Sometimes it’s not about a flashy renovation—just doing the right things, at the right time, with the right partner.
Every home has a different journey. Some need major transformation. Others just need someone to see the real value and make it shine.
18 McGrath Place, Noranda, was one of those homes.
Well-loved, well-maintained, and filled with memories, this family home didn’t need to be something it wasn’t—it just needed to be shown in its best light. That’s what we set out to do. And in the end, the result spoke for itself.
Chapter 1: A Home with Heart—and Untapped Potential
The owners had lived in the home for years. It was solid, functional, and had clearly been looked after. But like many homes that have been lived in for a while, the styling and setup didn’t quite match what buyers today are looking for when they scroll through listings or walk through open homes.
They contacted me with a clear goal:
“We want a good result, but we don’t want to over-invest. Can we still make this work without a major renovation?”
Absolutely. We just had to approach it the right way.
Chapter 2: Light Touch, Big Difference – The Power of Preparation
When you’ve been in a home for a long time, it’s easy to stop noticing the way the furniture is laid out, or how colours and lighting affect first impressions. That’s why one of the first things I do is walk through the property with a buyer’s mindset.
Here’s what we did:
✅ Rearranged the furniture
The layout needed a refresh. There were areas where bulky furniture was closing off the flow or making rooms feel smaller than they really were. Together with the owners, we moved pieces around, opened things up, and let the space breathe. It didn’t cost a cent—but made a huge difference.
✅ Touched up with fresh paint
Next, we refreshed the interiors with a neutral paint scheme. Nothing extreme, just a clean, light tone to modernise the space and give everything a cohesive, fresh feel. This helped buyers focus on the space, not the age.
✅ Added digital staging for online impact
For buyers browsing online, first impressions are everything. That’s why I arranged for digital staging on the key rooms, enhancing the photography and giving buyers a clear vision of what the home could be. The difference in visual appeal was immediate.
This combination—clever layout, fresh presentation, and strong visual storytelling—turned the home from “comfortable” to “market-ready.”
Chapter 3: Marketing Strategy – Telling the Right Story
With the home ready, it was time to create the campaign. But not just any campaign—a targeted one, built on experience.
This home wasn’t going to attract everyone. But for the right buyer—one looking for a family-friendly street, close to the future Noranda Train Station and in a well-established neighbourhood—it was a gem.
🎯 Who we targeted:
- Young families looking to upsize
- Second-time buyers staying in the area
- Local buyers wanting a functional home without the fuss of a renovation
- Those who could appreciate a solid home with long-term potential
💡 How we reached them:
- Strong online presence across real estate portals
- Geo-targeted social media ads with eye-catching headlines
- Direct contact with buyers who missed out on similar homes nearby
- Private database follow-up—a huge benefit of working with someone with strong local history
- Letterbox invites in surrounding streets
- Professionally written ad copy focused on lifestyle, layout, and location—not just features
We didn’t just put the property online—we told a story. And it worked.
Chapter 4: Inspections – Early Interest, Real Conversations
Right from the first open, the signs were good. The number of buyers coming through was strong—but more importantly, they were the right kind of buyers.
People walked in and said things like:
“It just feels easy to live in.”
“The space flows well.”
“This doesn’t feel like a project—it feels ready.”
Those are the kinds of reactions that come from solid preparation—not luck.
And while some agents simply collect names and leave it at that, I treat every buyer as a potential offer. I followed up with everyone. I listened, took notes, answered questions, and slowly moved the serious ones forward.
Chapter 5: Offers – A Gentle Push Makes a Big Difference
We had strong interest early on, with one buyer clearly keen. Their first offer came in a little below our expectations, but I wasn’t worried. This is where negotiation and timing come into play.
Rather than rush or push, I guided them through the process, highlighting the home’s true value—its presentation, its position, and its potential.
After a few careful steps, we had the offer where it needed to be.
The sellers were thrilled—and rightly so. It wasn’t just a sale; it was the right result for the work they’d put in.
Chapter 6: Settlement Over Christmas – A Few Hiccups, Nothing Major
Settlement fell during the Christmas season, which in real estate can be a bit unpredictable. A lot of offices slow down or close entirely, and timelines can get a little stretched.
I had everything arranged before stepping away for a few days myself—well briefed, fully coordinated, and on track. But as it sometimes happens, a few small hiccups popped up.
The buyer’s finance broker wasn’t quite as responsive as we’d hoped. Nothing serious, just minor delays and some slower communication than ideal. It was a good reminder that even the best plans sometimes need adjusting.
Once I saw that things were starting to drift, I stepped straight back in—following up daily, checking on milestones, and making sure everything moved forward. It didn’t derail anything, and the buyers were still excited. But it reinforced the value of having someone involved who stays calm, stays available, and knows how to steer things through.
In the end, settlement went through smoothly, and everyone moved forward with confidence.
Chapter 7: The Wrap-Up – Why It Worked
Looking back, the success of 18 McGrath Place didn’t come from one magic trick. It came from a series of smart, simple steps done properly, with the seller fully involved and supported the whole way.
🛠️ Preparation that made a real difference
We didn’t overdo it. We made the right changes. Rearranging furniture, painting, and digital staging gave this home a fresh new feel without blowing the budget.
🧠 A strategy that respected the market
Rather than chasing every buyer, we focused on the right ones—and made sure they saw the best version of this home, online and in person.
🤝 A hands-on approach from start to finish
From that first inspection to the final call on settlement day, I was there—not just opening doors but guiding the entire process.
💬 Sellers who were willing to listen and take advice
That always helps. These owners trusted the process, put in the effort, and stayed calm through the little ups and downs. That’s a big part of why it worked so well.
Thinking About Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Can Take from This Story:
- You don’t need to renovate—just present it right.
- Simple changes can have major impact.
- Digital presentation matters—it’s where the buyer journey starts.
- Experience counts when it comes to reading the market and guiding negotiations.
- Things don’t always go exactly to plan, but with the right partner, they still end well.
Let’s Talk About Your Home
If you’re thinking about selling—now or in the near future—let’s have a no-pressure chat. I’ll walk you through what’s working in the current market, how your property stacks up, and what you might expect with the right preparation and strategy.
It’s not about pressure or promises—it’s about knowing your options and getting the absolute best result without unnecessary stress.
📞 Gregory Swiatek
Your Ray White Partner
0414 260 457
✉️ gregory.swiatek@raywhite.com
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