McGrath Open Home Guide: Lower North Shore ** by remagazines

Open Homes Guide

How to make your home irresistible to buyers

The key to extracting a premium price for a property – in any location, at any time, in any market – is emotionally connecting a number of buyers to your home and creating competition between them.

Achieving this comes down to three crucial ingredients: outstanding presentation and marketing, a realistic price guide (if permitted in your state or territory), and selecting the right agent.

Here’s why each of these elements matters so much.

Presentation and marketing: Creating love at first sight

A high quality, strategic marketing campaign has two goals – reach the widest possible audience and showcase your property in the best possible light.

That means beautiful professional photography, a compelling property description, and well-designed advertising on the relevant online portals and in print and social media.

Styling your home to highlight its best features and make it feel inviting can dramatically influence how buyers emotionally connect. Whether you invest in a professional stylist or just follow your agent’s advice, the goal is the same – make the property irresistible.

Here are my top tips:

•First impressions: Street appeal matters. If the facade looks tired with peeling paint, overgrown gardens and dirty windows, buyers will form a negative view

•The interiors: Declutter, fix minor defects and choose neutral colours if repainting. Clean the windows to maximise natural light. Ensure everything looks clean and spacious

•Outdoor spaces: Stage your alfresco areas to showcase them as additional living and dining spaces. Revitalise and tidy your gardens

•On inspection day: Open the windows, turn on lights, add fresh flowers and play subtle music. You’re not just showing a property, you’re creating a mood for buyers.

Price guide: Be realistic

Your price guide (if permitted in your state or territory) is one of the most powerful tools you have in creating competition. Nothing will be more attractive to buyers than a realistic price.

Deciding the guide is more of an art than a science. Too high, and buyers will scroll past your listing. Too low, and you risk underquoting – which is illegal.

A skilled agent will help you analyse recent comparable sales, adjusting for differences in features, size and condition. Be prepared to hear honest feedback about where your home sits in the market. The more realistic your price guide, the more interest you’ll generate, and the greater the chance of multiple offers or spirited bidding at auction.

Overpriced homes tend to languish on the market. Once a listing is a few months old, buyers start to ask, “What’s wrong with it?”, and they tend to focus on all the negatives.

The right agent: Your greatest asset

A great agent does far more than put up a signboard and show buyers through. They’ll shape your sale outcome through strong

negotiation, a deep understanding of buyer psychology and exceptional communication with both you and your potential purchasers.

Start the process by asking neighbours and friends for recommendations. Then check the sales results in your area. Who’s selling homes like yours, and who’s getting the best prices?

It’s wise to invite three local agents to appraise your home. Assess their advice, pricing rationale and marketing approach. Pay attention to how they make you feel. Do they seem genuinely invested? Do they understand your property’s strengths and how to position it?

Many people are too casual in their approach to choosing an agent. This is a crucial decision because your agent WILL have an effect on your sale price – good or bad. Choose wisely.

The most important window of your campaign is the first 14 to 21 days. This is why it’s important to plan everything well, with all three of these elements in place from day one.

John McGrath CEO & FOUNDER

Harriet Halmarick

“It was such a pleasure working with Harriet to sell our home. She was always professional, honest and dedicated to the job. Harriet’s charm and calm persona made buyers feel she had things under control and understood the property & the suburb intimately. She communicated openly & often with us throughout the process and took our feedback into consideration. She got a great price for us at a difficult time in the market. Thank you Harriet & all your team for such a wonderful job.”

Hard-working and down to earth, Harriet Halmarick is a dedicated sales agent at McGrath Lower North Shore with a reputation for ensuring clients achieve their goals and creating solutions for a streamlined transaction. Combining an LLB degree in Law/French with six years experience as a property lawyer and a passion for real estate, she is a trusted advisor who achieves optimum results for her clients. As a local resident for over 10 years, Harriet loves living and working on the Lower North Shore. She has a passion for architecture, having designed her own home and is inspired by the many unique properties in the area. A strong community advocate, Harriet has been on the parents’s associations of her children’s schools. Her knowledge of the area demographic gives her a distinct advantage over other agents. Harriet chose McGrath for its market presence, innovative marketing approach and database that is second to none. Whether buying, selling or investing, Harriet is the obvious choice

The difference between selling and celebrating.

The McGrath Sales System is a bespoke approach to selling real estate. It enables our agents to provide the information and insights you need to make informed decisions. Our aim is to deliver a seamless experience and achieve a premium result. Every detail can make the difference between selling and celebrating!

This Saturday’s auctions

This Saturday’s open homes

Coming Soon | Units

Coming Soon | Houses

North Shore Group

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Rowland Elster 0418 206 127

AUCTION Saturday 26 July 9.00am

Price Guide $1,100,000

View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am

Agent Trevor Richardson 0401 973 734

Aris Varvarian 0478 150 010

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

Sharon Ireson 0409 124 054

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am

Agent Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

Sharon Ireson 0409 124 054

Price Guide On Request View By Appointment

Agent Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

Sharon Ireson 0409 124 054

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 1.00pm - 1.30pm

Agent Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

Sharon Ireson 0409 124 054 12

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

Sharon Ireson 0409 124 054

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 12.00pm - 12.30pm

Agent Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

Sharon Ireson 0409 124 054

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Rowland Elster 0418 206 127

Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

North Shore Group

12 Sunnyside Crescent, Castlecrag

AUCTION Saturday 9 August 10.30am

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am

Agent Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

Sharon Ireson 0409 124 054

31/14 Gerard Street, Cremorne 2 beds 1 bath 1 car

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Nadine Marando 0497 580 471

Jon Snead 0408 160 527

301/300 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest 2 beds 2 baths 1 car FOR SALE

Price Guide $1,200,000

View Saturday 11.30am - 12.00pm

Agent Peter Chauncy 0402 036 489

Brooke Lumb 0450 344 240

SALE

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

beds 1 bath 1 car

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 12.00pm - 12.30pm

Rowland Elster 0418 206 127 391 Penshurst Street, Chatswood

Agent Jon Dundas-Smith 0425 241 525

Jason Georges 0421 958 391

20A Cooper Lane, Cremorne 3 beds 2 baths 2 cars

SALE

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Ray Liu 0423 517 630

Ivan Macolino 0439 498 640

65 Ernest Street, Crows Nest

3 beds 2 baths 2 cars

AUCTION Saturday 2 August 10.30am

Price Guide $2,900,000

View Saturday 1.00pm - 1.30pm

Agent Peter Chauncy 0402 036 489

Brooke Lumb 0450 344 240

303/89 Parraween Street, Cremorne

beds 2 baths 1 car

AUCTION Saturday 26 July 11.15am

Price Guide $1,800,000

View Saturday 1.00pm - 1.30pm

Agent Jon Snead 0408 160 527

Fred Eldridge 0437 554 440

128 Chandos Street, Crows Nest 2 beds 2 baths 1 car

AUCTION Saturday 19 July 12.45pm

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 12.00pm - 12.30pm

Agent Debbie Chadwick 0414 889 426

Brooke Lumb 0450 344 240

North Shore Group

SALE

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Tracey Dixon 0412 443 352

Robert Alfeldi 0418 982 688

108/64-68 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill 2 beds 2 baths 1 car FOR SALE

Price Guide $990,000

View Saturday 1.15pm - 1.45pm

Agent John Paranchi 0411 508 890

Price Guide $2,750,000

View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am

Agent Martika Whitfield 0431 755 597

Benjamin Mulae 0417 029 519

Nicole King 0410 337 482 70 Ryde Road,

Price Guide $4,180,000

View By Appointment

Agent Benjamin Mulae 0417 029 519

Martika Whitfield 0431 755 597

4 beds 3 baths 4 cars

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Tracey Dixon 0412 443 352

Nicholas Cowdrill 0402 510 294

2 baths 3 cars

AUCTION Saturday 2 August 1.30pm

Price Guide $2,800,000

View Saturday 12.30pm - 1.00pm

Agent Hazel McNamara 0402 913 537

AUCTION Saturday 26 July 12.00pm

Price Guide $2,500,000

View Saturday 11.45am - 12.15pm

Agent John Paranchi 0411 508 890

Nicole King 0410 337 482

6/16 Church Street, Hunters Hill

beds 1 bath 1 car

AUCTION Saturday 26 July 9.45am

Price Guide $900,000

View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am

Agent Nicholas Cowdrill 0402 510 294

Tracey Dixon 0412 443 352

403/5 Mindarie Street, Lane Cove

3 beds 2 baths 2 cars FOR SALE

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Richard Bonouvrie 0404 087 091

Julia Sikora 0410 451 749

North Shore Group

206/18 Birdwood Avenue, Lane Cove 2 beds 2 baths 1 car

FOR SALE

Price Guide $1,450,000

View Saturday 10.00am - 10.15am

Agent Julia Sikora 0410 451 749

Richard Bonouvrie 0404 087 091

301/15 Willandra Street, Lane Cove 2 beds 2 baths 2 cars

AUCTION Saturday 12 July 3.00pm

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 2.45pm - 3.00pm

Agent Julia Sikora 0410 451 749

Richard Bonouvrie 0404 087 091

54/17 East Crescent Street, McMahons Point

1 bath 1 car

AUCTION Saturday 12 July 9.00am

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 8.45am - 9.00am

Agent Blake Austin-Tock 0481 449 955

Rachael Piech 0421 286 677

107/15 Willandra Street, Lane Cove 2 beds 2 baths 1 car

AUCTION Saturday 12 July 1.30pm

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Julia Sikora 0410 451 749

Richard Bonouvrie 0404 087 091

4 Waimea Road, Lindfield

5 beds 3 baths 3 cars

AUCTION Saturday 19 July 1.30pm

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 1.00pm - 1.30pm

Agent Jon Dundas-Smith 0425 241 525

James Sutton 0422 704 370

401/8 Glen Street, Milsons Point

3 beds 2 baths 2 cars

FOR SALE

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 10.45am - 11.15am

Agent Nigel Mukhi 0412 696 666

Rachael Piech 0421 286 677

306/5 Mindarie Street, Lane Cove 3 beds 2 baths 2 cars FOR SALE

Price Guide

$1,800,000-$1,900,000

View Saturday 10.30am - 11.00am

Agent Richard Bonouvrie 0404 087 091

Julia Sikora 0410 451 749

4 Borambil Place, Longueville 4 beds 4 baths 2 cars

FOR SALE

Price Guide

$5,050,000

View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am

Agent Sam Lloyd 0418 236 103

Madeline Beevers 0466 661 561

146 Raglan Street, Mosman 4 beds 2 baths 1 car

FOR SALE

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Jack Hellegas 0413 247 396

Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

North Shore Group

59 Mitchell Street, Naremburn 3 beds 1 bath 1 car

AUCTION Saturday 12 July 10.30am

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 10.15am - 10.30am

Agent Peter Chauncy 0402 036 489

Hamish Gibbs 0448 593 201

24/4-14 Watson Street, Neutral Bay

2 beds 1 bath 2 cars

AUCTION Saturday 26 July 2.15pm

Price Guide $1,200,000

View Saturday 10.30am - 11.00am

Agent Amelia Andrews 0402 665 925

Anthony Godson 0402 773 835

6/50 Ben Boyd Road, Neutral Bay

2 beds 1 bath 1 car

AUCTION Saturday 12 July 9.00am

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 8.45am - 9.00am

Agent Jon Snead 0408 160 527

Fred Eldridge 0437 554 440

7 Probate Street, Naremburn 4 beds 2 baths 1 car

AUCTION Saturday 26 July 10.30am

Price Guide $3,600,000

View Saturday 10.45am - 11.15am

Agent Peter Chauncy 0402 036 489

Hamish Gibbs 0448 593 201

23/4-14 Watson Street, Neutral Bay

2 beds 1 bath 2 cars

FOR SALE

Price Guide $1,700,000

View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am

Agent Jon Snead 0408 160 527

Fred Eldridge 0437 554 440

23/81-91 Military Road, Neutral Bay

3 beds 2 baths 1 car

FOR SALE

Price Guide $1,600,000

View By Appointment

Agent Mark Ryan 0417 468 228

5/252 Willoughby Road, Naremburn 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars

AUCTION Saturday 26 July 9.45am

Price Guide $2,400,000

View Saturday 11.30am - 12.00pm

Agent Peter Chauncy 0402 036 489

Mun-Nee Morgan 0408 208 120

202/9 Harriette Street, Neutral Bay 3 beds 2 baths 2 cars

FOR SALE

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Anthony Godson 0402 773 835

Nick Gittoes 0408 636 543

13/64 Ben Boyd Road, Neutral Bay 2 beds 1 bath

AUCTION Saturday 19 July 9.00am

Price Guide $880,000

View By Appointment

Agent Nicholas Dunn 0439 641 340

Brandon Insuasti 0434 431 234

North Shore Group

25/2 Lindsay Street, Neutral Bay 1 bed 1 bath 1 car FOR SALE

Price Guide $700,000

View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am

Agent Jon Snead 0408 160 527

Fred Eldridge 0437 554 440

AUCTION Saturday 19 July 9.00am

Price Guide $2,500,000

View Saturday 12.00pm - 12.30pm

Agent Jon Snead 0408 160 527

Fred Eldridge 0437 554 440

AUCTION Tuesday 22 July 5.00pm

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 1.00pm - 1.30pm

Agent Annika Bongiorno 0415 194 152

Emma Vasili 0422 620 165

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Nick Gittoes 0408 636 543

Amelia Andrews 0402 665 925

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Rose Farina 0404 492 616

Denise Woo 0413 098 073

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Ty McCartney-Brown 0434 711 748

Ivan Macolino 0439 498 640 1/21 Eastern Valley Way, Northbridge

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Denise Woo 0413 098 073

Rose Farina 0404 492 616

301/54-56

AUCTION Saturday 12 July 10.30am

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am

Agent Denise Woo 0413 098 073

Jeff Woo 0403 280 189

10/45-49 Pellisier Road, Putney 3 beds 2 baths 2 cars

AUCTION Saturday 12 July 11.15am

Price Guide $2,650,000

View Saturday 10.15am - 10.45am

Agent John Paranchi 0411 508 890

Nicole King 0410 337 482

North Shore Group

Price Guide

$6,500,000 -

View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am

Agent Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

Rose Farina 0404 492 616 12 Rowe Street, Roseville Chase

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 12.00pm - 12.30pm

Agent Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

Sharon Ireson 0409 124 054

20/700-704

Price Guide

$700,000 - $750,000

View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am

Agent Martika Whitfield 0431 755 597

Benjamin Mulae 0417 029 519 5706/500 Pacific Highway, St Leonards

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Tracey Dixon 0412 443 352

Lilianna Lou 0405 088 738

Price Guide $2,650,000

View Saturday 12.30pm - 1.00pm

Agent John Paranchi 0411 508 890

Nicole King 0410 337 482

Price Guide $1,200,000 - $1,250,000 View By Appointment

Agent Ray Liu 0423 517 630 2/30

Price Guide $680,000 - $710,000

View Saturday 12.00pm - 12.30pm

Agent Ray Liu 0423 517 630

Price Guide $1,900,000

View Saturday 10.45am - 11.15am

Agent Peter Chauncy 0402 036 489

Mun-Nee Morgan 0408 208 120

AUCTION Saturday 19 July 12.45pm

Price Guide $1,300,000

View Saturday 10.30am - 11.00am

Agent Ray Liu 0423 517 630

14 Normac Street, Roseville Chase

North Shore Group

15 Champion Road, Tennyson Point 5 beds 4 baths 4 cars

FOR SALE

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am

Agent John Paranchi 0411 508 890

Nicole King 0410 337 482

1 bed 1

FOR SALE

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

Rowland Elster 0418 206 127

907/7 Scott Street, Willoughby 3 beds 2 baths 2 cars

beds 2 baths 1 car

FOR SALE

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

Rowland Elster 0418 206 127

38 Second Avenue, Willoughby East 3 beds 1 bath 1 car

FOR SALE

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Nicholas Dunn 0439 641 340

26/3-15 Christie Street, Wollstonecraft 3 beds 1 bath 2 cars

FOR SALE

Price Guide $1,460,000

View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am

Agent Trevor Richardson 0401 973 734

Ty McCartney-Brown 0434 711 748

AUCTION Saturday 9 August 9.00am

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am

Agent Nicholas Dunn 0439 641 340

Brandon Insuasti 0434 431 234

12A Shirley Road, Wollstonecraft 4 beds 2 baths 4 cars

AUCTION Saturday 12 July 9.45am

Price Guide On Request

View Saturday 9.30am - 9.45am

Agent Peter Chauncy 0402 036 489

Brooke Lumb 0450 344 240

FOR SALE

Price Guide On Request

View By Appointment

Agent Rowland Elster 0418 206 127

Craig Ireson 0419 418 614

Lot 73/3-60 Artarmon Road, Willoughby, Willoughby

bath

Unit Lot 41/3-60 Artarmon Road, Willoughby

23a Oakville Road, Willoughby

beds 2 baths 1 car

What to look for when buying a house or apartment and questions to ask.

As John McGrath says ‘home hunting is not a spectator sport. If you’re committed to finding a great home at the right price, you have to get into the marketplace, you have to go to open home inspections.’

When you start out looking at properties, you’re just getting a feel for the property and seeing if you could feel at home there. You’ll do you more thorough inspections and due diligence with experts down the track when you’re really serious about a property. Right now, you want to assess whether the property will fit your lifestyle, does it match your wish list, (with perhaps a few compromises). Do you have a good feeling about the property, and could you imagine living in it?

Does the layout and flow work for you? A good layout creates easy living, convenience and privacy. How are the living rooms located in relation to the bedrooms, and where are the bathrooms in relation to the bedrooms?

Is there enough space for you, your family and your ‘things’? Is there enough storage, potential to extend, reconfigure? What is the condition of the interior? Do you need to renovate, what is the quality of the kitchen and bathroom?

What is the light like? What is the aspect and how close is it to local amenities? These initial inspections are all about viewing as many properties as possible, talking to real estate agents and narrowing down you list of properties to a short list.

Questions to ask when buying a house or apartment

While at the open homes, make sure you ask the real estate agent lots of questions about the property. Knowledge is power and building a clearer perspective of the property can help you determine if it is right for you or not.

Here are some key questions to ask the real estate agent:

Can you please share with me a list of comparable sales over the last 3 months?

This will give you an idea of how much the property could be worth. Understanding what similar properties are selling for in the immediate area and why the agent believes the property is worth a particular price can help guide your price expectations.

Why is the vendor selling the property?

By understanding why the home owner is selling can help you negotiate the sale. For instance, if they are looking to buy another property, perhaps you could negotiate a longer settlement. If they have already bought, they may be keen to sell quickly and therefore open to early offers.

Are there any known issues with the property, land or neighbours that they are aware of?

While you will most likely uncover any major issues during your due diligence phase, asking the agent is worthwhile too.

Have they received any offers and if so, how much? This can help you understand vendor price expectations. Are the vendors willing to negotiate the price or receive pre-auction offers?

Are they aware of any planned zoning changes?

Are there any restrictions on the property?

How much are the council rates?