The RightSizer property market
Unsurprisingly at this stage of life they often know what they want. It may be a stunning sky home like those in One Barangaroo Crown Residences that are as spacious as an existing home with in-house access to lifestyle amenities far more extensive than a traditional concierge, swimming pools and gymnasia.
It may be a modern apartment but with enough walls to accommodate and properly showcase a vast art collection collected over a lifetime.
More developers are waking up to RightSizing reality, but demand for new, high-quality RightSizing homes massively outweighs supply. That’s where a professional Buyer’s Agent can offer a huge advantage with instantaneous industry knowledge and news.
The location of choice is key, especially if it has been some years since going through the sale and purchase experience. So $3 million for 1,500m2 in Pymble only buys you 150m2 in Kirribilli, Milsons Point, the CBD or Potts Point or a terrace on a postage stamp block of land. And that’s without parking in Millers Point or Pyrmont.
A dominant trend for RightSizers moving in closer to the city is to be near family.
But sometimes the RightSize option is in a suburb close by within a state-of-the-art master development. That can mean keeping the same social ties, lower care and maintenance, better facilities and no steps. But only if you know where and when to look.
Selling Agents’ tricks and traps
Agents will always say lifts are quick and easy to install, but retro-fitting lifts is expensive and controversial. A DA is almost always required (not the best way to meet your new neighbours), so stress rises as does cost – $50,000 can easily become $250,000.
Agents may gloss over a lack of storage options – storage needs to be a genuine consideration.
Depending on the development, pets may be an issue, so clarity must be sought. Other developments may look superb but are difficult for visitor parking, security and communications and so discourage friends and family from dropping by. And even if it’s forbidden, how do you know the building isn’t riddled with short-stay accommodation like AirBnB?
Neighbourhoods also need to be understood and road-tested so the ambience is part of the RightSizing choice. Again a Seller’s Agent will promise a perfect world whether it’s good, bad or indifferent. How do you find out before you live there?
Buyer’s Agent advantages
All those questions – storage, pets, access, steps, lifts, neighbourhood, AirBnB and more – can be examined and clarified by a professional Buyer’s Agent who will investigate thoroughly, and who knows how to push well past the seller’s slick sales answers.
A Buyers’ Agent can also act discretely for RightSizers wanting to keep a low or zero profile in the purchasing process and in their new choice of residence. Curtis Associates has acted with total discretion for a range of medium to high-profile purchasers – from media stars and politicians through to His Excellency the Governor-General of Australia, rightsizing from Admiralty House.
Every client of Curtis Associates is accorded that same skill and discretion. Discretion is assumed to be required unless told otherwise.
And discrete RightSizers can also stipulate a condition that all purchases must be made off-market. In that situation a Buyer’s Agent is essential.
RightSizers – how to gain an edge
It’s worth considering at least two or three types of property for the next step. The market continues to bring new concepts and offerings forward as well as expected.
It’s also worth considering slightly unexpected locations. These can come into play as excellent quality and value when infrastructure support improves.
Another option is to contemplate properties with company titles. These can offer exceptional value and locations, and often suit the RightSizer’s requirements perfectly.
Above all, use a Licensed Buyer’s Agent who is exclusively a Buyer’s Agent.
At Curtis Associates that’s what we are, so we have no conflicts of interest or conflicting business interests such as property management – our only interest is that of the buyer.
Curtis Associates is ideally suited to leverage your financial advantage and help turn a potentially stressful experience into a smooth, stress-free transition. When you’re ready to discuss your RightSizing needs, we’re ready to help.
