Cathryn Dudman from The Agency has sold a three-bedroom unit at 8 Allen Street, Waterloo, for $1,620,000 via private treaty after 12 days on market, following a hands-on renovation that attracted 47 inspections.
The property had been a long-term investment for Cathryn’s vendor, and it needed significant work before going to market. Cathryn took on the renovation management herself — coordinating new floorboards, carpet, painting, and a deep clean.
The biggest challenge was getting the colour match right. The property featured an engineered timber staircase, and finding floating floorboards that complemented rather than clashed with it required multiple suppliers and careful selection.
“The original floorboards were engineered timber, and trying to get floating floorboards in the colour match of the staircase was very challenging,” Cathryn says.
“We had a number of suppliers through and then finally settled on the right colour, which left the engineered timber staircase to present as a feature in the property against the brand new floating floorboards.”
The vendor trusted Cathryn’s judgment throughout, willing to invest in whatever she recommended to achieve the maximum return.
Positioning for families
Cathryn’s strategy was to present the 163-square-metre, two-level apartment as a house-like home rather than a typical unit. The styling, photography angles, and overall presentation emphasised the property’s scale and family appeal.
“It’s the renovations, the right styling and the photography at the right angles to really showcase the house-like feel of the apartment and make it more attractive to families given the size of the property,” Cathryn says.
That positioning worked. The campaign generated 47 inspections and seven contracts in just 12 days.
The buyer’s emotional connection
The buyer was a local woman purchasing with support from her father, who lives in regional New South Wales. She spent 20 minutes in the property during her first inspection and fell in love immediately. Her father visited separately to assess the property before giving his approval.
With seven contracts on the table, the buyer negotiated hard and stood out early with her enthusiasm and determination. Her offer was significantly stronger than the others, and Cathryn secured the deal prior to the scheduled auction.
Waterloo’s appeal
Waterloo sits in Sydney’s inner south, a culturally diverse suburb undergoing significant urban renewal with new residential towers and the upcoming Waterloo Metro Quarter. The area combines industrial heritage with modern apartment living, close to Sydney Park and the vibrant dining precincts of Alexandria and Zetland.
Vendor thrilled with outcome
The vendor was delighted throughout the campaign — from the renovation process through to the final result. He told Cathryn he was so impressed with the presentation that he wanted to move back into the property rather than sell it.
The sale allowed him to move forward with purchasing his next home following the birth of his baby.
“He really appreciated the strong traction throughout the campaign and the level of activity in such a short period. Having the property vacant meant inspections could be arranged at any time, which helped maximise buyer engagement and ultimately secure a standout result so he could move forward,” Cathryn says.
Cathryn’s advice for sellers
For property owners in Waterloo looking to sell, Cathryn’s approach offers a clear lesson: invest in presentation, position the property strategically for the right buyer profile, and bring energy and dedication to the campaign.
“Dedication, enthusiasm and just pure energy. You’ve got to really love what you do, present the property in its best possible light to get the best possible result,” she says.
About the Agent
Cathryn Dudman is a Property Partner at The Agency with a strong reputation for transparency, honesty, and integrity when handling clients’ most important assets. With extensive experience across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, and Inner City, she delivers an empathetic, customer-centric approach. Her genuine passion for property and commitment to exceeding client expectations make her a trusted advocate for vendors and buyers alike. Visit Cathryn’s website for more information or call Cathryn on 0451893663.