Do you really need to spend thousands on advertising to sell your apartment, unit, or villa unit? For many Victorian investment properties, the answer is frequently “no”—if you work with an agent who specialises in off-market sales and investor matching. Genneva Smarrelli explains the difference and why targeted buyer networks give owners more choice in how they sell.

Traditional On-Market Sales: The Public Approach

• Portal advertising, styling, and open homes
• Suited to owner-occupier homes or vacant/renovated stock
• Buyer pool: anyone searching public listings—often not investor-specialised
• Typical costs: $5,000–$15,000+ in advertising, styling, and marketing fees

Off-Market Sales: The Boutique Approach

• No public listings—property matched directly to pre-qualified investor buyers
• No styling or paid photography needed unless requested
• Buyer pool: investor database, buyer’s agents, known investors
• Often better at retaining tenants, less disruption, and can reduce or avoid major marketing fees

Which Option Is Right for You?

• Is your property best suited to an investor buyer? (tenanted, yield-focused, body corporate fees are a consideration)
• Is avoiding open homes and disruption for tenants a priority?
• Do you want to test buyer appetite before committing to advertising spend?

Genneva will assess each scenario and advise—honest strategy, not a one-size-fits-all “off-market only” approach.

When Public Marketing May Still Be Needed

• New projects or vacant, high-appeal, owner-occupier-focused property
• Selling in a highly competitive, top-tier market

Reducing Risk and Cost for Investment Stock

For apartments, units, and villa units with investor demand, off-market buyer matching can:

• Find a buyer with minimal upfront marketing commitment
• Protect tenant income streams
• Deliver a sale outcome without “testing the market” for weeks or months

Summary

You don’t always need to pay for major advertising to achieve an excellent result. The key is a targeted, evidence-driven strategy built for your asset-type and your priorities. Genneva Smarrelli is dedicated to helping Victorian owners do just that.