Geoff Grist from Richardson & Wrench – Mosman/Neutral Bay has sold a one-bedroom unit at 31/2 Lindsay Street in Neutral Bay for $695,000 after 16 days on market, matching a comparable sale from six months earlier despite softening conditions.
A twenty-year relationship
When Geoff Grist’s phone rang with a familiar voice, it was the start of a campaign built on trust. The vendor had purchased the Neutral Bay unit through Geoff twenty years earlier and lived there ever since. Now she needed to sell quickly — her mother in Japan required care, and the settlement timeline was tight.
“She knew me and trusted me because I’d sold her the property 20 years ago,” Geoff said. “We’d stayed in touch from time to time, but nothing serious. So I was delighted when she contacted me to say she wanted to sell.”
The loyalty extended beyond the agent relationship. They returned to the same solicitor who had handled the original purchase two decades earlier.
The challenge in a down market
Geoff’s research showed a similar unit in the building had sold six months earlier for $695,000. The problem: the market had turned down since then. The vendor was prepared to accept less, but Geoff believed the full figure was still achievable with the right strategy.
“The goal was to get as many buyers through as possible and get the best offer on the table so she could move on with her life,” he said.
The property’s compact 40-square-metre footprint and lack of balcony meant it wouldn’t suit everyone. But it had two drawcards: a car space — highly valued in Neutral Bay — and a North Sydney CBD view through the kitchen window.
Marketing the kitchen sink view
Geoff created a video walkthrough to set expectations upfront, ensuring buyers understood the layout before inspecting. Then he positioned the view as the property’s standout feature.
“It’s often nice to have a view when you’re standing at the kitchen sink, and so that was part of the marketing — the view was from the kitchen sink where you do spend a bit of time,” Geoff said.
The approach worked. Twenty-three buyers came through in two weeks. The investor who ultimately purchased — a first-time buyer — wasn’t specifically searching in Neutral Bay. The kitchen sink view drew him to the building.
The buyer and the outcome
The young investor was attracted by the established building with no ongoing issues, the car space offering for future tenants, and that specific view. Geoff negotiated the full $695,000 — matching the six-month-old comparable despite market softness.
The relationship approach extended to settlement. The buyer agreed to take the refrigerator, solving a logistical problem for the vendor. Geoff also helped coordinate relocating furniture and belongings that weren’t travelling to Japan.
“She was delighted with the whole process,” he said.
Of the 23 buyers who inspected, most are still searching. A couple decided the unit was too small but have since secured something larger nearby. Geoff’s advice for those who missed out is clear: do your homework upfront to understand what’s available at different price points.
About Neutral Bay
Neutral Bay sits 5km from Sydney’s CBD on the Lower North Shore, offering harbourside appeal with tree-lined streets and a vibrant Military Road shopping and dining precinct. The suburb’s blend of period homes and modern apartments attracts professionals and downsizers seeking proximity to the city with a village atmosphere. Frequent buses and ferries provide a 20-minute commute to the CBD.
About the Agent
Geoff Grist has over 20 years’ experience in Mosman and Neutral Bay residential real estate, specialising in tailored campaigns designed to create buyer competition and maximise early momentum. He focuses on strategic positioning, high-impact marketing, and clear communication to help homeowners achieve above-market outcomes. Visit Geoff’s website for more information.