After meeting up and taking the time to understand exactly what they were looking for, we began exploring a number of properties — including one in Bangalow that initially seemed like a serious contender. However, once I had reviewed the contract closely and consulted with my wider team, it became clear there were significant risks involved. The sellers weren’t open to negotiating on those issues, and in my view, proceeding would have left my clients too exposed. As a buyer’s agent, it’s not just my job to help secure a property — it’s also to uncover potential risks before they become costly mistakes. The due diligence process is about identifying problems before there are consequences — not when you’re trying to fix them after signing on the dotted line. The reality is, once a contract is exchanged, backing out can be incredibly difficult and expensive. Many buyers don’t realise that walking away at that stage often means forfeiting a 10% deposit, which happens more often than most people think. While no one can promise to catch everything, I take pride in covering as much ground as possible to help my clients make informed, confident decisions — and more importantly, avoid ones they might regret later.

The property I secured for them at auction offered so much more than anything we’d previously seen — and it turned out to be the ideal match for their next chapter. While auctions always carry an element of unpredictability, and no one can control how far another buyer is willing to go, what can be controlled is preparation and strategy — and that’s exactly where I focused my energy.

I worked hard to plan every aspect of this purchase in advance. I had a clear understanding of my clients’ financial position, their emotional stakes, and — importantly — what the property was actually worth. This allowed me to set a firm ceiling price based not just on affordability, but on long-term value and how the bank would likely view the asset post-purchase. That kind of clarity ensures there are no surprises or regrets after the adrenaline of the auction has passed.

My clients were understandably nervous. Auctions can be emotionally intense and fast-moving — and it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure. As I explained to them, while I couldn’t remove their nerves completely, what I could do was absorb that pressure on their behalf. Auctions are designed to test emotional limits — skilled auctioneers know exactly how to read body language, exploit hesitation, and extract the highest price for their vendors. Having a buyer’s agent in the room protects clients from that. I act as the shield — I’m not emotionally tied to the property, I’m focused, and I’ve got one job: to buy the property for the right price.

Auction work is something I genuinely enjoy, and in this case, I drove a strong, decisive bidding strategy. The property was always going to be popular — it was rare, well-positioned, and full of potential — but I went in ready to compete. We knocked out the other bidders and secured the property below budget.

When I called my clients to share the news, they were absolutely over the moon with the result — not only had they secured the perfect property, but they’d achieved an even better outcome than they had expected or planned for. They were so happy with the service and support they received that they said, “Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you.” My response was simple: “You can — just tell your friends how I helped you.” And that’s exactly how my business grows — through referrals from happy clients who feel genuinely supported and looked after.