Before you put pen to paper on an offer, ask the agent why the owner is selling. The answer, whether it is relocation, upsizing or financial pressure, often gives you a sense of how flexible the seller might be on price or settlement terms.
Ask how long the property has been on the market and whether the price has changed. A long campaign with a recent reduction tells a very different story to a fresh listing that has just gone up, and it should shape how firmly you negotiate.
Find out what has already attracted interest, including how many building and pest inspections have been booked or completed, and whether any other offers have been made. This helps you judge how much competition you are genuinely up against rather than relying on assumptions.
Ask about any known issues with the property, such as past insurance claims, flooding history or neighbour disputes, since a seller and their agent are required to disclose certain material facts under Queensland law. It is far better to raise these questions directly than to discover problems after you are contractually committed.
Finally, clarify what is included in the sale and the seller's preferred settlement timeframe. Matching your offer to the seller's practical needs, not just the price, can make your offer more attractive even when it is not the highest one on the table.
Happy to talk it through — no pressure, no sales pitch.