A two-bedroom unit at 10/1 May Street in Hornsby sold for $815,000 after Alex Gayl of McGrath Hornsby staged a strategic preparation campaign that generated six offers from 22 inspection groups in the first weekend.
The result came from precise preparation decisions — a targeted kitchen renovation, full styling to showcase the north-facing aspect, and a Friday afternoon listing timed to create urgency ahead of the first Saturday open. The approach worked: the property went under contract after five days, 11% above Hornsby’s $725,000 unit median.
How preparation shaped the campaign
Alex used past case studies to convince the vendor that upfront investment would deliver the best outcome.
“I made some very strategic decisions in terms of the preparation of the property,” Alex said.
“I had the owner do a very quick but precise renovation of the kitchen, paint and clean the carpets, completely remove all their furniture from the unit and had it styled to showcase the size and north-facing nature of the unit and the balcony.”
The property went live on Friday afternoon — deliberate timing to maximise weekend exposure while creating urgency.
What buyers noticed
The 22 groups at the first open commented most on the spacious living area, the renovated kitchen, and the natural light flowing through the unit.
Alex was surprised by two reactions: buyers were less concerned about the single bathroom than expected, and they responded strongly to the single garage rather than a car space.
“I thought that the single bathroom would be something that people would hesitate about,” Alex said.
“So I was a bit surprised that there was so much interest at those levels.”
Six groups placed offers by early in the week.
How the negotiation played out
Alex deliberately suspended the offer decision until the following day, giving every buyer time to arrange second inspections, review the strata report, and consult their solicitor. Several buyers returned for private viewings on Monday and Tuesday.
The successful buyer stood out on two fronts: the strongest price, and a willingness to shorten settlement from 42 days to 30 days.
The faster timeline reduced the vendor’s bridging finance costs — a detail that mattered to them as much as the price.
The vendors had told Alex they would be pleased to accept anything over $750,000 before further opens. The final result came in 8% above that figure.
Alex’s advice for vendors listing in Hornsby today: presentation matters, and there’s strong momentum in the unit market under $900,000.
“The property needs to be presented to appeal to the most buyers possible,” Alex said.
“There is quite a bit of momentum in the unit market in particular, especially properties under about $900,000 to $1 million.”
Every buyer in the process — including those who missed out — appreciated the time Alex gave them to review documentation and put forward their best offer.
That approach builds long-term market reputation.
About the agent
Alex Gayl is a third-generation real estate agent, currently working with McGrath Hornsby, specialising in delivering outstanding results across the Upper North Shore. Drawing on a diverse background and formative years in the family real estate office in Los Angeles, Alex brings strong negotiation skills and confident communication to every transaction. Visit Alex’s website or call Alex on +61 425 280 454.