The Elephant in the Room
The property podcast for the thinking person.

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Episode 409: Off-Market On the Rise: The “Quiet” Evolution in Real Estate

There’s a side of the Australian property market that doesn’t advertise itself — where the best opportunities move quietly, and discretion is the real currency.

In this episode, Veronica Morgan and Chris Bates sit down with William Laing, Co-Founder and CEO of Quiet List, to explore the hidden world of off-market real estate — and how it’s reshaping the way agents, buyers, and sellers connect.

With new data revealing that around one in five Sydney homes now sell off-market, William lifts the curtain on how this private sector of the market really operates. From privacy-driven vendors and pre-market testing to the rise of buyer’s agents and invitation-only property platforms, this conversation traces the quiet evolution of deal-making in Australian real estate.

They discuss what truly defines an off-market listing, why some sellers are choosing to stay off the portals, and whether this trend enhances or obscures transparency. The result is a nuanced look at an industry shifting from public spectacle to private precision.

Listen now for an insider’s view of the art — and strategy — behind Australia’s most exclusive property deals.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 – Introduction

01:16 – Guest Introduction: William Lang of Quiet List

01:48 – Understanding Off-Market Listings

03:40 – Challenges in Off-Market Transactions

08:27 – Quiet List: The Business Model

08:40 – Appreciating the Role of Buyer's Agents

18:03 – Privacy and Transparency Issues of Off-Market Deals

26:18 – Real Estate Platforms

28:05 – Challenges and Changes in Agent Processes

28:45 – Advantages of Centralized Briefs

31:03 – Off-Market Deals and Relationships

32:23 – Platform Features and Future Directions

41:53 – Real Estate Market Dynamics and AI

42:33 – Property Dumbo

About our Guest:

William Laing is the Co-Founder and CEO of Quiet List, Australia’s first agent-only property platform transforming how real estate professionals connect qualified demand with quiet supply.

With more than a decade in luxury residential real estate — including roles with Kay & Burton, Knight Frank, Savills, and The Agency — William built his career around discretion, trust, and deal-making. His experience handling high-end, off-market transactions inspired Quiet List: a platform that helps agents capture the 20% of property deals that happen behind closed doors.

Today, William is helping agents nationwide turn “quiet listings” into smarter, more transparent transactions — bringing structure, security, and speed to a part of the market that’s always operated in whispers.

Connect with William

Resources:

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Chris Bates