How to Price Your Melbourne Apartment for Overseas Investors

Thinking about selling your Melbourne apartment? If you want to attract serious international buyers, pricing is only half the equation. To sell your VIC unit to foreigners for top dollar, you need to understand global demand, legal requirements, and how to reach overseas investors where they are searching.

This guide covers how to price your Melbourne apartment for international buyers—and why Leaso gives you the global reach and language access local agents can’t match.

Why Overseas Buyers Target Melbourne Apartments

Melbourne remains one of Australia’s hottest property destinations for foreign investors, driven by:

Consistently high rental yields (4–5% in many suburbs)
Top-ranked universities and education opportunities
Strong population growth and infrastructure investment
A reputation for culture, liveability, and safety

Data: According to Domain, Melbourne regularly ranks among the top choices for Chinese and Southeast Asian property buyers.

Key Pricing Factors for International Buyers

International Market Mindset

Overseas buyers compare your Melbourne apartment to properties in Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, London, and Singapore. To price right:

Emphasize location (CBD, university zones, growth corridors)
Highlight strong rental yields and recent growth trends
Be aware of currency fluctuations (AUD vs USD, RMB, etc.)

Legal Requirements for Foreign Investors

Foreign buyers in Victoria must:

Obtain Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval
Pay a foreign purchaser additional duty (currently 8% in Victoria)
Usually purchase new or off-the-plan apartments; established properties are tightly regulated

Tip: Include FIRB and duty info in your listing or conversations to show you’re ready for international deals.

Transparent, Strategic Pricing

Set a competitive price in AUD and show equivalent in major foreign currencies (Leaso does this for you).
Use round, psychologically appealing numbers (e.g., $588,000).
Clearly communicate all extra costs, including stamp duty and legal fees.

How to Find Overseas or International Buyers for Your Melbourne Apartment

Why Agents Aren’t Enough

Traditional agents—even the big brands—usually market properties on local sites, occasionally using international portals. Limitations include:

Limited network abroad and little active global marketing
Rarely offer translation for listings or buyer communications
Time zone and cultural communication barriers

Leaso vs. Local Agents: Unlocking Global Demand

With Leaso, your Melbourne apartment is discoverable by serious overseas buyers anytime—translated instantly, no matter where they’re searching from.

Step-by-Step: Pricing Your Melbourne Apartment for Overseas Investors

Benchmark Globally:
Compare your price per square metre with similar apartments in Melbourne and international investor hotspots.
Communicate All Costs:
Make sure buyers understand FIRB fees, foreign purchaser duty, legal, and management costs upfront.
Highlight Melbourne’s Value:
Showcase nearby universities, transport, city amenities, and projected rental returns.
Multi-Currency Pricing:
Leaso enables you to show your price in AUD and buyers’ local currencies, breaking down language and financial barriers.
Be Ready to Negotiate:
Overseas buyers expect negotiation—know your minimum acceptable price and ideal terms.

Why Leaso Is the Best Way to Reach International Buyers

Leaso is the world’s first AI-powered, intentions-based real estate matching platform:

Global Buyer Pool: Matched with active buyers worldwide seeking Melbourne apartments.
52+ Language Support: Every Card and message is automatically translated, making deals frictionless.
Always-On: Your apartment is visible to overseas buyers 24/7, with real-time, private chat built in.
Verified Option: Get extra trust and exposure with a verified seller badge.

Traditional agents can’t match Leaso’s reach or AI-powered multilingual matching.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can foreigners buy apartments in Melbourne?
A: Generally, only new or off-the-plan properties are available to overseas buyers, and FIRB approval plus foreign purchaser duty applies.

Q: How long does FIRB approval take in Victoria?
A: Typically 2–4 weeks. Factor this into your expected sale timeline.

Q: What attracts overseas buyers to Melbourne apartments?
A: Education access, rental yields, and city lifestyle are big draws.

Q: How does Leaso protect my privacy?
A: All communications happen securely in-platform, and you choose when to share contact info.