How to Compare Two Sydney Properties When You Like Both and How a Buyers Agent Can Help

You’ve found two Sydney properties you really like.

Now you’ve got a problem.

Which one should you buy?

Should you choose the cheaper property? The better suburb? The renovated one? Or the property that simply feels right when you walk through the door?

When you’re stuck between two properties, it’s very easy for emotion to take over.

You start imagining yourself living there. You picture where the furniture will go. You think about renovations and what you could do with the space.

Before you know it, you’re emotionally attached.

But buying property is a major financial decision.

That’s why, when you like two properties, it is important to step back and compare them objectively before making an offer.

Don’t Just Ask Which Property You Like More

The better question is:

Which property makes more sense for me at the price I’m likely to pay?

A property can look fantastic and still be poor value.

Another property might need some cosmetic work but have a better location, floorplan or overall position.

When comparing two Sydney properties, you should look at the complete picture not just the asking price or how the property looks during an inspection.

1. Compare the Price

The first thing most buyers compare is the price.

But don’t simply compare the two advertised prices.

A property advertised for $900,000 isn’t necessarily better value than one advertised for $950,000.

You need to understand what similar properties have actually sold for.

Consider:

• Recent comparable sales
• Property size
• Land size
• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Parking
• Renovation level
• Condition
• Location
• Position
• Sale dates

The objective is to understand whether the difference in price between the two properties is justified.

Comparable Sales Matter

Selling agents are representing the vendor.

Their job is to achieve the best possible result for their client.

That means you should conduct your own research before deciding what a property is worth to you.

A proper comparison of recent comparable sales can help you enter negotiations with a much clearer understanding of the market.

2. Compare the Location

Two properties can be in the same Sydney suburb and still have completely different locations.

One could be on a quiet street while the other is on a busy road.

One could be close to public transport, shops and parks while the other requires a car for almost everything.

Look at:

• Traffic
• Noise
• Public transport
• Shops
• Schools
• Parks
• Major roads
• Employment areas
• Privacy
• Surrounding development
• Street quality

Don’t just compare the suburb name.

Compare the actual location of the property.

Ask yourself:

Which location would make my everyday life easier?

3. Compare the Floorplan

Two three-bedroom properties can be completely different in how they function.

One may have more total floor space but a poor layout.

The other may be slightly smaller but make much better use of the available space.

Look at:

• Bedroom sizes
• Bedroom separation
• Living areas
• Kitchen position
• Bathrooms
• Storage
• Laundry
• Natural light
• Privacy
• Outdoor access
• Parking
• Work-from-home space

Think beyond the inspection.

Ask:

Would this floorplan still work for me five years from now?

4. Compare the Condition

This is where the apparent price difference can become misleading.

Imagine:

Property A

$900,000

But it needs:

• Painting
• Flooring
• Kitchen updates
• Bathroom work
• Landscaping

Property B

$960,000

But it has already been renovated and requires very little immediate work.

The $60,000 difference doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story.

You need to consider the cost, time and inconvenience involved in improving Property A.

A cheaper purchase price doesn’t automatically mean a cheaper overall purchase.

5. Look at the Ongoing Costs

Your costs don’t stop when you exchange contracts.

Depending on the property, you may need to consider:

• Strata levies
• Council rates
• Water charges
• Insurance
• Maintenance
• Repairs
• Renovations
• Special levies

This is particularly important when comparing apartments, villas and townhouses.

A property with a lower purchase price can potentially have higher ongoing costs.

6. If It’s Strata, Look Beyond the Quarterly Fee

If you’re comparing two strata properties, don’t simply choose the property with the lower strata levy.

You need to understand what is happening within the building or complex.

Depending on the circumstances, investigate:

• Capital works
• Special levies
• Building maintenance
• Major upcoming works
• Building defects
• Owners corporation matters
• Insurance
• Disputes
• By-laws
• Financial position

A low strata levy doesn’t necessarily mean a building is financially healthier.

You need to understand what you’re actually buying into.

7. Don’t Ignore Due Diligence

Some of the most important information about a property isn’t visible during an inspection.

You might spend 15 or 20 minutes walking through the home and think everything looks perfect.

But there may be other matters that require investigation.

Depending on the property, these could include:

• Flood risk
• Bushfire risk
• Easements
• Planning restrictions
• Heritage considerations
• Development applications
• Building defects
• Structural concerns
• Noise
• Nearby development
• Strata issues

This is why proper due diligence matters.

The goal isn’t to find reasons not to buy.

It’s to understand what you’re buying before you commit.

8. Think About Future Resale Appeal

You may intend to live in the property for many years.

But circumstances can change.

You might eventually:

• Upgrade
• Downsize
• Relocate
• Move for work
• Sell to access equity
• Change your family circumstances

So ask:

If I needed to sell this property in five or ten years, what type of buyer would want it?

Consider:

• Location
• Land
• Parking
• Bedrooms
• Floorplan
• Outdoor space
• Privacy
• Natural light
• Transport
• Overall condition

Nobody can guarantee what a property will be worth in the future.

But you can assess the characteristics that may influence its appeal to future buyers.

9. Don’t Let Emotion Make the Decision

This is one of the biggest challenges when buying property.

You walk through the front door.

You love the kitchen.

You like the backyard.

You can picture your family living there.

And suddenly you start thinking:

“I have to have this property.”

That’s when it’s important to take a step back.

Ask yourself:

Would I still want this property if I wasn’t emotionally attached to it?

And:

Would I still pay this price after looking at the comparable sales and potential risks?

Being excited about a property is completely normal.

But excitement shouldn’t replace due diligence.

10. Remember Who Represents the Seller

When you’re negotiating with a selling agent, remember that the selling agent is working for the seller.

The vendor has a professional representing their interests.

The selling agent’s role is to negotiate on behalf of their client and achieve the best possible outcome for the vendor.

That doesn’t mean the selling agent is doing anything wrong.

It’s simply important to understand who they represent.

And that leads to an important question for buyers:

If the Seller Has a Professional on Their Side, Wouldn’t You Want One on Yours?

This is where a Buyers Agent can help.

As a Buyers Agent, my role is to represent you – the buyer.

I’m not there to sell you the property.

I’m there to help you make a considered purchasing decision.

How I Can Help You From Start to Finish

You don’t necessarily need to have no idea what you want before contacting a Buyers Agent.

You might already know the suburb.

You might already know your budget.

You might have already inspected dozens of properties.

You might even have narrowed your search down to two properties you really like.

That’s where I can help.

My role can include helping you through the process from the beginning of your property search through to negotiation and purchase.

Property Search

I can help you establish a clear purchasing brief based on your requirements, budget and priorities.

The goal is to focus your search rather than simply looking at every property that comes onto the market.

Property Research

Once a suitable property is identified, I can help investigate the property and surrounding area and identify matters that deserve further attention.

Comparable Sales

I can research relevant comparable sales and help you understand how the property compares with similar properties that have sold.

Property Assessment

I can help you look beyond the presentation and assess the property more objectively.

That includes considering:

• Location
• Layout
• Condition
• Price
• Ongoing costs
• Potential risks
• Future appeal

Due Diligence

I can help identify areas where additional due diligence may be appropriate before you commit to purchasing.

Where specialist reports or professional advice are required, the appropriate specialists should be engaged.

Negotiation Strategy

Once you’ve decided which property you want to pursue, I can help develop a negotiation strategy based on the property, comparable sales, your budget and the circumstances of the transaction.

Negotiating on Your Behalf

I can then negotiate directly with the selling agent on your behalf.

Instead of you having to negotiate against a professional who represents the vendor, you have someone representing your interests as the buyer.

My Role Is Also to Help You Keep a Level Head

A Buyers Agent isn’t just about finding properties or negotiating price.

One of the most valuable parts of having a professional on your side can be having someone who helps you remain objective when emotions start taking over.

Buying property can be exciting.

But it can also create pressure.

You may feel like:

“If I don’t buy this one, I’ll never find another.”

Or:

“I need to offer more because I don’t want to lose it.”

That’s where having an independent professional beside you can help.

My role is to help you step back, look at the evidence, understand the numbers and consider the risks before making a decision.

The objective isn’t to stop you from buying a property you love.

It’s to help you avoid making an emotional or impulsive purchase that you later regret.

You Don’t Have to Navigate the Purchase Alone

Buying property is one of the biggest financial commitments many people will make.

You don’t have to rely solely on the selling agent for information.

You don’t have to make the decision based purely on emotion.

And you don’t have to negotiate alone.

Whether you’re buying your first home, next home or an investment property, having a professional representing your interests can give you another layer of support throughout the purchasing process.

If the seller has a professional on their side…

Wouldn’t you want a professional on yours?

Someone who can help you research the property.

Someone who can help you understand comparable sales.

Someone who can help identify potential risks.

Someone who can help you keep a level head.

And someone who can negotiate on your behalf when you find the property you want.

Found Two Sydney Properties You Like?

You don’t necessarily need to start your property search again.

If you’ve narrowed your search down to two properties and you’re struggling to decide between them, I can help you compare them objectively and work through the important differences before you make an offer.

And if one of them is the right property for you, I can help you take the next step – from due diligence and strategy through to negotiation.

Truth Group

Buy Smarter. Negotiate Better.

If you’re buying property in Sydney and want a professional representing you – the buyer, get in touch with Truth Property.

Serving buyers across Sydney, including Liverpool, Bankstown, Campbelltown, Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Canterbury-Bankstown, Camden, Wollondilly, the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, North Shore, Sydney CBD and surrounding areas.