Simone Chin has secured an undisclosed result for a four-bedroom Edwardian house in Kew after a 21-day campaign that saw a young family bid successfully from Japan during their holiday.
The Brighton-based agent, operating independently through Atria Real Estate, was brought in by executors specifically for her rigorous and personalised approach — and delivered a result above both reserve and range.
The preparation strategy
When Simone first inspected the deceased estate, she knew the property needed more than a quick tidy. She recommended fresh carpet, fresh paint, garden maintenance, and full staging — then project-managed every trade to make it happen.
“We listed in early February,” Simone says. “The family needed two weeks to clear out items they wished to retain. Then we had painters in for a two-week turnaround, followed by carpet and furniture installation.”
The attention to detail extended to handyman work, fixing various items around the house, and even changing all the light bulbs to warm, ambient lighting.
“We had the old curtains removed, so it just looked very fresh and contemporary,” she says. “It was a pleasure to show this house. It had a beautiful ambience.”
The executors trusted her judgment from the start, and were thrilled with how the transformation unfolded.
The buyer who bid from overseas
The successful buyers were a young family upgrading from a two-bedroom apartment. They’d been searching the area for a larger property and were drawn to the period home’s contemporary feel.
“They really loved the feel of the house, the light, the airiness and the space,” Simone says.
The timing added an unexpected element. The family left for a holiday in Japan the day before the auction, so Simone worked closely with them the week prior to ensure they were comfortable bidding by telephone.
“We did a lot of work with them to ensure they were comfortable,” she says. “They bid from Japan and were successful.”
The Kew context
Kew remains one of Melbourne’s most prized family neighbourhoods, where period homes command premium prices. The area’s blend of Edwardian character and modern appeal is particularly attractive to young families seeking space and light.
Auction day dynamics
Despite a rainy Saturday morning in Kew, three registered bidders assembled — two sets on the street and the successful buyers on the telephone from Japan.
“The atmosphere was calm,” Simone says. “We opened with our overseas buyers at the lower part of the range, then took bids in $25,000 lots and reached $1.65 million.”
The property passed in at that figure, and Simone went into negotiation with the phone bidders while the underbidders waited outside.
“We had a calm conversation just to see if they wanted to improve their position,” she says. “The underbidders were regrettably disappointed, but they were happy with the process and with the respect that was shown.”
The independent advantage
Simone’s approach reflects Atria Real Estate’s philosophy: senior negotiators handle every interaction, and the auctioneer is also the person engaging with buyers at all inspections.
“We feel that this is a great way for owners to be assured that nothing slips through the cracks,” she says. “There are fabulous market share agents in Kew, but we were an out-of-area agent brought on for our rigorous and personalised approach.”
Her advice for property owners considering a sale? “They need to appoint representation that is firm, caring and collaborative, so that any buyer interest can be fanned into warmer interest and brought to the table to perform when required.”
For this young family, the property will become a happy family home — exactly the outcome the executors hoped for when they trusted Simone’s preparation strategy.
About the Agent
Simone Chin is the founder of Atria Real Estate, a Brighton-based independent agency delivering exclusive, high-touch sales experiences. With a background as a professional ballet dancer and over a decade in the film industry, she brings discipline and artistry to every campaign. Since 2021, Atria has combined advanced marketing, powerful buyer networks, and discreet service to achieve exceptional results while supporting Girls From Oz, delivering performing arts programmes to young women in remote communities. Visit Simone’s website for more information or call Simone on +61403857266.