Young professionals from the metropolitan area are keen to leave city living behind to start their family in a rural centre and for them, Orange ticks all the boxes. But like a lot of their Orange counterparts, they're struggling to make headway in Orange's booming real estate market.

Getting a foot in the door has prompted a more aggressive approach from some buyers, data from LJ Hooker shows 11 per cent are happy to buy a house blind, or without an in-person inspection, while others are trying a more personal touch.

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Chris Hansen falls in the latter category, he composed a small note introducing himself and his plan, then organised a letter box drop to properties he could see himself settling in.

Mr Hansen said it wasn't so much trying to work outside the real estate agencies, he stressed he was more than happy to go down that path, it was more about adding an extra string to his bow.

"It's just a way of teasing something out that might be available," he said, adding he'd been encouraged by feedback. "It's been interesting. About 15 people have been in contact.

"It's also been lovely getting the messages of support."

Apart from having a strong network of friends based here - they were recruited to deliver the note while Mr Hansen remained in lockdown - Orange has other attractions for him.

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"We did the research and we know enough people to have a social network. There's new cafes and new bars, the stuff we'd miss about inner-city life are out there."

They're also doing the hard yards when it comes to finding a property, having started their hunt over three years ago.

"Three years ago we looked at a place at Forest Reefs and we thought it was over-valued at $1.1 million and it did get passed in. In February it went for $1.73 which gives you an idea of what it's like."

LJ Hooker Orange's Scott Monro said he had been asked to door knock on a Sydney buyers' behalf and said he had several people interested in buying blind.

While he wasn't against the idea, he did try to counsel people considering that approach.

"I've got to be fair dinkum with the person," he said. "I'd much prefer to maybe take a small holding deposit until they could get out here and look at it."

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Mr Hansen said he had considered buying blind.

"Are we desperate ...no but there has been times when either of us got carried away and we're willing to pay over. We did dodge a bullet on that one."

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