Should I Accept the First Offer or Hold Out for More in Brisbane City?
Should I Accept the First Offer or Hold Out for More in Brisbane City?
Selling property in Brisbane City is very different to selling in suburban Brisbane or coastal markets. This is a high-density, investor-heavy, CBD-driven market, shaped by apartments, infrastructure, employment hubs, and interstate and overseas buyer activity.
So when the first offer arrives, many Brisbane City sellers ask the same question:
Should I accept the first offer, or wait and hope a stronger one comes along?
This article breaks the decision down using Brisbane City–specific logic, in plain English, without generic advice that doesn’t fit a CBD market.
Why the First Offer in Brisbane City Needs Careful Interpretation
In Brisbane City, first offers can come from very different buyer profiles:
Investors analysing yield, vacancy rates, and body corporate costs
Owner-occupiers wanting city convenience and walkability
Interstate buyers acting quickly on limited inspections
Overseas buyers working within strict criteria
Because of this mix, a first offer might be:
A genuine market-level offer
A cautious investor entry point
A test of seller expectations
The key question isn’t how fast the offer arrives—it’s who it’s from and what they’re buying.
Brisbane City Prices: What the Market Looks Like
Prices in Brisbane City vary significantly by building age, location, view, and body corporate structure. As a general guide:
Median house price: limited data due to very low supply, generally well above $2 million
Median unit / apartment price: roughly in the mid-$600,000s
Premium river-view apartments, newer towers, and boutique buildings can sell well above this, while older high-density stock or buildings with high body corporate fees may sit below. In Brisbane City, building-specific comparisons matter far more than suburb averages.
When Accepting the First Offer Often Makes Sense in Brisbane City
Accepting the first offer can be the right decision when:
1. The offer aligns with recent sales in the same building
CBD buyers compare very tightly. If similar apartments have sold around the same level, waiting for a jump can be risky.
2. The buyer is finance-ready and decisive
Short finance periods, clear conditions, or unconditional offers reduce uncertainty—especially important in apartment sales.
3. Buyer depth looks stronger than it really is
High enquiry doesn’t always mean multiple serious buyers. Often the strongest buyer moves first.
4. The property is investor-driven
Investors usually make one offer based on numbers. If they walk, they rarely return at a higher price.
In these situations, rejecting a solid first offer can mean losing momentum rather than gaining value.
When Holding Out Can Work in Brisbane City
There are times when holding out is justified—but only with evidence.
Holding out may make sense if:
Multiple buyers are actively negotiating
The property has rare features (river views, large floor plan, boutique building)
Enquiry remains strong after inspections
The first offer is clearly below recent comparable building sales
The difference between success and stagnation is strategy, not hope.
A Common Mistake Brisbane City Sellers Make
One of the biggest mistakes is assuming time automatically leads to a higher price.
In reality:
Buyers have many building options
Listings can go stale quickly
Investors may shift focus to another tower or suburb
If urgency fades, price pressure often goes down, not up.
First Offer vs Best Offer: Often the Same Buyer
In Brisbane City, the first offer is often:
From the most financially prepared buyer
From someone who understands the building and numbers
From a buyer ready to transact quickly
This is why experienced negotiation matters. Often the best result comes from refining and strengthening the first offer, not rejecting it outright.
How to Decide with Confidence in Brisbane City
Before making your decision, ask:
Does this offer reflect what buyers are paying in this building right now?
Are there genuinely other buyers ready to compete at this level?
What’s the real downside of waiting another two to three weeks?
The right decision balances price, certainty, and timing—not just the headline figure
Thinking of Selling in Brisbane City?
Every Brisbane City property—and every seller’s situation—is different. Whether the first offer is the right one depends on your property, your buyer pool, and your goals.
For clear, strategic advice before you decide:
At Nortons Real Estate, we help Brisbane City sellers make confident, well-timed decisions—without pressure.
Disclaimer
This article is general information only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Market conditions, buyer behaviour, and property values change over time. For advice specific to your circumstances, seek independent professional guidance or speak directly with a licensed real estate agent.