Jake Gardam sold a three-bedroom house at 2/34 Crosss Road in Traralgon, Victoria for $650,000 after just five days on market, using a strategic social media preview to test buyer appetite before official launch.
Testing the market before launch
Jake Gardam sold a three-bedroom house at 2/34 Crosss Road in Traralgon, Victoria for $650,000 after just five days on market, using a strategic social media preview to test buyer appetite before official launch.
Rather than going straight to public listing, Jake released a limited preview through his Instagram channel – a couple of internal photos and basic property information designed to create curiosity without fully exposing the listing. The approach generated six off-market inquiries from local buyers and allowed Jake to conduct multiple inspections with genuine, motivated prospects.
“The intention at that stage wasn’t to sell off-market,” Jake said.
“It was to test the depth of the market, gather feedback, and build momentum before officially launching.”
The strategy worked. After coordinating inspections directly via Instagram and receiving positive feedback, Jake made the decision with the vendors to officially launch to market, knowing competition was already established.
What buyers noticed
The property’s proximity to Traralgon’s leading schools proved the decisive factor – something Jake identified as the main marketing angle when he took the listing. Buyer feedback during inspections confirmed his read: the overall size of the 718m2 block, the scale of the three-bedroom, two-bathroom house, and the additional shed space were exactly what local families wanted.
Traralgon’s location within school catchment areas made the property particularly attractive to young families seeking educational access alongside space and amenity.
In total, 16 interested buyers emerged during the campaign. Most of the unsuccessful buyers are still looking for properties in the area.
The local market view
Jake’s on-the-ground perspective contradicts broader market headlines. Despite rising interest rates and cost-of-living pressures, local property interest remains remarkably high.
“We’re finding that properties under $650,000 are typically selling off-market with zero spend on advertising,” Jake said.
“Local first-home buyers are still dominating our area, ideally looking for properties around that $500,000 mark.”
The eventual buyers – a local family with young children purchasing their first home – secured what Jake describes as their dream property in a challenging market with competition at all-time highs.
For the vendors, the campaign delivered surprises. Jake’s initial market appraisal came in well above their expectations.
“The property is of great scale and design, which I don’t think they truly appreciated until they got that feedback from the market,” Jake said.
What worked
For property owners considering selling in Traralgon, Jake recommends a measured approach: trial an off-market campaign first using existing databases mixed with social media promotion, gather feedback on both the campaign and price expectations, then make an informed decision about whether to launch publicly or sell discreetly off-market.
The social media testing strategy allows vendors to understand genuine market appetite before committing to advertising spend – particularly valuable in a market where sub-$650,000 properties are moving quickly through word-of-mouth and digital channels.
About the Agent
Jake Gardam from Keith Williams Real Estate has built a reputation since 2016 for tailored campaigns and results-driven strategy. His strong social media presence creates significant exposure for listings, helping sellers achieve standout outcomes through a genuine, personalised approach that guides every step from initial strategy through to successful sale. Visit Jake’s website for more information or call Jake on 0412 594 439.