Scott Rowe has sold a two-bedroom homette at 31B Koongarra Avenue in Magill for $900,000 in seven days — $100,000 above initial pricing expectations despite the property requiring a new kitchen and bathroom.
The strategy behind the speed
Scott Rowe sold a two-bedroom homette at 31B Koongarra Avenue in Magill for $900,000 in seven days, despite the property requiring extensive renovations. The campaign succeeded because Scott recognised when the right buyer emerged — even though it meant abandoning the planned auction.
The property needed a new kitchen and bathroom. A neighbouring home had sold in December for $927,000, but that one was fully renovated. Scott positioned this one around the low $800,000 mark given the required work.
“We thought making the low 800s would be a fair and reasonable result,” Scott said.
“We certainly didn’t expect that $900,000 to be on the table.”
The buyer who changed the plan
A couple relocating from New South Wales for work made the difference. Their lease ended mid-April, creating urgency to secure something quickly. They offered close to $900,000 and waived their cooling-off rights — signalling serious commitment.
Scott negotiated the offer up slightly to reach $900,000, then presented it to his vendor. She was surprised but immediately interested in accepting rather than proceeding to auction.
“The vendor was extremely excited and was sort of pointing us in the direction of selling prior to the auction just due to the significance of the offer,” Scott said.
Once word spread that the property was selling pre-auction, five more offers came through — all in the low $800,000s. That $100,000 gap between the accepted buyer and the rest of the market validated Scott’s decision to secure the deal.
What made it rare
The property sat on 383 square metres with Torrens title — unusual for a two-bedroom home in Magill, where most comparable properties are strata-titled units in groups.
“To have a Torrens title, two-bedroom homette on a decent sized parcel of land made it quite attractive to the broader market,” Scott said.
Downsizers, first-home buyers, and investors all inspected. Scott identified downsizers as particularly active but struggling to find suitable stock.
Magill’s appeal
Magill sits 7 kilometres east of Adelaide’s CBD, blending heritage architecture with tree-lined streets and proximity to the Mount Lofty Ranges. The suburb attracts professionals, families, and University of South Australia students, with median house prices around $650,000. The area’s relaxed lifestyle near parks and vineyards makes it popular with downsizers seeking character homes close to urban amenities.
The preparation
Scott staged the property before the first open inspections, recognising that high-quality photos would be essential for attracting buyers to a home needing work.
“If the property wasn’t staged, we probably wouldn’t have attracted that initial interest,” he said.
The strategy paid off with strong attendance at early viewings, creating the competitive environment that allowed Scott to recognise the strength of the eventual buyer’s position.
The vendor was delighted enough with the outcome to list her primary residence with Scott as well.
About the Agent
Scott Rowe is a Sales Executive with Ray White Glenelg, specialising in Adelaide’s south-western suburbs including Sturt and Morphettville. A long-time West Beach local now based in Sturt, Scott combines genuine community connection with skilled negotiation and modern marketing strategies. His approachable style and attention to detail ensure clients feel supported throughout their property journey. Visit Scott’s website for more information or call Scott on 0437739890.