Nathan Peters has sold a four-bedroom house at 84 Desmond Street, Cessnock for $810,000 after pivoting off-market to protect the sitting tenancy and secure an investor buyer through his buyer’s agent network.
The property had been on the market for 37 days when the tenants indicated they might leave if the sale continued publicly. The vendor was worried about the house sitting vacant, so Nathan proposed taking it off-market to reassure the tenants and target investors who’d retain the tenancy.
The pivot that protected the tenancy
Nathan took the listing off the public market and reached out to everyone who’d previously enquired, while also working through his investor database. He found a buyer’s agent he’d worked with on previous sales, who had a client interested in the Cessnock market.
“They were ecstatic,” Nathan said of the vendor’s reaction when he secured the investor buyer.
“They were a bit worried that they had come on at the wrong time, but by showing them that there were buyers out there that were especially interested in the property at the price that he was happy with, he was obviously ecstatic with that and happy to move forward.”
The sale settled around day 74 of the total campaign. The investor buyer agreed to keep the tenants in place, addressing the vendor’s primary concern while delivering a result that met their price expectations.
Why the off-market approach worked
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house on a 790-square-metre block offered exactly what the investor was seeking — an established tenancy in a family-oriented neighbourhood with strong rental demand. The property included parking for four vehicles, a fully fenced yard, and side access suited to boats or caravans.
Nathan’s existing relationship with the buyer’s agent meant he could move quickly once the decision to go off-market was made, rather than starting the buyer search from scratch.
The Cessnock market
Cessnock’s west end appeals to families and investors seeking established suburban living with rural outlooks and proximity to the Hunter Valley wine region. The street is quiet, private, and close to parkland, with comparable four-bedroom homes on mid-sized blocks selling in the $700,000–$850,000 range.
What Nathan would tell vendors today
“I would tell them that being at the right price and having the right marketing is the most crucial thing at the moment,” Nathan said.
“There’s a lot of properties out there that need a lot of work doing to them that are still trying to get too dear of a price. And if you have realistic expectations whilst obviously are still ambitious, you can get a pretty great result in the current market.”
The campaign demonstrates how matching strategy to the vendor’s actual concerns — not just pushing for volume or visibility — can deliver results that satisfy everyone involved.
About the Agent
Nathan Peters is a Sales Associate with LJ Hooker Cessnock, bringing a strong foundation in real estate after completing two years of industry training and obtaining his real estate licence. Working alongside experienced colleagues, he is committed to ongoing professional development while supporting buyers and sellers through the property process. Nathan is known for his approachable manner, attentive communication and focus on understanding each client’s individual needs. Visit Nathan’s website for more information or call Nathan on 0466636990.