George Faris has secured $2.9 million for a three-bedroom semi-detached house at 20A McDougall Street, Kensington, after identifying the buyer with the strongest emotional connection to the area and navigating three competing parties through a volatile market.
The buyer psychology advantage
George thought 20A McDougall Street would sell before auction day. The three-bedroom semi in Kensington was exactly the kind of Eastern Suburbs property that typically attracts early commitment — but the market had other ideas.
“It’s such a beautiful home, I actually thought it would sell before auction,” George said.
“But with the market being the way it is, so volatile, the buyers were very cautious and reticent to make a move before auction. I think they were all feeling each other out.”
On auction day, three interested purchasers turned up — none with finance approval locked in. But George had already identified which buyer was most likely to proceed.
The local connection
One family stood out during inspections. They lived locally, had relatives in McDougall Street, and showed what George describes as a genuine emotional attachment to both the home and the street.
“I was able to work out there was a stronger emotional connection with them than probably any other buyer that was going to look at the property,” George said.
That insight became the foundation of the post-auction negotiation. While George approached all three parties professionally, the local family’s connection to the area gave him clarity about where the real opportunity sat.
“Through working with each of the interested buyers, we were able to work out where each buyer’s maximum price was. The cream rose to the top.”
The location advantage
Kensington sits about 5km south of Sydney’s CBD in the inner-east residential belt, with a predominantly low-density character shaped by proximity to UNSW and strong transport links along Anzac Parade. McDougall Street itself carries heritage significance, with Federation-era homes dotting the streetscape.
Managing expectations in a shifting market
The post-auction result of $2.9 million represented a recalibration for both George and his vendors, longtime clients Jeff and Robyn.
“I was hoping to get more for them, if I’m being very honest,” George said.
“But we all had to change our expectation and adjust our thinking because the market was moving so quickly. Sometimes you can’t control what happens outside of your little real estate universe.”
Jeff and Robyn, who had worked with George on multiple family transactions over the years, listened to his advice and made what George calls a smart decision when the right buyer was presented.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom semi with one car space exchanged about three weeks ago after five weeks on the market.
The loyalty factor
For George, securing a strong result for repeat clients carries extra weight.
“This is probably the third or fourth time I’ve transacted for them and their family members,” he said.
“Loyalty is a very precious and rare commodity in real estate. With people like them, you always want to get the best result because it means a lot that they’ve trusted me with another one of their family’s homes.”
About the Agent
George Faris from Sydney Realty Centre Rosebery has worked in the Eastern Suburbs real estate market for over 25 years, combining deep local knowledge with a client-focused approach built on trust and results. Known for his down-to-earth nature and commitment to exceeding expectations, George takes pride in helping clients navigate significant property milestones with care and professionalism. Visit George’s website for more information or call George on 0411386046.