Francois Duverge has secured a $700,000 sale for a two-bedroom villa in Woy Woy after finding a buyer willing to navigate probate delays and licensing agreements during an emotionally complex family transaction.
When everything changed mid-campaign
Francois Duverge was four weeks into marketing a two-bedroom villa at Unit 4, 67 Ocean Beach Road in Woy Woy when his vendor’s mother passed away. The property had been the mother’s home before she moved into aged care, and the sale was already emotionally weighted. The death changed everything.
“The sale became subject to probate, meaning settlement could not proceed until probate was granted,” Francois explains.
“The uncertainty around timing caused some buyers to walk away.”
Rather than restart the campaign, Francois stayed focused on finding a buyer whose circumstances could accommodate the complexity.
The buyer who was willing to wait
That buyer turned out to be a single woman selling her own property in Sydney. She fell in love with the villa — and was prepared to work with the probate timeline.
“She was even willing to move in under a licence agreement if probate was delayed beyond the settlement of her own property,” Francois says.
That flexibility was rare. Most buyers had walked away when they understood settlement timing was uncertain. But for this purchaser, the property was worth the wait.
The match didn’t happen by accident. Francois spent time explaining each option and scenario to both parties, working closely with the vendor’s solicitor to keep everyone aligned as the transaction moved through probate.
What the location offered
Ocean Beach Road sits in an established low-density residential pocket of Woy Woy, close to the train station, Deepwater Plaza, Woy Woy Hospital, and the Peninsula Leisure Centre. The leafy coastal neighbourhood attracts downsizers and owner-occupiers seeking convenience without high-rise density — comparable villa stock in nearby streets trades between $660,000 and $730,000.
The single-level layout and proximity to amenities appealed to the Sydney buyer, who was looking for a more relaxed coastal lifestyle.
Guiding a family through grief
For the vendor, losing their mother during the campaign made an already emotional sale significantly heavier. Francois’s role extended well beyond marketing.
“As this was completely new territory for my vendor, I spent time explaining each option and possible scenario,” he says.
“Both the vendor and buyer were very happy with the outcome.”
The property went under contract on 8 July 2026 for $700,000 after 56 days on market. Settlement followed once probate was granted.
What this demonstrates for other family sales
For property owners facing similar circumstances — selling a parent’s home while dealing with grief or probate — Francois’s approach offers a clear lesson: the right buyer is worth waiting for, and transparency about complexity doesn’t weaken a campaign if the agent can guide both parties through the process.
“I would relate to this unique sale and explain the situation, and make things easy for them,” Francois says.
In this case, that meant finding a purchaser whose emotional connection to the property outweighed the inconvenience of uncertain timing — and supporting both sides until the transaction reached completion.
About the Agent
Francois is a results-driven professional with over 20 years of international sales experience, known for his integrity and commitment to achieving outstanding outcomes. He takes pride in understanding each client’s unique goals and delivering a seamless experience built on trust and clear communication. A proud family man, Francois enjoys the outdoor lifestyle with his wife and daughters. Visit Francois’s website for more information 0487342467.