When I first met the owners of 51A Cooper Road, Morley, I could see they had a lot on their plate. A newer, rear three-bedroom home with two modern bathrooms, a separate activity/TV room, and a spacious open-plan area incorporating an upmarket kitchen, large dining, and family spaces—it was clear that the property had excellent bones. The double garage and high-quality finishes were also a major plus. However, the home was not being shown in its best light due to one key issue: clutter.

The young couple, who had a small son, had filled their home with the kinds of things you’d expect in a young family’s life—an abundance of toys, books, and day-to-day necessities that made the space feel more lived-in than showcased. Despite this, the couple had a clear goal in mind: they needed to sell this home to upsize into a larger property for their growing family. This meant they wanted to achieve as much as possible from the sale.

The Initial Challenge: Clutter and Presentation

When I inspected the home for the first time, I could immediately see the potential buyers would love. It was a great property, but the amount of clutter—especially the sheer volume of toys their young son had accumulated—was a distraction. I explained to the owners that to attract the right buyer and achieve the price they needed, the home had to feel aspirational. Buyers needed to walk through the door and imagine themselves living there.

I asked them a tough question: “Are you willing to change your lifestyle, at least temporarily, to get a better price?”

Their answer? A resounding “Yes.” They were highly motivated, which was crucial to the next steps.

Transforming the Home: A Fresh Start

With the owners on board, we worked together to declutter and simplify the presentation of the home. Toys were removed, and unnecessary items were packed away. The idea was to give the home a fresh, clean look that would appeal to a broad range of buyers while still maintaining the warmth and charm of a family home. I advised them on how to stage the property effectively without hiring external staging services, making the best use of what they already had.

The owners prepared the home beautifully, making the open-plan kitchen, dining, and family area the standout feature. This space, in particular, had immense appeal for families, and we wanted buyers to focus on its size, functionality, and style. They also made sure the bathrooms and bedrooms were spotless and clutter-free, allowing these good-sized rooms to shine. The activity/TV room was another valuable space we highlighted, especially for young families or those needing a separate area to unwind or for kids to play.

Once the home was ready, we moved on to the next critical aspect—marketing.

The Marketing Campaign: A Custom Strategy

Given how well the home had been prepared, I suggested we enhance the marketing campaign to match the presentation. The owners were open to suggestions, and I outlined a plan that combined both traditional and digital marketing methods.

We decided to push a blend of print and online advertisements to maximize exposure. The key here was to create competition among buyers, so we needed as many people through the door as possible. I incorporated traditional methods, such as targeted letterbox drops and local print ads, but the real focus was on leveraging social media and online platforms.

We launched a targeted social media campaign that highlighted the home’s unique features: the modern, open-plan design, the high-end finishes, and the ideal location in Morley. This attracted significant attention from buyers both locally and beyond, as we made sure the campaign reached as wide an audience as possible.

Twilight Viewing: The Perfect Opportunity

To capitalise on the interest generated from our marketing efforts, we organised a twilight viewing. Twilight openings are ideal for properties that show well in the evening light, and 51A Cooper Road, with its beautiful finishes and spacious layout, was perfect for this. We scheduled the viewing at just the right time, with enough natural light left to highlight the backyard and outdoor space, transitioning into the warm interior lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere.

The turnout was impressive. We had a fantastic number of people attend the viewing, including both serious buyers and those curious about the home. The twilight setting provided a unique experience, and it allowed potential buyers to see the home in a way that resonated with them emotionally.

Negotiating the Sale: Above Expectations

The interest was immediate and intense. After the viewing, several buyers expressed serious interest, and we found ourselves in a prime position to negotiate. My goal was always to get the best possible price for the owners, and the combination of the well-prepared home, the enhanced marketing campaign, and the strategic twilight viewing set us up perfectly for success.

That evening, negotiations began. We were able to negotiate a sale that not only met but exceeded the owners’ expectations. The competitive nature of the buyers, spurred by the marketing campaign and the well-executed viewing, allowed us to drive the price up to a level that the owners hadn’t anticipated.

The Outcome: Overwhelmed Owners

The owners were ecstatic. They had worked hard to present their home in the best possible light, and the result was worth the effort. Not only did we secure a sale that was above their target price, but we also did it quickly, allowing them to move forward with their plans to purchase a larger home for their growing family.

For me, this sale was a prime example of how preparation, strategic marketing, and the right approach to showcasing a home can make all the difference. The success of 51A Cooper Road, Morley, was a result of teamwork between myself and the owners, combined with a targeted, well-thought-out approach to both the presentation and marketing of the property.

At the end of the day, it’s all about results—and in this case, we delivered above and beyond.