Happy Clients

“Selling our house was a last minute decision on a slow Saturday afternoon. We did try to sell previously but it was not the same market as now, houses in 2010/11 (including ours) were sitting longer on the shelf than Mrs Havisham. 18 Months later and the plan was to put in a new kitchen, live in the house for a couple of years more and then try to sell again. Then the quotes came in for the new kitchen and we both went “oh”. Did we need the cost and disruption? Two separate, very good friends of ours had just sold their Devonport/Takapuna homes with Jane and Jackie and our next door neighbour rang to say she was listing with them too – within the next two weeks. As they were coming to look at the neighbours’ house on the Sunday, Colin asked Jane and Jackie to give us a valuation too – especially with regards to the kitchen replacement possibility and value added (if any). They were happy to advise him and told him two things of interest – the housing market had definitely changed to the Sellers favour and our kitchen was perfectly shiny as it was (which was nice). By Monday we had made the decision to sell. Harcourts had a great auction/advertising/photography package on offer and we signed with Jane by the Tuesday – Jackie had gone on a well-earned holiday for 2 weeks so Jane was flying solo. The House was cleaned, photos were beautifully and professionally taken, an open-home timetable organised, marketing board went up, advertising sorted, etc and all this organised by Jane (except the cleaning, sadly we had to do that ourselves). From first approaching with Jane to the first open home, it took just two weeks. Also, we had the added problem of being pre-booked to be away in Rotorua for the first open home Saturday. Jane took this in her stride, showing a client round on Thursday whilst on the Friday she phoned to ask where we keep our vases, she was at the house with a huge bunch of flowers which was a lovely touch and one that she and Jackie do for all of their clients apparently. We arrived home on the Saturday afternoon to a peaceful, clean house and a card to say that 20 groups had been through so far. On the Sunday open home Jane asked us if we’d be available on the Monday as she had an offer already – from her Thursday client. The offer was a good one and the auction was brought forward to the Tuesday, 3 weeks before the original auction date. Jackie was back from holiday and met us both for the first time and the house was sold by Tuesday at 6 o’clock – 7 days from first listing! It was just us, the auctioneer, Jane, Jackie and Kevin from Harcourts, the buyer and her daughter. All very civilised as we smiled and talked about our mums. It was a painless experience, if a little surreal and fast, for which we were grateful. Jane kept us in the loop the entire time, worked hard and was professional and friendly at all times. We would not hesitate to recommend Jane and Jackie to others – we only had one of them working for us, imagine what you could do with two!”

Colin, Penny (and Fern) MacArthur