Refined Real Estate (powered by Ownly)

Our sales performance at a glance

See how Refined Real Estate (powered by Ownly) has performed in the last 12 months on RateMyAgent*

Reviews

Properties for sale

Sold properties

$466k

Average sale price

$6.5m

Total sales value

*Includes all properties sold (last 12 months) where the agent was a part of the transaction and published on ratemyagent.co.nz. It may not be complete and can exclude off-market, private sales and undisclosed pricing and sold dates. Contact agent for full sales history.

Meet the team

Get to know the 2 agents at Refined Real Estate (powered by Ownly).

Mel Kenny

Licensed Real Estate Agent

(160 reviews)

About Mel

Real estate doesn’t need to feel overwhelming and with Mel, it doesn’t. An award-winning real estate professional with over 20 years’ experience, Mel brings energy, clarity, and a refreshingly human approach to every property journey. With a strong background in sales and a deep understanding of the local market, she knows how to deliver results but never at the expense of people. Mel believes the best outcomes come from trust, honest conversations, and making clients feel genuinely comfortable. She takes the time to listen, explain, and guide turning what could be a stressful process into a confident, well-supported experience. This isn’t about transactions or ticking boxes; it’s about creating a journey where clients feel looked after from start to finish. Known for her high energy, strong work ethic, and genuine care, Mel builds lasting relationships that extend well beyond settlement day. Her reputation as one of the region’s most respected and award-winning agents comes from doing things differently putting people first and delivering results that truly matter. If you’re looking for someone who will work hard, communicate openly, deliver the best outcome for you Mel is always ready to get started.

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Sharni Bichan

Auctioneer / Licensed Real Estate Agent

(115 reviews)

About Sharni

Sharni Bichan is passionate about helping people achieve their real estate dreams. For her, every clients goal becomes her own, and she goes the extra mile to make it happen. As the Agent of the year winner for Milton, she is also a auctioneer bringing expert negotiation skills to the table both in competition and in practice. A lifelong enthusiast for real estate, Sharni purchased her first home at just 21. Since then, she has navigated every stage of property ownership from first homes and investments to bare land, family homes, and even securing her ultimate dream home (which sat as a vision board goal on her fridge for four years!). These experiences, combined with her deep market knowledge, give her a unique perspective when guiding clients through their own property journeys. Sharni believes that every home and every community has a story to tell. She listens carefully to her clients needs, ensuring that buying or selling is not only successful but also stress-free, enjoyable, and rewarding. Clients trust her for her warmth, honesty, and commitment knowing they can call her anytime with questions or concerns. Beyond real estate, Sharni is always seeking motivation and personal growth, even traveling overseas to attend Tony Robbins events. In her free time, she enjoys days out at in the classic car with her husband, children & car club, discovering new family activities, attending music concerts, and getting lost in a great book. For a dedicated, energetic, and knowledgeable approach to real estate, call Sharni Bichan today! #thismumsellsrealestate

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About us

At Refined Real Estate its all about people first — the homes, the land, and the keys are just part of the journey. At the heart of it all is community, connection, and helping people feel supported every step of the way. That’s exactly what you get with Sharni Bichan and Mel Kenny two down-to-earth, hardworking professionals who genuinely love what they do and the communities they serve across South Otago. Sharni Bichan is a familiar face in Milton and throughout the Clutha district a Property Advisor, Auctioneer, and proud local who brings heart, energy, and honesty into everything she does. Sharni understands just how important “home” really is. It’s not just a place it’s where life happens, where families grow, and where memories are made. Known for her friendly, approachable style, Sharni has a natural ability to make people feel comfortable from the very first conversation. She’s calm under pressure, a strong communicator, and a skilled negotiator who knows how to get results without losing the personal touch. Her recent results across Milton, Balclutha, Kaitangata, Owaka, and surrounding areas reflect her commitment to going the extra mile. From thoughtful marketing campaigns to strong auctioneering skills and clear communication, Sharni is focused on achieving the best outcome while keeping the process smooth and stress-free. She also continues to sharpen her skills through auctioneering competitions and ongoing professional development across New Zealand and Australia always learning, always improving, always striving for the best for her clients. But what really sets Sharni apart is her heart for people. She is heavily involved in the local community, supporting schools, sports teams, fundraising events, and local initiatives whenever she can. For Sharni, real estate is not just a job — it’s about being part of the fabric of the community and helping it thrive. Alongside her is Mel Kenny a highly respected, award-winning real estate professional with over 20 years of experience helping people buy and sell with confidence. Mel is known for her warm, genuine nature and her ability to make what can often feel like a stressful process feel calm, clear, and achievable. Mel brings a wealth of knowledge and a steady, reassuring presence to every transaction. Her clients appreciate her honesty, her clear communication, and her ability to listen & really listen to what people need. She believes in Keeping it Real in Real Estate which is built on trust and relationships, and that’s exactly what she delivers every time. With strong local insight and a strategic approach to marketing and negotiation, Mel has achieved consistent success across Balclutha and the wider South Otago region. From family homes to lifestyle properties and investment opportunities, she knows how to position a property to attract the right buyers and deliver strong results. Her experience also means she can guide clients through every stage of the process with confidence and care. Outside of Real Estate, Mel is deeply family-focused and community-minded. She loves being involved in local life, supporting community events, and spending time with the people who matter most. That strong sense of connection carries through everything she does, both personally and professionally. Together, Sharni and Mel bring the perfect blend of energy, experience, and heart. They are approachable, honest, and genuinely invested in helping people achieve their goals while making the journey enjoyable along the way. At Refined Real Estate, they are proud to be part of a team that values people, community, and doing things the right way. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious about the market, Sharni and Mel are always happy to have a chat, offer advice, and help however they can. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about property it’s about people, place, and home.

Seller review

about 5 hours ago

Meet and exceeded expectations

Mel was great at selling our property. Start to finish was just made simple because she just took care of business. I would suggest if you want the job done professionally with no fuss no stress excellent communication and no false hopes then get Mel Kenny. Top agent in Clutha in my opinion goes above and beyond with no fuss.

Mel Kenny

(160 reviews)

Seller review

2 days ago

Fantastic service from start to finish

Mel Kenny was absolutely fantastic throughout the whole process. She made everything so easy and seamless. Mel was always reliable, professional, and happy to help with any queries or questions I had along the way. I really appreciated her communication, support, and how stress-free she made the experience. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for an agent.

Mel Kenny

(160 reviews)

Buyer review

2 days ago

Not sure where to start? Start with Mel!

I had zero experience with purchasing property, and Mel has been a champion, guiding me through the process with patience and understanding. It's immediately obvious how experienced she is in her field: she seemed to know the kind of property I was looking for before I did. She’ll carve a place for you in her schedule, answer your questions with ease, and somehow keep things light along the way, laughing at your better jokes and raising eyebrows at the bad ones. I'd happily go back to her if I ever sell. Mel is one of those characters who warrant a 6-out-of-5-star review. House buying has a niggly reputation, yet with Mel it was straightforward. I never felt rushed or pressured, and it's obvious she cares about her clients. Thanks so much for your help! Putting the "real" in real estate — here's hoping Mel Kenny sells many, many more houses for years to come. Cheers!

Mel Kenny

(160 reviews)

Buyer review

5 days ago

Amazing and professional!

Mel has been so supportive throughout our first home journey. Whenever we are unsure about anything, she is always happy to help and provide guidance. Communication between all parties has also been prompt and smooth.

Mel Kenny

(160 reviews)

Seller review

6 days ago

A true master of the real estate craft

We are very thankful to Mel for her professional, enthusiastic, knowledgeable approach to real estate. If you're looking for a real estate agent, we highly recommend Mel as the best option for a smooth and relaxed experience. Thanks

Mel Kenny

(160 reviews)

Seller review

8 days ago

Excellent communication with passion for realestate

Mel is a straight shooter and knows real estate like the back of her hand! Mel was fun and energetic and made selling my home so easy.

Mel Kenny

(160 reviews)

Our properties

Refined Real Estate (powered by Ownly) has 16 properties for sale and sold 14 properties in the last 12 months, showing 4, sorted by most recent activity

Show all 30 properties

Our sales performance at a glance

Meet the team

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