Special “Sight-Unseen” Ex-Pat Home Assignments

Every now and then we get the privilege of assisting clients who are based overseas with the acquisition of their return-to-Australia home. It’s an assignment based on trust, patience, and collaboration.

Unlike a local-home-finder who can share in the inspection process and give feedback after an actual visit, overseas-based ex-pats rely on our ability to tap into their own taste and preferences.

We profile them, formulate a written Strategy Document, and share our shortlisted property ideas. But it’s our inspections which tell most of the story.

It’s amazing how a video clip on a smart phone can provide a virtual inspection.

The most exciting aspect to this particular Baysiide assignment was how our clients were able to work through their own tastes and preferences to arrive on the same page. Day One had their preferences widely set apart, yet with a lot of email discussion, probing questions, great dialogue and a series of phone hookups, the criteria became obvious and the compromises apparent.

Two auction attendances in the cooler months didn’t go their way, and for good reason.

In each case, one party liked the property substantially more than the other. Until both buyers score a property highly, the chances of being successful at auction are in question.

With reassurance that spring was fast approaching and that good options would avail themselves.

It was when 54 Ludbrook Avenue, Caulfieild South cropped up that we could sense mutual levels of enthusiasm. This stunning five bedroom home on more than 600sqm of land boasting a superbly landscaped north-facing sun-drenched yard with pool captured their hearts and their heads. The carefully manicured family home ticked every box and our inspections in person confirmed its suitability.

Today on a cold Sunday with rain threatening the crowd, we all traipsed inside to the open plan living and kitchen area… and as the auctioneer excitedly pointed out, demonstrated to ourselves just how many people this generous home could accommodate at the house-warming.

There is often such complexity faced by couples who are inspecting in their own city together in person. To tackle the challenge not only from the other side of the globe, but also to entrust the recommendations, decisions and bidding to a third party is a huge test of trust.

We take the responsibility seriously and treasure the faith put into our guidance when ex-pats ask us to assist in this vital role.

Wishing our delightful clients a warm home-coming and many happy family years in this beautiful property.

 A special thank you to my little photographer who filmed it all for our ex-pats to watch. Chupa Chups well earned. 🙂