Allie Coutts has sold a three-bedroom house at 14 Hepburn Street, Stafford Heights, for $1.16 million after a six-month campaign that saw one contract crash before local buyers with a family succession plan secured the property.
The challenge
Allie faced a test of professionalism when the first contract on 14 Hepburn Street fell through after months of waiting. The buyers had made their offer subject to the sale of their own property — a presentable home in a popular area that should have attracted interest. It didn’t.
“Multiple open homes, very few buyers walked through that property,” Allie recalls.
The sellers granted an extension. Still no buyers came. By then, market conditions had shifted enough that the original buyers saw better value elsewhere, and the contract crashed.
The relationship that held
What followed could have fractured the agent-seller relationship. Instead, it strengthened it.
“I was always very frank and upfront with them, and although they were very anxious and at times upset, they have appreciated my forthrightness,” Allie says.
That honesty earned her a five-star review from sellers who wrote they would use her again because they felt convinced and supported throughout — proof that transparency, even through difficult moments, builds trust.
The relaunch strategy
With time passed and fresh buyer interest entering the market, Allie moved quickly. She held multiple open homes in short succession, capitalising on the new pool of potential buyers.
Local buyers emerged — a family living nearby who saw the property’s dual occupancy potential as part of a long-term succession plan. They intend to rent the house in the short term, then eventually transition it to their young adult children as a pathway into the property market.
“It’s to help their own children get into the property market,” Allie explains.
That strategic family thinking made the property’s layout and location exactly right.
What buyers noticed
Across 71 groups through the property, one feature sparked more conversation than Allie expected: five different floor coverings throughout the house. Buyers found it either intriguing or off-putting — a reminder that what agents anticipate and what buyers actually comment on can diverge.
The Stafford Heights context
Stafford Heights is a leafy, elevated inner-north Brisbane suburb characterised by established post-war housing on generous blocks and a family-oriented atmosphere. The area offers practical access to Stafford City, Brookside, and Chermside Westfield shopping centres, with strong school catchments including Stafford Heights State School and Everton Park State High School nearby.
The forward view
For anyone considering a sale in Stafford Heights, Allie’s advice centres on adaptability.
“It’s important to keep track with what is happening in the market, as it is a moving beast, and we need to adjust strategy accordingly,” she says.
That willingness to pivot — and to stay honest with clients through the process — ultimately secured the result at 14 Hepburn Street.
About the Agent
Allie Coutts brings fourteen years of international experience and two decades working with people through change to her role at Atlas Brisbane. With a background in teaching and having guided more than 1500 individuals through transitions, Allie focuses on clear communication and genuine listening. Her approach centres on understanding what matters to each vendor before shaping a campaign around it. Visit Allie’s website for more information or call Allie on 0459317039.