When Luke and Melanie Kristen recently sold their Gainsborough home through Ray White Kiama, the moving van didn't have to travel far to their new house.
In fact, it was only a short drive down the same street, Newing Circuit.
“We love it here. It’s got a real community feel,” says Mel.
“I also like the fact it’s so close to Minnamurra Public School, which is where I went to school.”
Luke and Mel have two little ones - four-year-old Matilda and two-year-old Brodie - with their third only weeks away. The move to a bigger home - or a ‘swimming pool with a house’, as Matilda likes to think of it - creates plenty of space for the growing family.
The couple first bought in Gainsborough about ten years ago, having moved back to Kiama from Victoria. (Mel grew up here, and Luke completed his schooling at Kiama High).
Their recent move is their third purchase within the Gainsborough estate - and their fourth buying/selling experience with Ray White Kiama.
They sold their first home in Hoskings Crescent through Ray White two and a half years ago, then purchased off Ray White in Newing Circuit.
When they outgrew that home earlier this year, they had no hesitation in going back to Ray White to put it on the market.
And as fortune would have it, their new home just happened to be listed with….you guessed it.
We asked Luke and Mel about their experience working with the Ray White Kiama team.
How did you come to choose Ray White Kiama in the first place?
Luke: When we first started looking around here, their signs seemed to be everywhere – so we knew they had good market share.
Mel: We’d also met Rob (Moore) at an inspection and really liked him. We felt very comfortable with him straight away.
Have you been happy with the results?
Luke: Hoskings Crescent sold the first day it was on the market, and at full price. Our last place at Newing Circuit took a little longer, but we couldn't fault the process. It was marketed really well. It was on the cover of the Ray White Kiama Property Guide, and we had something like 55 groups go through.
What’s the best selling advice you've been given?
Luke: Have the house 100 per cent ready, in terms of presentation, when you go to market. Even if it does mean waiting a little longer.
What was it like working with individual members of the Ray White team?
Luke: Different agents would show their clients through and give us feedback. It was obvious they were speaking to each other, because they were always on the same page. Everyone knew what was going on.
Mel: After an open house you’d find a card with a little message about what had happened, and they’d follow up with a call. Rob was even ringing us from Sydney Airport before he jumped on a plane to go on holidays.
Luke: It was the same when we bought, more so because Ray White was handling the property we were purchasing. It made the whole thing seamless.
Having had experience as both a buyer and a seller, what’s the thing you most value in your relationship with an agent?
Mel: Communication is the key.
Luke: …and following through. Selling a home is stressful enough without having to chase the agent. Ray White has been great in that regard.
Why do you like living where you live?
Luke: We both work in Wollongong so we could live closer, but we like getting back here.
Mel: People around here are generally terrific. There’s definitely a community feel to the place. It’s not often you go up to the shops and don’t get a hello from someone.
