Is listing on Domain or realestate.com.au really off-market?

No. True off-market properties are never listed on Domain or realestate.com.au. Once your property appears on these platforms, the days on market clock starts ticking, and that public history can hurt your sale even if you mark it as off-market or private treaty.

What's the difference between private treaty and true off-market?

Private treaty is still publicly listed on Domain/REA with visible days on market. True off-market happens through private networks only, with no public listing history. After 60-90 days on Domain/REA, buyers assume something is wrong with the property.

Why does days on market matter?

After 90+ days listed, buyer perception shifts from opportunity to problem property, even when nothing is wrong. The public days on market counter creates stigma that damages future negotiations and reduces sale price.

What is true off-market selling?

True off-market sales happen through private networks: real estate agents sharing with trusted buyers, buyers agents presenting to pre-qualified clients, or direct seller-to-buyer connections. No public listing. No days on market counter. No stigma.

Can I try Domain/REA off-market first then go public?

This defeats the purpose. Once listed on Domain/REA, you already have public listing history. True off-market means testing the market privately first, then going public if needed, with no days on market stigma.

Domain & REA 'Off-Market' vs True Off-Market | What's the Real Difference?

What Domain & REA Call "Off-Market" (It's Really Private Treaty)

Both Domain and realestate.com.au offer "off-market" or "private treaty" listing options. They market this as a way to sell privately without the full public campaign.

But here's the catch: Your property is still publicly visible. Anyone searching these platforms can find your listing. And most importantly, the days on market counter is still running.

The Days on Market Problem

Once your property appears on Domain or realestate.com.au—even as "off-market"—the clock starts ticking:

Days 1-30: Fresh listing, buyers are interested
Days 31-60: "Still available? Let's wait and see..."
Days 61-90: "It's been a while, maybe it's overpriced"
Days 90+: "Something must be wrong with it"

Why 90+ Days on Market Kills Your Sale

After your property has been publicly listed for 90 days or more, something psychological happens to buyers. They start thinking:

"If this property has been on the market for 100 days and no one's bought it, there must be something wrong. Maybe it's overpriced. Maybe there's a structural issue. Maybe the neighbors are terrible."

Here's the irony: Often, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the property. Maybe:

The price was slightly high initially
The timing wasn't quite right
The right buyer just hasn't seen it yet
Market conditions shifted slightly

But that public listing history—that visible days on market counter—now taints every future negotiation.

The Stigma Sticks

Once buyers see "105 days on market," they smell blood in the water. They assume you're desperate. They lowball. They drag out negotiations. Your negotiating power evaporates.

And here's the worst part: Even if you take it off Domain/REA and try again later, savvy buyers and agents remember. That history follows your property.

What TRUE Off-Market Actually Means

Real off-market sales happen through private networks, and your property is never publicly listed:

Real Estate Agent Networks

Agents share properties with their trusted buyer database—serious buyers who are ready to purchase, not casual browsers.

Buyers' Agents

You share your property with buyers' agents who present it only to their pre-qualified, finance-approved clients.

Direct Private Networks

Professional connections, word-of-mouth, and platform like ours that connect sellers directly with vetted buyers.

The Result:

✅ No public listing history
✅ No "days on market" counter
✅ No stigma if it takes time to find the right buyer
✅ You maintain full negotiating power

Sell Truly Off-Market →

The Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Domain/REA "Off-Market"	True Off-Market
Publicly Listed	✅ Yes (searchable)	❌ No (private only)
Days on Market	✅ Visible to all buyers	❌ No public counter
Listing History	✅ Permanent record	❌ No public record
Buyer Stigma (90+ days)	⚠️ High risk	✅ No stigma
Cost	$200-$500+	$0 listing, 1% on sale
Buyer Quality	Mixed (browsers + serious)	Pre-qualified only

When Should You Use Domain/REA "Off-Market"?

Honestly? Almost never for sellers. But here are the rare scenarios where it might make sense:

Domain/REA Private Treaty Might Work If:

✅ You're prepared to go fully public within 30 days anyway
✅ You're testing a price and plan to drop it quickly if needed
✅ Your property is truly unique and you expect fast interest
✅ You're okay with the public listing history

But if you want genuine privacy, no stigma, and maintain negotiating power? True off-market is the only way.

The Smarter Strategy: True Off-Market First

Here's what we recommend for most sellers:

The No-Stigma Approach

1. Start True Off-Market (30-60 days)
Test the market privately through buyer networks. Get real feedback. Adjust price if needed. Zero public history.
2. If No Sale: Go Public with Confidence
Now list on Domain/REA with full marketing. You've tested the market privately, adjusted your price, and you're listing as a "fresh" property—not one that's been sitting for 90 days.
3. Best of Both Worlds
You got the benefit of private market testing without the stigma. If it sells off-market, you saved thousands. If it goes public, you're starting at "Day 0" with no baggage.

Real Example: The Cost of Days on Market

Case Study: Palm Beach Property

Scenario A: Domain "Off-Market"

Listed on Domain as "off-market" at $1.6M
60 days pass, no offers
Days on market now shows "60 days"
Buyers see this and offer $1.45M ("It's been sitting there for two months...")
Eventually sells for $1.48M after 95 days

Scenario B: True Off-Market First

Shared privately with 3 buyers' agents (60 pre-qualified buyers)
Received offer of $1.55M within 14 days
Accepted $1.57M after minor negotiation
No public listing. No stigma. Better price. Faster sale.

Difference: $90,000 more and 81 days faster

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I list on Domain/REA, then remove it and go true off-market?

You can, but the damage is done. The listing history exists. Savvy buyers and agents will know it was previously listed. You lose the "fresh property" advantage.

What if I only list for 7-14 days on Domain/REA?

Short listing periods can work, but you're still creating public history. If you're willing to test for just 7-14 days, why not test privately with zero risk first?

Don't I get more exposure on Domain/REA?

More exposure ≠ better price. You get more browsers, but not necessarily more serious, qualified buyers. True off-market connects you directly with pre-approved buyers ready to purchase.

How long should I try true off-market before going public?

We recommend 30-60 days. This gives enough time for serious buyers to see it and respond. If no sale, you can go public with confidence, knowing your price is market-tested.

What's the cost difference?

Domain/REA "off-market" costs $200-$500 for listing fees. True off-market with our platform: $0 to list, 1% commission only on successful sale (vs traditional 2.5%). Save $15,000+ on a $1M property.

Is Domain & REA "Off-Market" Really Off-Market?

Is Domain & REA 'off-market' really off-market?