March has been one hell of a ride with COVID-19 impacting the way we buy and sell property across Sydney.

Yet 91 people still sold at BresicWhitney in the month, with an average sale price of more than $1.8 million. As you’d expect, fewer people are inspecting, with only the serious buyers still in the market. We’re having to adapt quickly to all new measures as they’re put into place.

Here are the (property) guidelines for what is deemed essential in NSW:
– Moving to a new residence or business place
– Inspecting a potential new residence
– Undertaking legal obligations and property settlements

Onsite auctions are banned. So are public open homes. With everything being shown in private, one positive is the spike in open conversations we’re having. Across BresicWhitney, more than 100 buyers reached out in the past 3 days alone to specifically say ‘we’re still intent on buying’.

Matching those buyers with sellers is now the priority.

For agents, that means sharing this information is the new(ish) norm. Because we work as one network, we match buyers and properties between different agents, across 4 offices. When someone has a committed buyer, we’re making sure all suitable sellers know about that.

The decision to sell all BW homes only by private treaty was an easy one. Of our 196 sales for 2020, just 31 have sold at pubic auction. So this process is already working for our people.

Like this one: Brad Papaellinas sold 206/11-23 Gordon Street, Marrickville for $975,000. Of the 12 buyers who inspected, just 2 came from via online portals. The other 10 were invited via the BW network.

Earlier in the month Rhonda Yim sold 27 Denison Road, Lewisham to someone who saw our photos before it went online. The vendors were flexible with a shorter settlement period, and the purchasers made a strong offer, knowing that a number of groups had viewed one week.

Michael Kirk sold 26/322 Bourke Street, Surry Hills above $1 million after 3 weeks on the market. The buyer was an owner-occupier with their heart set on that apartment.

And statement homes have still welcomed activity, with William Phillips selling 14 Richards Avenue, Surry Hills – a substantial residence and one of the area’s landmark sales for the month.

Meanwhile, a number of successful buyers were BW vendors who have just sold. In one instance, we exchanged Off-Market as a client sold to their own tenants.

Buyers will still be looking to secure a home for a number of reasons. And we’re adapting to better service them.

We’re asking all buyers for a simple reply. Reach out here.