciate its vibrant nature and widespread gentrification. And, they were really enthused about the clear future development prospects on a flat block with dual street frontages.
After running some initial analyses on this property, we felt it was being seriously underquoted at $1.80m to $1.90m. We considered the market value to be about $2.1m. The agent is a genuine bloke, and over the course of a couple inspections he explained that the vendors are realistic and motivated beneficiaries of a deceased estate. They weren’t particularly looking forward to an auction. What did he think would buy it? Give me a clean offer of $2.0m on a standard settlement and he’d work to get it done.
We did just that after it had been on the market for less than 2 weeks, and managed to secure it before many interested parties even inspected it. Good opportunities like this don’t last long on the market, and D & X appreciated this fact. They’re very happy with their purchase.
Location: Northern suburbs (a vibrant suburb experiencing widespread gentrification).
Block Details: Flat, rectangular 925m² with dual street frontages.
Existing Dwelling: A tired property with character, requiring some work to make it rentable.
Purchase Price: $2.000 million.
Market Value: Estimated between $1.80 million and $1.90 million; considered underquoted compared to the market value of $2.1 million.
Sale Method: Purchased prior to auction, with a 3-month settlement period.
Rental Income: $670 per week.
Gross Rental Yield: 1.7%.
Suburb Median Prices:
Capital Growth: 7.1% per annum over the last 10 years.
Growth Drivers: Proximity to a vibrant commercial strip, transport options, and the CBD; high demand from young, affluent professionals.
Investment Rationale: The property is strategically located near High Street, offering dual frontage and clear development potential, making it an attractive investment for long-term capital appreciation.
Development Scope: Potential to build up to 8 triple-story townhouses, leveraging the dual street frontages.
Project Duration: Currently in the holding phase; planning and design stages are yet to commence.
Estimated Project Costs: $6.045 million.
Projected End Value: $7.115 million.
Estimated Profit: $1.070 million.
Return on Cash: 42%.
Return on Capital: 18%.
End Rental Yield: 4.5%.
Development Rationale: The property's location in a high-growth area with clear development precedents and dual frontages presents a compelling opportunity for townhouses.
From Buxton to the Australian Property Investor, our data is trusted by the biggest names in the real estate business. Call us now to start your journey with a knowledgeable buyer’s advocate in Melbourne.
This case study is just one example of how you could identify and secure a property in the perfect suburb; whether it's somewhere you plan to build a family, rent out, flip, or hold onto and build value via capital growth.
On the other hand, diving in headfirst without the right guidance or data will naturally increase the chances of you making a major mistake. Here’s what you might be risking without the proper knowledge and guidance.
Falling in love with a property is easy, but letting emotions drive your decision can be dangerous. Ignoring warning signs about location, structural issues, or long-term value can lead to overpaying or investing in a property that doesn’t fit your goals. A buyer’s advocate helps keep your focus on the fundamentals and long-term outcomes.
Auction fever and market hype can push buyers to pay more than a property is worth. Without properly analysing comparable sales and market data, it’s easy to get caught in the excitement and exceed your budget. An advocate provides accurate valuations and ensures offers reflect the true market value.
Choosing a home in a suburb simply because it feels familiar or convenient can be a missed opportunity. Properties in areas lacking infrastructure, local demand, or development potential may struggle to appreciate in value over time. Advocates identify suburbs with strong growth indicators so your investment works for you.
Land constraints, zoning restrictions, and planning permits can all impact what can be built, renovated, or extended. Overlooking these factors can result in unexpected costs or limitations on future development. A buyer’s advocate ensures every property is thoroughly vetted before you commit.
The property market is competitive, and seasoned investors or developers often move quickly. Going in unprepared can mean missing out on prime opportunities or overpaying under pressure. An advocate gives you the edge by strategising offers, negotiating confidently, and ensuring you are ready to act at the right moment.
The good news? With the help of one of our highly knowledgeable buyer’s advocates in Melbourne, these mistakes can be avoided, giving you confidence and peace of mind throughout your property journey.
Property Analytics provides independent property research and buyer advocacy services across Melbourne. Our work is trusted by CoreLogic, ABS, RBA, Land Checker, Price Finder, Buxton, Jellis Craig, Barry Plant, and the Australian Property Investor. These partnerships reflect that our analysis is relied upon by professionals who make real-world decisions.
We help investors and homebuyers identify and secure properties with strong growth potential. By combining economic modelling, spatial analysis, and local market knowledge, we provide advice that is practical, clear, and backed by more than 15 years of experience.
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, investor, or developer, having an experienced advocate in your corner is crucial. We guide clients through auctions, negotiations, and planning hurdles, making sure that every opportunity is considered with careful analysis.
By working with Property Analytics, you’ll gain:
From identifying opportunities to securing the purchase, our team will ensure that every single step is handled professionally and efficiently. Call us now to chat with the leading buyer’s advocates in Melbourne.
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