Bryce Gibson has secured $525,000 for a two-bedroom unit in Aberdare after a strategic campaign that pivoted from off-market outreach to targeted open homes, delivering the result vendors needed to proceed with their own purchase.
The challenge for Bryce Gibson at Unit 1/7 Mulbring Street wasn’t finding interested buyers – it was converting initial hesitation into confident offers. The vendors were purchasing simultaneously, making timing critical.
The strategic pivot
Bryce began with an off-market approach, working through his database of qualified buyers over 7-10 days through phone calls and emails. When that didn’t produce the right match, he pivoted to on-market with two weekends of open homes.
“We had a clear plan from the beginning, and when certain milestones were met, we were able to pivot to get an outcome of the best possible price in the shortest possible time,” Bryce said.
The shift opened the property to first-home buyers who became the campaign’s primary target market.
Turning concern into confidence
What happened at those open homes revealed an unexpected buyer education opportunity. Strata levies dominated early conversations – not surprising given recent changes across New South Wales that had buyers cautious about ongoing costs.
But when Bryce explained what those levies actually covered, hesitant first inspections converted into confident second viewings.
“Most buyers were not sure on what is covered in your strata levies,” Bryce said.
“Once that was clearly explained and understood, more buyers felt comfortable with the cost associated with strata living.”
The education worked. A first-home buyer moved forward with an offer that progressed smoothly through negotiation.
Location appeal
Aberdare sits within Cessnock, appealing to a diverse mix of families, professionals and retirees drawn to its character homes and newer developments. With a younger demographic profile and amenities including nearby schools and medical facilities, the suburb is experiencing growing demand that’s pushing rental prices toward Newcastle levels.
Perfect timing for vendors
The 21-day timeline proved crucial for the vendors, who were purchasing another property simultaneously.
“The owners were relieved to get a result as they were also purchasing a property at the same time,” Bryce said.
“Whilst they were excited to get a great price, they also knew that if they exchanged contracts quickly on this one, it allowed them to purchase another one.”
The two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit with single garage delivered exactly what the vendors needed – a strong price achieved within the timeframe that kept their own purchase plans on track.
For Bryce, the campaign demonstrated the value of strategic flexibility. Starting off-market allowed him to test the database quietly. When that didn’t yield results, shifting to on-market with targeted weekend inspections brought the right buyer into the frame.
The first-home buyer’s willingness to be educated on strata value turned initial concern into competitive confidence – exactly the shift needed to close the deal.
About the Agent
Bryce Gibson is the owner of LJ Hooker Cessnock, bringing over 25 years of experience and deep local market knowledge to the Hunter Valley. A Certified Practising Valuer and winner of the prestigious Sir Leslie Hooker Award in 2025, Bryce leads an agency recognised as Small Agency of the Year by the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales in both 2022 and 2025. His strategic, measured approach combines strong negotiation with tailored marketing campaigns designed to maximise competition and sale outcomes. Visit Bryce’s website for more information or call Bryce on 0422 227 668.