Buying your first home in Sydney can feel like navigating a maze — open homes, endless listings, confusing contracts, and the dreaded question: “Am I paying too much?”
That’s exactly how Amanda, a first-home buyer in her late 30s, felt when she reached out to me. She’d been scrolling through listings for months, frustrated by how quickly properties were selling and uncertain about how to tell a good buy from a bad one. She would inspect homes only to find they were just about to go under contract, or else they’d sell for above her budget, or they’d have hidden issues. She spent hundreds of dollars on strata reports and had had her lawyer review 5 contracts. She developed a mis-trust for sales agents.
She knew she wanted something that would fit her now — a comfortable home to live in for a few years — but also something that could grow with her, ideally turning into an investment property down the track.
That’s where I came in.
This is the story of Amanda’s journey from enquiry to keys — and how I helped her find, evaluate and secure her perfect Sydney home with confidence and ease.
Step 1: The Enquiry – Taking the First Step 🚀
Amanda first found me through a Google search for “buyer’s agents in Sydney Inner West.” She’d heard of buyer’s agents before but wasn’t entirely sure what we did or how we differed from real estate agents.
Our “Start Your Property Journey” form made it simple. Amanda completed a short online enquiry, and within 24 hours, we were chatting through her goals, budget and property needs. Amanda was really impressed that our fee structure allowed her to start the service for a very low fee - it helped her to re-establish trust, build a rapport with me and see the true value in the service before committing thousands of dollars.
Step 2: Getting to Know Amanda’s Needs 🎯
Our next step was to dig deep into Amanda’s goals. We call this phase the Property Brief, and our briefing process is very thorough! Amanda’s priorities were:
A one-bedroom apartment in the Inner West.
Character and charm — not a “cookie-cutter” high-rise.
Walkability to cafés, public transport, shops and the harbour.
Potential for strong rental demand in a few years.
Something cosy and homely.
We discussed different suburbs like Balmain, Leichhardt, Erskineville, Enmore, Petersham and Marrickville, weighing up the pros and cons of each in terms of capital growth, lifestyle, risk and rental return.
We also completed a feasibility study to ensure her goals aligned with her budget and the market.
This stage is where our expertise truly shines — it’s not just about listing suburbs; it’s about aligning your dream with realistic, data-backed possibilities.
Step 3: Shortlisting – Turning the Search Into Strategy 🔍
Once we had Amanda’s brief locked in, it was time to start the hunt.
Unlike traditional buyers who rely only on online listings, we sourced properties across all channels — pre-market, off-market and publicly listed.
This approach gave Amanda a genuine advantage. Instead of chasing homes that had already gone viral on realestate.com.au, in some cases, we were inspecting properties that hadn’t even hit the public market yet.
Within a week, we had a shortlist of six solid contenders. Each one was carefully vetted before being presented.
One in particular caught Amanda’s attention:
a beautiful Art Deco apartment in Balmain, tucked away on a quiet, leafy street but still moments from Darling Street cafés.
It was charming, well-maintained and priced within her range — but it was attracting serious attention.
Step 4: Property Evaluation – Because Knowledge Is Power 📊
Before we made any moves, we conducted a thorough property evaluation. This step is about removing guesswork and emotion and replacing it with hard data.
Here’s what we covered for Amanda:
Comprehensive property report: Using professional data from CoreLogic RP Data and APM PriceFinder, we analysed recent sales of similar Art Deco apartments in Balmain, Rozelle and Drummoyne.
Strata review: We ordered the full strata report and reviewed the building’s financials and maintenance history. No red flags — just a well-managed building with healthy sinking funds.
Price appraisal: I used advanced data to assess the likely selling price.
Investment potential: My report also included rental estimates, likely yield, potential for renovation and future capital growth indicators.
Armed with this information, Amanda could make decisions based on facts, not just feelings.
When we discussed our findings, she said,
“I finally feel like I actually understand what I’m buying. Before, I just felt lost.”
That’s exactly what I aim for.
Step 5: Negotiation & Contract Exchange – Cutting to the Chase 💼
The selling agent had already received a few strong enquiries, there were six contracts out and the property was heading toward an auction unless it sold prior. We knew the vendor was motivated and decided to negotiate before auction day.
Here’s the advantage of having a buyer’s agent:
I speak agent-to-agent. There’s no emotional attachment, no nerves, no second-guessing. Just facts, confidence and negotiation skill.
Within 48 hours, after some strategic back-and-forth, we secured Amanda’s dream apartment before auction — at $15,000 below the expected hammer price. I had lined all our ducks in a row so that everything could come together at the same time - contract review and negotiations, strata report and review, due diligence, price appraisal and additional inspections (I’m very thorough). We had no bidding wars, no sleepless nights — just a calm, professional process.
Step 6: Post-Purchase – From Contract to Keys 🗝️
Even after exchange, my role doesn’t stop.
I stayed by Amanda’s side right through to settlement, liaising with her conveyancer and the selling agent to ensure everything went smoothly.
On settlement day, we conducted a pre-settlement inspection to check that the property was in the same condition as at exchange — clean, intact, everything working and ready for move-in.
Settlement went through without incident and Amanda and I went to pick up the keys. The look of sheer excitement on Amanda’s face was priceless.
“I still can’t believe this is mine. Thank you for making it happen.”
The Outcome – A Dream Home and a Smart Investment 🌟
Amanda’s new Balmain apartment ticked every box:
✅ Character and charm — beautiful original Art Deco features.
✅ Prime location — cafés, ferries, and city access.
✅ Solid long-term value — strong rental demand and limited supply.
✅ Peace of mind — every aspect researched and negotiated by professionals.
She’s now happily settled in, enjoying her balcony mornings and village lifestyle — and she knows that when the time comes to move on, her home will perform strongly as an investment property.
That’s the beauty of buying strategically from the start.
From Enquiry to Keys – The Process That Works Every Time
For every client, whether it’s a first home, a family upgrade or an investment, our “Enquiry to Keys” process follows the same trusted steps:
Start Your Property Journey – enquire online, get your free quote and get started for a very low engagement fee.
Property Brief – we’ll define your goals, clarify your vision and set realistic parameters.
Shortlisting – identify quality properties that meet your needs.
Property Evaluation – comprehensive research and due diligence to remove the guesswork.
Negotiation & Exchange – expert strategy, negotiation, and contract handling.
Post-Purchase Support – ensuring settlement runs smoothly from start to finish.
It’s a complete, transparent process — one that saves you time, stress, and money.
Why Work With a Buyer’s Agent?
Buying in Sydney is complex. With high demand, fast-moving listings, and emotional competition at every turn, it’s easy to make rushed or costly mistakes.
Having a buyer’s agent means having a professional in your corner—someone whose sole focus is your success.
At Melissa Maimann Buyer’s Agent, we don’t just chase listings. We build relationships, listen carefully and use our experience and networks to help clients make informed, confident purchase decisions.
Amanda’s story is just one of many, but the formula for success remains the same:
knowledge + strategy + care = great outcomes.
Ready to Begin Your Own “From Enquiry to Keys” Journey?
Whether you’re a first-home buyer like Amanda or a seasoned investor looking for your next opportunity, we’re here to make the process seamless and successful.
👉 Start your property journey today.
Enquire online for your free quote and discover how a professional buyer’s agent can help you find — and secure — your perfect property in Sydney.