Top Five Manly property purchases secured by Buyer’s Agent Suzi Buckley – Northern Beaches Area Specialist

A beachfront apartment, harbour-side down-sizer residence, renovation opportunity and secluded family home each attract different competition and require a different acquisition strategy.

The variety can be seen in some of the highlighted property purchases by Suzi Buckley where she demonstrated local knowledge, early access and disciplined negotiation, that can help buyers secure the right property whether it is publicly listed or never reaches the major property portals.

Five clients, five different Manly property briefs

Suzi’s recent clients included down-sizers, investors and a family searching for a long-term home. Their budgets, priorities and preferred property types varied considerably, but every brief called for a clear understanding of the local market.

Here are the five results:

An off-market Osborne Road apartment — $1.89 million

Suzi also secured a three-bedroom apartment on Osborne Road, one block from the harbour, for $1.89 million.

The apartment required cosmetic improvements, but that was part of its appeal. It gave the client an opportunity to update the property and create a city bolt-hole suited to their needs rather than paying a premium for somebody else’s renovation.

Purchased off-market, the result demonstrates why buyers should consider both a property’s current presentation and its potential.

See the Osborne Road purchase.

A renovated Queenscliff apartment — $2.475 million

In nearby Queenscliff, Suzi secured a fully renovated three-bedroom apartment with an elevated aspect and views towards Manly beach.

Purchased before auction for $2.475 million, it provided the investor with a well-positioned property requiring no immediate renovation work. Acting before auction also removed the uncertainty of competing under the hammer.

A North Steyne beachfront apartment — $3.6 million

This fully renovated two-bedroom apartment on North Steyne was secured before auction for an investor seeking a Manly bolt-hole.

Its beachfront position and ocean views made it a compelling lifestyle-led investment, but desirable apartments in prominent Manly buildings can attract strong competition. Suzi’s strategy enabled the client to act before auction, minimising competition and secure the property for $3.6 million.

View the North Steyne purchase to find out more.

West Esplanade Manly, an off-market harbour-front unit — $5.31 million

For a downsizer seeking a high-quality home without compromising on outlook or lifestyle, Suzi secured a fully renovated three-bedroom waterfront unit.

The property offered harbour views and a move-in-ready finish. It was purchased off-market for $5.31 million, allowing the client to secure a tightly held opportunity outside a public sales campaign.

For buyers considering a similar move, early access can be particularly valuable when searching for renovated, low-maintenance homes in premium Manly positions.

An architect-designed family home — $11.1 million

This purchase was an architect-designed four-bedroom home in one of Manly’s most private pockets.

With water views, a swimming pool and the privacy required by the family, this was a rare property with significant lifestyle appeal. Suzi represented the clients at auction and secured the home for $11.1 million.

Auction purchases demand more than confident bidding. Buyers need an evidence-based assessment of value, a firm ceiling and a strategy that can withstand the pressure of live competition. Suzi has previously shared more of her approach in this Northern Beaches auction case study.

What these purchases reveal about buying in Manly

Although the properties and clients were different, three themes ran through the five acquisitions:

Access matters

Two of the properties were secured off-market. Buyers relying only on public listing portals may never see every suitable opportunity available in Manly. Established relationships with local selling agents can provide earlier access and more time to assess a property before broader competition develops.

The method should match the property

An off-market negotiation, pre-auction offer and auction campaign each require a different approach. The right strategy depends on the seller’s position, the level of buyer competition and the property’s assessed value—not simply its advertised guide.

Local knowledge needs to be specific

Buying in Manly can involve very different considerations from one street or building to the next. Aspect, views, building condition, coastal exposure, privacy, parking and proximity to the harbour or beach can all influence value.

A Manly buyers agent should understand those differences at a property level, not just at a suburb level.

Looking for a Northern Beaches buyers agent?

Whether you are downsizing, investing or searching for a family home, Cohen Handler’s Northern Beaches buyers agents can manage the process from the initial brief and property search through to due diligence, negotiation and settlement.

Start a conversation with Suzi Buckley about your Manly property search.