Helping Local Retirees Downsize Without Compromise in the Lockyer Valley

After decades in their family home, our lovely retiree clients were needing to downsize. They wanted something smaller, easier to maintain, but still with space for their hobbies and caravan. Most importantly, they wanted to remain close to their family and familiar community in the Lockyer Valley.

Their brief was clear: a modest, low-maintenance home on small acreage with a shed. Their budget was on the lower end for the area, but with limited availability and rising prices, we knew we needed to move quickly when the right opportunity came up.

Initially, we sourced two properties that matched their brief and were listed with local agents. But both were overpriced for what they offered. Our clients agreed—they just didn’t feel right. Like many buyers who hadn’t purchased in decades, they were shocked by current prices. A big part of our role became educating and guiding them through the reality of today’s market, helping them understand how values have changed and what constitutes fair market value in this stage of the cycle.

Then, through our hyper-local knowledge and on-the-ground presence, we found a property that wasn’t on the major portals—just a hand-written “For Sale” sign on the fence. The vendors were self-representing and didn’t want to involve an agent.

Buying directly from unrepresented vendors presents unique challenges. Emotions often run high, and there’s a lack of professional guidance on their side, which can make the process more stressful than necessary. But with calm, firm communication, we were able to secure a fantastic result for our clients, including furniture inclusions, at a fair price. We managed the entire process, shielding our clients from unnecessary tension while ensuring everything stayed on track.

Our clients felt completely supported, especially when it came to the finer details. For example, they weren’t aware of the importance of a final pre-settlement inspection after the vendors had fully vacated the home. We explained how this step ensures the property is left in an acceptable condition. Despite initial resistance from the vendors, we successfully secured that inspection, giving our clients peace of mind.

Now settled in, our retirees are absolutely thrilled. Their new home is close to major amenities and future development areas, with ample shed space for their caravan and hobbies. It’s exactly what they were looking for—and we’re proud to have helped them make such a meaningful move, stress-free.