"We are experiencing an unprecedented level of enquiry for the 'off-market' Winter season."
Kay & Burton’s Portsea & Sorrento Director, Liz Jensen was only 19 years old when she bought her first business. It was a health and bulk food store located next to a real estate agency. One day it dawned on her that all those lentils didn’t amount to a hill of beans compared to selling houses.
Now, with over 30 years in the industry, her extensive knowledge and understanding of the Peninsula has earned Liz her reputation as the local industry expert in Portsea, Sorrento, and Blairgowrie.
Liz has sold properties worth millions but can achieve the same buzz from the sale of a boatshed.
Liz loves her children, her grandchildren and sailing. She also loves this ‘beautiful slip of land’ that is her Sorrento and Portsea home.
Source: Kay & BurtonWhat are your predictions for the 2020 luxury market with the current restrictions and beyond?
Contrary to our expectations at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and apart from a quiet couple of weeks initially, we are now experiencing an unprecedented level of enquiry for what we, on the Southern Mornington Peninsula, refer to as the “off-market” Winter season.
It has become apparent that new buyers to the marketplace, who are Melbourne based and mostly with young to late teenage children, are realising that they will likely not travel overseas for years to come and are now exploring Portsea, Sorrento and Blairgowrie in search of an appropriate family retreat outside of Melbourne.
What advice you would give to vendors for the best outcome?
Seize this opportunity as we identify strong new buyers, together with our local market interest. Have your property well-presented over this usually stagnant, cold Winter season and prepare for timely opportunities to allow spontaneous inspections. Pay attention to how friendly and content the locals and holiday makers are, we live in an extraordinarily supportive and happy community.
What advice do you give buyers?
Take the time to investigate our Villages, shopping strips, bay and ocean beaches, (pubs and clubs when they reopen), and everything the Mornington Peninsula has to offer close by. Keep an open mind and look within the estimated selling price range to secure the perfect property.
12 Derrick Street Blairgowrie for sale by Liz Jensen of Kay & Burton. Source: Kay & BurtonThe majority of our Vendors are willing to entertain new introductions and although not desperate to sell, they are extremely motivated in some cases.
What are buyers saying?
Prospective Purchasers are utilising the current circumstances to look around and seem genuinely committed to secure a family property, not only for immediate enjoyment but also as a long-term generational asset. We are all thinking that the World has changed and staying local may be ongoing.
Source: Kay & Burton
What changes (if any) have you noticed in buyers and sellers since the COVID-19 situation?
The delightful aspect of these new enquiries and property viewings is that younger children have been well briefed by their parents to look and not touch while walking around the homes, this is very refreshing to previous practices! Otherwise, there is still a tendency to make low offers in the first instance until the buyer realises that the Vendor will not treat at these kind of levels. They then promptly change their attitude to polite negotiations.
Where do you see demand coming from?
Demand is mostly from Melbourne metropolitan and local areas.
Are they typically looking to buy holiday homes or permanent residential?
As mentioned, they are looking mostly for holiday retreats with the intention of that property becoming a semi-permanent or permanent home in the future.
Source: Kay & BurtonWhat are your interests outside of real estate?
I enjoy everything about our area, from sunrise through the day to sunset, whether walking the beaches and coastal tracks, working with the holiday makers and permanent residents and if I am able to jump on a sailing boat to see our beautiful slip of land from the water, I am always up for that adventure in any weather.
Boatshed F16 Fishermans Beach Portsea sold by Liz Jensen. Source: Kay & Burton
What is one thing you have learned over your years as a luxury agent?
Like everything in life, we all have a different interpretation of what luxury actually means to us, a substantial Clifftop property is highly aspired to down here however sometimes these are simple, tasteful holiday homes where memories have been made over generations. Otherwise we have spectacular properties which would be at home in Toorak or The Hamptons on Long Island, typical holiday homes and beach shacks or permanent residences close to the Township and Villages, all of these providing a sense of luxury and well-being to their owners.
For more information about 12 Derrick Street Blairgowrie, email Liz Jensen via the contact details below.
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