Buyers advocate · Princes Hill

Buyers Agent in Princes Hill, on your side only.

Princes Hill is a small, tightly held Victorian and Edwardian enclave on the edge of Princes Park, with two of the inner north’s most sought-after government schools. Listings are rare and some sell quietly.
★ 4.9 rated on GoogleIndependent, buyer-onlyOne fixed fee, agreed upfront
1 in 2Bought off-market
47Days on average
50+Years combined
REIV memberREBAA accredited memberPIPA memberREIV Awards 2024 finalist
Princes Hill at a glance

Princes Hill: A Tiny Pocket Between the Park and the Cemetery

Princes Hill is one of Melbourne’s smallest suburbs, home to around 2,000 people on a government-surveyed grid between Princes Park, Melbourne General Cemetery and the wide boulevard of Pigdon Street. Most homes were built between the late 1870s and the 1910s, so the streets are lined with single-storey Victorian and Edwardian houses, some two-storey terraces and very little modern infill. Wide streets and rear service lanes give it a spacious feel that is rare this close to the city.

The median house price is around $1.9 million (REIV, March quarter 2026), and demand is anchored by Princes Hill Primary School and Princes Hill Secondary College on Arnold Street. Lygon Street shops and trams and the paths and ovals of Princes Park sit on the doorstep. As a buyers agent in Princes Hill, our main task is finding homes before they reach the market, because so few change hands each year.

Princes Hill market snapshot

  • Median house price: $1.9 million
  • Median weekly rent (house): $1,000
  • Gross rental yield (houses): 2.7%
  • Source: REIV, March quarter 2026
How it works

How we buy in Princes Hill

01

Free strategy call

Thirty minutes on your brief, your budget and the streets and property types that genuinely fit it. No obligation.

02

Search on and off market

We inspect, shortlist and run the due diligence, including homes that sell quietly and never reach the portals.

03

Negotiate or bid, then settle

We set the price strategy, negotiate or bid on your behalf, and manage the contract through to settlement.

Book a free strategy callOne fixed fee, agreed upfront. We act only for the buyer, never the vendor.
Lou LihariFormer selling agent and auctioneer. Leads negotiation and bidding for our clients.
Before you inspect

Why Princes Hill Listings Are So Hard to Catch

Princes Hill turns over very little stock, so most buyers wait months for the right listing and then face a crowd of school-focused families. Some homes sell off market or through quiet approaches to existing owners. Being known to local agents, with finance and inspections ready, is the advantage.

Heritage controls apply across the area, so additions and demolitions need careful planning, and Victorian houses here can carry original defects such as damp, cracking and old wiring. Check school zoning for the exact address rather than assuming. Weigh up homes facing Princes Park, which have outlook but sit near activity around Ikon Park. With house rents around $1,000 a week, investors should expect a modest 2.7% gross yield.

Hoping to buy in Princes Hill? Register your brief with us so you hear about homes before they are advertised.
Local knowledge

Buying in Princes Hill: a local view

Premium pockets

The streets fronting Princes Park.

Quieter pockets to weigh up

The park-fringe arterials.

Hardest stock to secure

A grand terrace fronting the park, which is rarely available.

A common buyer mistake

Not realising how small and tightly held the suburb is. Off-market access helps.

Life in Princes Hill

Princes Park and the Carlton North villages.

School zones in Princes Hill

Princes Hill Primary and Princes Hill Secondary College are both highly sought. Confirm zoning at findmyschool.vic.gov.au.

If Princes Hill is out of reach: Carlton North or Brunswick East.

Thinking of buying in Princes Hill?

We take on a limited number of clients at a time, so every brief gets a director’s full attention. Book a free, no-obligation strategy call and we will map out your Princes Hill search together.

Book a free strategy call

Buying in Princes Hill: What We Watch For

The defining feature of the Princes Hill market is how little of it there is. A handful of streets, almost all built out by the 1910s and protected by heritage controls, means the supply of houses barely changes from year to year. When a well-kept Victorian or Edwardian home comes up, it usually attracts families who have been waiting for months, many of them focused on Princes Hill Primary and Princes Hill Secondary College. That competition can push buyers into skipping steps. We still insist on a full building inspection, because original fabric in homes of this age often hides movement, damp and dated wiring, and we confirm school zoning for the exact address. We also check what lies behind a property, since rear laneways and narrow lots affect light, access and renovation options. Some sales happen quietly through agent networks, so the earlier a buyer is known, the better.

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Federica Caldaroni profile picture
Federica Caldaroni
7 days ago
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I was flat out with work and had neither the time nor the resources to house hunt, and not being local made the Melbourne market hard to understand. Lou and Alana were incredibly professional and took care of every single detail, making the whole process smooth and stress-free. They found my home in just 11 days! I'd wholeheartedly recommend LP Advisory to friends and family who want to actually enjoy finding their perfect place.
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Jac Bowie profile picture
Jac Bowie
10 days ago
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I can’t recommend Lou and Alana from LP Advisory highly enough! They helped me secure my dream Melbourne apartment and, along the way, educated me on the property market, Melbourne suburbs and making smart investment decisions. Their knowledge, professionalism and genuine care made the entire experience fantastic. I’ll absolutely be using them for future purchases and recommending them to everyone I know. Couldn’t be happier!
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Connie Caligiuri
38 days ago
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Lou was extremely helpful, professional, personable and knowledgeable from the get go. He was responsive throughout the process and gave us the confidence we needed to make informed decisions. My partner and I can’t recommend Lou’s services enough! Thank you Lou!
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Stephanie Evans
39 days ago
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Have dealt with LP Advisory on many occasion being a real estate agent in the Port Phillip area. I have to say Lou is always extremely easy and no fuss to deal with, always having the best intentions for their clients. Lou recently purchased a property through us pre market in South Melbourne. Within 48 hours, his client had viewed, a building inspection had been conducted and we had negotiated with the owner and come to an agreeable price. Happy clients all round so thank you. Steph Evans - Marshall White.
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Kirrily Graham
40 days ago
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The team at LP Advisory are an absolute delight to work with. They have incredible experience, local knowledge and expansive network in the industry. They provide an impeccable service and I was so impressed with their promptness and level of communication. Thanks Lou and Alana, it is a pleasure to work with you!
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Tashi Dorjee
41 days ago
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Genuine, easy to trust , real world market advice. Can't recommend him enough
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Hayley Vo
46 days ago
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I’ve had the pleasure of working with Lou on a number of property matters, and one thing that really stands out is the level of care and attention to detail he puts into the property search for his clients. Lou is extremely knowledgeable. He is always asking questions, clarifying details and making sure he has a thorough understanding of the property so he can properly guide and assist his clients. From a conveyancer’s perspective, it’s really lovely to see the amount of care he takes behind the scenes to ensure his clients are making informed decisions and purchasing the right property for them. I would happily recommend him to anyone looking for an experienced, knowledgeable and genuinely caring buyer’s advocate.
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Dominic Monaco
79 days ago
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I've had the pleasure of getting to know Lou and Alana from LP Advisory and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. They genuinely put their clients first and are committed to helping buyers make informed property decisions. Their knowledge of the Melbourne market, professionalism and attention to detail are evident in everything they do. They're approachable, honest, responsive and clearly passionate about achieving the best possible outcome for their clients. I have every confidence recommending LP Advisory to anyone looking for a trusted buyer's advocate.
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James Miller profile picture
James Miller
85 days ago
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There are not enough superlatives for what a wonderful job Lou and Alana have done. Looking for a home is stressful enough, especially when you add in the fact I am move interstate, however the LP Advisory team took all the difficult work out of it. I am extremely happy with the service and care I have received, which obviously ranged from sourcing appropriate inspections based on my preferences, then through going to them, giving me amazing advice and suggestions. They are both very professional, very kind and very efficient. Thank you both so very much. I am beyond appreciative and I could not recommend their services enough. If anyone is looking, please look into Lou and Alana. Thanks :)
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Erin Richardson profile picture
Erin Richardson
85 days ago
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I could not recommend Lou, Alana and the LP Advisory Team more highly. They are absolutely the real deal in terms of their local knowledge, price guidance and relationships - it is almost an unfair advantage if you have them on your team. I recently was able to purchase a home far better than anything I would have dreamed of due to the strength of their relationships and negotiating advice. At no point did I ever feel pressured to look at homes which I felt were off brief - they would send me video tours of homes before I even stepped in to make sure that it was only for the highest and best potential homes that I was investing my time. I wasn't fighting with the regular weekend crowds but had the opportunity to view when it suited me. And more than that, I was able to be candid and open in my feedback which was clearly taken back on board and reflected back in the shortlist that was presented back to me. As a business owner making a significant purchase, their commercial nous was unbelievable as was their integrity (they earned their fee four times over) and I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with them. I was actually recommended them by one of the local Port Melbourne/Albert Park agents who probably regrets introducing us now!
Your team

Securing a Home in Princes Hill

In a suburb with as few sales as Princes Hill, access is everything. Sharyn’s long-standing relationships with inner-north agents mean we often hear about Princes Hill homes before a campaign starts, and she can approach owners directly where appropriate. Alana’s due diligence covers heritage overlays, school zoning for the specific address and the building issues common in century-old homes. Lou negotiates privately or bids at auction, knowing that families competing for these schools can push prices well past the quoted range. Our fixed fee means our advice on when to walk away stays honest.

Lou Lihari

Director · Lead buyers agent

Former selling agent and auctioneer. Negotiates and bids for you.

Alana Prideaux

Director of Operations · Licensed agent

Runs due diligence: contracts, Section 32, overlays and building reports.

Sharyn Prideaux

Off-market specialist

Finds the homes that sell quietly, before they reach the portals.

Questions

Buying in Princes Hill: Common Questions

Does buying in Princes Hill guarantee a place at Princes Hill Secondary College?
Not automatically. Government school zones are set for each address and can change, so check the specific property at findmyschool.vic.gov.au rather than relying on the suburb name. Princes Hill Secondary College draws students from several council areas, and its zone does not simply follow suburb boundaries. We confirm zoning for every shortlisted home before you bid.
Because the suburb is tiny and owners tend to stay. Princes Hill has around 2,000 residents on a handful of streets, mostly single-storey period homes with little scope for new dwellings. Families often hold for many years to stay near the schools and Princes Park. That scarcity means some homes trade off market, which is why being known to local agents matters.
Usually, but with limits. Heritage controls cover the area, so demolition and visible changes need a planning permit, and street-facing second storeys are hard to justify. Sympathetic rear extensions are more common, and narrow lots and rear laneways also shape design. We review the heritage overlay and nearby approvals before you commit so your plans match what is achievable.
It depends on your priorities. Homes facing the park have outlook and direct access to its paths and ovals, and they are among the most sought-after in Princes Hill. The trade-off is more traffic and activity near the sporting grounds, especially on game and training days. Quieter internal streets near Arnold Street offer a calmer setting while still sitting a short walk from the park.
Princes Hill is quieter and more uniformly residential than both. Carlton North has the Rathdowne Street village and more housing variety, while Fitzroy North offers Edinburgh Gardens and a wider price range. Princes Hill buyers usually prioritise the schools and Princes Park. If nothing suitable comes up, Carlton North is the natural next search area.
Expect a modest yield. Houses rent for a median of around $1,000 a week, a gross rental yield of about 2.7% (REIV, March quarter 2026). Tenant demand is supported by the University of Melbourne, the Parkville hospitals and the local schools, but Princes Hill is mainly a long-term owner occupier and capital growth market rather than a cash flow investment.
Free 30-minute call

Buying in Princes Hill?

Talk to us before your next inspection or auction. You will come away with a clear view on price, competition and your best next step.

Also buying nearby

How we can help

We act for owner occupiers buying a home to live in, as well as first home buyers, families upsizing, downsizers and property investors.

Some homes change hands before they are ever advertised, so we search off-market property as well as listings. If it goes to auction, we can bid for you. Not sure about the building? Start with a pre-purchase property report.

Moving from interstate or overseas? We run the search and inspections for buyers who are not in Melbourne. Buying for business or super? See our commercial property buyers advocate service.

Selling instead? Our vendor advocates help you pick the right agent and campaign.

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Independent property advice you can trust.

  • ✓  50+ years combined experience
  • ✓  REIV, REBAA & PIPA accredited
  • ✓  50% of purchases secured off-market
  • ✓  Average 47 days to purchase
  • ✓  Boutique, senior-led team

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