Mahdi Tawakoli has secured $1.66 million for a four-bedroom French provincial house in Berwick through an off-market sale, matching the unique property with a local buyer after it stalled for 120 days with another agent.
Mahdi Tawakoli secured $1.66 million for a four-bedroom French provincial house in Berwick by matching a stalled listing with a buyer from his active database — proving that sometimes the best marketing strategy happens off the public radar.
The property had been on the market for 120 days without result when Mahdi identified it through PriceFinder data as a candidate for his off-market buyer pool.
The research-led approach
Mahdi had been working with a local buyer who had recently sold their previous property through him and was searching for something distinctive in Berwick. When he noticed the French provincial home had been withdrawn from active marketing, he saw an opportunity.
“I did my research, I saw that this buyer was looking in Berwick and I looked at which properties were on the market for over 90 days,” Mahdi said.
“I saw that this was on the market for 120 days and it came off the market eventually. I got in contact with the vendor, the vendor was still keen to sell.”
The buyer — a local who had attended one of Mahdi’s previous open homes — was immediately drawn to the property’s uniqueness. The French provincial design is rare in Berwick, and the combination of a resort-style pool and top-tier finishes made it a standout.
“It was a very unique property. It was a French provincial in Berwick, where there aren’t many around in the area. It had a very nice pool. It was top-of-the-range quality, it was one of a kind,” Mahdi said.
Managing expectations with data
The vendor’s initial price expectations were higher than market reality, influenced by previous advice. Mahdi took a professional but direct approach, presenting recent comparable sales alongside the buyer’s unconditional offer.
“When I took the offer to the vendor I obviously took some comparables with myself to show that this is a good offer for the property and this is what the market says it’s worth,” he said.
The vendor was hesitant at first, but the combination of hard data and an unconditional offer shifted the conversation.
“Once I showed them the comparables, they understood why this is the offer, and they got to understand slowly, this is realistically what their property is worth,” Mahdi said.
Lifestyle appeal meets strategic positioning
Berwick’s lifestyle subdivisions attract young families and established downsizers, with the suburb’s demographic split showing 53 percent aged 20–39 and strong demand for high-end finishes. Properties in the Centre Road corridor appeal to buyers seeking premium features and modern amenities within established school zones.
The unconditional advantage
What sealed the deal was the buyer’s willingness to proceed without conditions — a factor the vendor had prioritised even over achieving their original price target.
“When I took the offer from the buyer, it was an unconditional offer and I know that the vendor was looking for an unconditional offer even if it’s below what they were expecting,” Mahdi said.
The vendor had already purchased their next property, making certainty more valuable than holding out for a higher figure that might not materialise.
The final result brought relief on both sides — the vendor could move forward with their plans, and the buyer secured a property they genuinely loved.
About the Agent
Mahdi Tawakoli from LJ Hooker Dandenong City | Berlick brings energy and a client-first approach to real estate, with a focus on clear communication and honest advice. He specialises in solving complex situations and going beyond the transactional to deliver genuine value — from styling guidance to strategic negotiation. His work ethic and dedication have quickly built him a reputation as someone clients can trust. Visit Mahdi’s website for more information or call Mahdi on 0480116248.