How it Works

Vendor Advocacy – Initial Consultation:

As one of Melbourne’s most trusted vendor advocacy service, we are here to help you plan a strategy to get the most out of selling your home. Our 1 Hour Property Consultation is FREE with NO OBLIGATION.

In our initial meeting we review your personal needs and situation. We sit down with you and listen to your wants and needs/goals as well as address any concerns you may have about the sales process.

In his way, we make sure that our vendor advocacy services align with your goals.

We explain carefully how our vendor advocacy service works and why we are different from other vendor advocates in Melbourne and real estate agents. We also explain how this service benefits only our client, the seller.

Review Your Home and Advise:

During our initial FREE consultation, we carefully review and consider the appearance of your home, inside and out. We take considerable notes about your home and offer suggestions on how to best present the property during the sale. We leave no stone unturned and are extremely thorough.

Where required we can also provide numerous highly skilled trades which have been tried and proven. This includes painters, carpenters, carpet layers as well as handymen.

We can also provide the services of a property stylist at no extra cost to you. They can review your property and offer further advice on how to best present the home to improve the photography and attract a greater number of buyers when on the market.

Finding the Best Agent for You:

Once we know the vendor’s expectations, we will find the best agent who can work with us and the client to maximise the property price.

When finding and choosing the best agent, it’s not the agency and the brand we engage but the agent who will be most trusted and suited to helping the owner achieve the best market price. We believe this is the first major step in our vendor advocacy role for our seller which ensures the process of running a successful sale.

We shortlist three agents which view the property first then we conduct a one on face-to-face interview with each one, asking them pertinent questions about price, commission, marketing, target market etc. We then provide the owner three digital reports which including the agent’s opinion of value, a proposed marketing plan with costs and commission.

While this process can take time it is thorough and identifies the agent who is going to negotiate the best result, is going to be effective, has strong communication skills and can work hard to maximise the selling price.

By making this selection process so rigorous, the decision of finding the right agent is made that much easier and eliminates any added pressure of making a mistake.

We believe this is the first major step in our vendor advocacy role for our seller which ensures the process of running a successful sale.

Running the Marketing Campaign:

Although most copywriters have the best intention when writing the advertisement for your home, we consistently find they miss key selling points about your home which could cost you thousands.

During our initial meeting with you where we viewed and discussed your home, we identify the best features of your home which would attract the highest number of buyers and competition.

In the ad copy we highlight these important features in the heading and opening sentence and paragraph. We make sure, in consultation with you that everything you love about your home and location is highlighter and not left out.

It’s not just set and forget with our vendor advocacy service. We strategically order certain types of photos which have been proven to attract a greater number of buyers online.

Once the ad copy and photos have been completed and sent for proofing and in consultation with you, we make changes any adjustments required then select the best photos for marketing

We are highly detailed and make sure your home is presented online in the best possible way.

Strong Reporting and Communication:

One of the biggest complaints home sellers tell us when they sell their home is the lack of communication from the agent.

Working with our vendor advocacy service the selected agent must guarantee that they will call after every open to report on the numbers and feedback.

The agents we choose are also required to send a weekly feedback report and have multiple meetings either in person or via a conference call/Zoom to discuss the progress of the sale.

As well as this, we communicate with our sellers at least 3-4 times a week and promptly return calls and texts.

Negotiating with the Vendor:

Whether the property is being sold via Auction or Private Sale/ Expression of Interest we will always stand by the vendor’s side to ensure they achieve the maximum price and settlement to suit their situation. Using our vendor advocacy service the owner will have over 25 years experience alongside them to ensure the best result.

We are highly trained in the art of negotiation, having commenced and trained as a real estate agent under the Jenman system. We have undertaken numerous negotiating, psychological and body language courses and have conducted thousands of hours of role play to become proficient at negotiations.

During the campaign we track the enquiry and website numbers as well as look at what other properties are competing against the seller’s home. We also look at what is happening in the market from an economic level. To make the right decision on price it is important to be well informed.

When it comes to negotiating at Auction or Private Sale the vendor will be fully aware as to who the interested buyers are, their price range, settlement and deposit terms.

We will then advise the vendor when to put the property on the market if at auction and strategise during negotiations to ensure the buyers are pushed to their maximum price.

Assisting in Liaising and Final Inspection:

Our job doesn’t end when you are sold.

Unlike other vendor advocates in Melbourne and real estate agents the home owner will continue to hear from us until after the property has settled.

The property sale may be subject to finance and or a building inspection, which is very common in a private sale situation.

Our job is to chase these outstanding conditions so that the contract is fulfilled unconditionally and the risk is minimised while still on the market. Getting this wrong could not only cost the owner a sale but also the loss of the advertising campaign which could be in the thousands of dollars.

We also follow up with the agent to ensure the deposit is paid in full and has cleared and sitting in the real estate agent’s trust account.

If a Section 27 has been acknowledged by the buyer we ensure that the deposit is released 28 days after signing or being served. For some people having an early release of this money is very important as they may have bills to pay or need to use the money for their next purchase.

One or two weeks from settlement the buyer will call to book a time for a final inspection, we also arrange this in coordination with vendor and the agent. If there is an issue found we will act on the vendor’s behalf and work with the solicitor/conveyancer work to ensure a favourable outcome so that the purchaser does not pull out of the sale.

On settlement day we will advise the owner when this has been affected. We ensure that settlement has occurred successfully and that you have received the funds in your account as expected.

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Google Rating

4.9

Based on 35 reviews

Street Advocate

4.9

J Dick

05:46 20 Jul 23

Outstanding ResultAlthough I had bought and sold properties previously, it was evident from the initial meeting with Peter Sarmas, that his service would enhance my prospect of a profitable sale. Peter’s in-depth knowledge of the property market, strategic thinking and problem solving enabled me to make informed decisions at each stage of the selling process. I encourage you to speak with Peter to learn how his service is available at no additional cost to the seller.Peter’s knowledge, communication skills and genuine commitment to his clients resulted in a smooth selling process and excellent sale price for the property. I will utilise Peter’s services in future property transactions.

Andrea

07:34 09 Jul 23

We recently engaged Peter Sarmas from Street Advocate to help us sell our rental property in Melbourne. Peter interviewed three agents, and helped us select one. Peter strongly recommended doing some basic renovations to the property, even though some of the agents were doubtful. Peter then did an amazing job in organising trades to renovate the old weatherboard home in just 10 days, including repainting the inside of the house, landscaping the neglected garden, putting up a rear fence, and staging the property with a furniture stylist. The house and garden were transformed. We went to auction in just four weeks, and it sold for well above our reserve price. We were blown away. The renovation was worth every penny, and we really appreciate Peter’s sound advice. We live in Wodonga, and Peter handled everything for us in Melbourne. I was very surprised at how stress free the whole process was. Peter’s services did not cost us any extra, as his fees are part of the negotiated fees paid to the agent. We highly recommend the services of Peter Sarmas at Street Advocate, for anyone who is thinking of selling their property.

Cheryl Mossfiel

13:34 28 Jun 23

Peter Sarmas – A Trusted AdvisorI engaged Peter Sarmas to assist me in the sale of three properties for a deceased estate.Peter advised me how to improve and present each property to maximise the sale price. He put me in touch with a company who could assist me in clearing personal possessions and furniture from one of the properties.Peter interviewed three Agents for each property and guided me in the selection process. He also provided strategic advice on sale price, timing and selling options for each property.As well as arranging the auctioneer, he obtained quotes for painting, carpet, blinds and styling for my consideration. He then organised those trades to attend each property.Peter takes away the stress involved in selling a property. He was my “go to” contact for the sale process, relieving me from the responsibility of dealing with three Agents and many trades. Three very successful property sales are a testament to his professionalism and dedication to the job at hand.I highly recommend Peter Sarmas, Street Advocate, to liaise and manage the sale process from start to finish.

GP Y

04:30 08 May 23

Peter came highly recommended to us by friends who had benefited from his expertise. His advice, which costed us nothing, ensured that we got the best price possible in the quickest time. First he advised us on what to do to ensure a good presentation and helped get us experts for this where needed without wasting money. Then he interviewed three potential agents with us which ensured that we got the right company and person to do the job. At the first open he acted on our behalf to work with the agent to get an excellent price. Throughout, he kepy our interests as his top priority and he kept in regular contact to reduce stress. He also worked with the agent to ensure that the timing of our launch and open inspections were ideal for the community and likely purchasers. He also negotiated for us to get an excellent commission and cut-price campaign.No doubt that having an expert guide and advise us was of huge benefit.

Marc Felman

02:57 25 Apr 23

Engaging Peter from Street Advocate Vendor Advocacy was the best decision I made in the process of selling my house. At all times, Peter understood the stress of the selling process. And it was Peter's qualities - his knowledge and experience of the real estate industry, his thoroughness, hard work, empathy and unbelievable attention to detail, and his dealing with the real estate agents that in fact reduced that stress. And most importantly, he maximized the sale price of my home (with an amazing result that was beyond my wildest dreams), in circumstances where I had not been able to sell the house a few years earlier with a reputable agency. I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone who wants a great price for their home and a manageable selling process.

Martin P

04:39 27 Feb 23

Peter chose the right agent, negotiated great terms, managed and advised me throughout the sale process without my having to speak to the agent. He also helped develop the marketing strategy and how best to present the house, resulting in much buyer interest, a great number of inspections and an auction result that exceeded our expectations.

Stephen Bell

10:49 01 Feb 23

Peter came highly recommended to us and from our initial meeting, we knew we were in very capable hands with Peter. Having never sold a house before, Peter was able to walk us through all the stages of selling our house, as well as keeping in close contact throughout the entire process, which was greatly appreciated by us.Peter provides a large number of value adds with his service including, but not limited too:* Property Stylist to help you stage your house in the best possible way.* Interviewing local real estate agents to make sure you're getting the best agent for the job* Suggesting or organising trades people to work on your house if need be (Peter really helped us out of a tight spot with a window cleaner on short notice after our window cleaner cancelled at the last minute)* Ensuring you have the best strategy in place to maximise your sale price.Overall, we highly recommend Peter and believe you won't regret letting Peter help you with selling your house.

Andrew Zilinskas

23:29 16 Nov 22

I engaged Peter Sarmas of Street Advocate to find the best and most appropriate agent to sell a derelict house in Hawthorn for a deceased estate. I then engaged Peter's services to sell our family home in Burwood. I found Peter to be a well-informed, experienced strategic thinker who was always willing to listen and discuss all aspects of the sale process. As the two properties sales were different, Peter was excellent in choosing the selling agent and both results well exceeded expectations. I would use his services again. Andrew

Tim Giles

01:27 03 Nov 22

We have used Peter on 3 occasions now. We have found him to be a strong advocate, he has tailored a specific strategy to the circumstances of each sale and we have achieved a better-than-expected result each time. He doesn't charge (his fee comes from the agent). We have always felt overwhelmed when dealing with real estate agents directly, uncertain about whether our interests are at foremost in all considerations. Peter alleviated all these concerns- we had full confidence that our interests were being met at all times. Thanks Peter.

Tom Vamos

09:56 28 Mar 22

Peter’s professionalism and personable approach made the process of selling our house so much easier.His knowledge of the real estate industry shines through as does his focus on success. He has a wonderful team of tradespeople who knew to make our property a priority despite their busy schedules. Peter was particular about selecting the right agent and worked closely with him during the selling process.It was wonderful to have Peter ‘on our side’ and to know that he was working tirelessly with the agent to create buyer interest in our property. Peter is a great communicator - he listened to our concerns and always kept us informed. His drive and determination showed in the wonderful result we achieved.Thank you Peter we couldn’t have managed without you.

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