Allie Coutts secured a buyer for the five-bedroom house, which included an integrated granny flat, at 34 Chaplin Street, Stafford Heights under a $1.72 million private treaty contract, before navigating a building and pest complication that required engineering reports and builders’ quotes to be turned around in just four days.
The buyer profile that shaped the campaign
Allie Coutts knew from the outset that 34 Chaplin Street would appeal to a specific demographic. The five-bedroom house included a granny flat setup in the layout — but unlike many dual-living setups, this one sat under the main roof rather than as a separate dwelling.
“What made this property appealing was the fact that the granny flat was under the roof of the house, so it was not a separate dwelling,” Allie explained.
“This meant it appealed to people who had older children still living at home, as well as people with mobility issues.”
Investors came through the opens, but the layout didn’t suit their needs. Families with multi-generational living arrangements or accessibility requirements were the ones who lingered.
Allie identified a buyer in the first week. But the real work was only just beginning.
When the building report landed
The property is an older dwelling, and something in the building and pest report required attention. On many campaigns, this is where momentum stalls. Buyers get nervous. Sellers push back. Deals collapse.
Allie took a different approach. She coordinated engineering reports and builders’ quotes, and had everything back within four days.
“The sellers were very proactive in addressing that element,” she said.
That speed kept the buyer engaged and demonstrated to both parties that the issue was manageable, not a deal-breaker. Following the engineering reports, builders’ quotes and further negotiations, the sale proceeded to a successful conclusion.
No pressure, but plenty of precision
The sellers were in an enviable position. They already owned their next home and were waiting for renovations to be completed, so there was no urgency to settle quickly.
That lack of pressure allowed Allie to wait for the right buyer, not just any buyer. But it also meant that when complications arose, she had to handle them with precision — there was no time-pressure excuse to push a suboptimal outcome.
The result was a successful outcome after both parties worked through the building report process, with the sellers “very grateful, very happy, and completely satisfied with the price.”
Throughout the process, Allie kept both buyer and seller informed while coordinating the engineering report and three builders’ quotes within four days, helping maintain momentum through the negotiations.
The Stafford Heights context
Stafford Heights sits in a quiet, elevated pocket of inner-north Brisbane, about 8–10 kilometres from the CBD. The leafy, established suburb offers strong amenities including Stafford City Shopping Centre, Westfield Chermside nearby, and good bus access, with median house values around $1.13 million to $1.25 million and consistent demand from families and professionals.
What another seller should know
Allie’s advice for property owners in Stafford Heights is straightforward: get a building and pest report upfront, particularly if you’re in an older home.
“It just provides some peace of mind for the seller,” she said.
She also noted a shift in the market. “We are taking longer to find the right buyer. But the right buyers are still here.”
That micro-market read — recognising that demand hasn’t disappeared, just changed cadence — is the kind of insight that positions an agent as the local sage rather than a megaphone for state-level headlines.
In this case, the right buyer was there in week one. The real skill was in making sure nothing derailed the deal between identification and contract.
About the Agent
Allie Coutts from Atlas Brisbane brings global perspective and sharp negotiation skills to real estate across Stafford Heights, Chermside West, Stafford, Everton Park, and Gaythorne. With two decades in education and 14 years living internationally, she guides clients through major decisions with clarity and care. Her approach is strategic and personal — positioning homes with precision and connecting buyers through insight and timing. Visit Allie’s website for more information or call Allie on 0459317039.