Onel Hawil has secured $910,000 for a two-bedroom weatherboard house in Glenroy through an off-market campaign built on six months of buyer relationship management and strategic negotiation.
The six-month preparation
Onel sold the two-bedroom weatherboard house at 30 Acacia Street for $910,000 through an off-market strategy that began six months before the property became available.
The buyer had been searching for development opportunities across Melbourne’s inner north, and Onel maintained regular contact throughout that period, building a detailed understanding of their investment criteria.
“They were looking for a property with development potential, and I thought this was a match for this property as well,” Onel said.
The 620-square-metre block offered subdivision potential, positioning the property well above Glenroy’s established housing stock in terms of future value.
The negotiation strategy
The buyer’s opening offer came in at $800,000 – standard positioning for a development play where land value calculations matter more than dwelling condition.
Onel’s approach combined hard data with emotional engagement.
“We ran the calculations per square metre due to recent sales, as well as the location and development potential. I kept touching on the emotional attraction to the property, and it helped justify the reasoning,” he said.
The negotiation moved methodically from $800,000 to the final $910,000 figure – a $110,000 increase that reflected both the land’s subdivision potential and Onel’s ability to articulate value beyond pure metrics.
Glenroy’s inner-north appeal
Glenroy sits about 13 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, offering a family-oriented, multicultural community with strong rail connectivity via the Craigieburn line. The suburb combines post-war housing stock with newer townhouse development, appealing to first-home buyers, families, and investors seeking accessible inner-north living. Research shows the area’s median house price around $765,000 to $800,000, with values rising steadily over the past 12 months.
Winning through persistence
The sellers had considered multiple agencies with longer-established local presences, but Onel’s prompt responses and demonstrated suburb knowledge secured the appointment.
“My persistence and my prompt response and suburb knowledge helped them select. It was a bit of a random selection, as they said. However, they were over the moon with the result,” he said.
The outcome validates an approach that prioritises buyer relationships over public marketing spend.
What it means for Glenroy sellers
Onel’s advice to property owners considering a sale focuses on buyer readiness rather than market timing.
“Every property is worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. As long as you have a buyer that can afford to pay the price the owner’s wanting, you just have to make sure they are emotionally attached to the property,” he said.
That philosophy – combining financial capacity with emotional connection – underpinned both the six-month nurturing period and the negotiation that followed.
About the Agent
Onel Hawil is a Senior Sales Consultant & Auctioneer with VICPROP. Onel specialises in Brunswick in Glenroy, Hadfield, and Coburg North, bringing a client-first approach built on strategic marketing and honest communication. He combines local market knowledge with persistent follow-through, creating personalised campaigns designed to achieve premium results. Onel focuses on building lasting relationships and keeping clients informed throughout every step of the sale process. Visit Onel’s website for more information or call Onel on 0421850086.