We needed to sell fast. It was April/May 2026, the market was flat, and we'd already had an offer accepted on our next place — no time to wait for the "right buyer" to wander in. Cheryl's first move was pragmatism. The house had a CV of $3.56m, but rather than anchor to that number and hope, she talked us through the market realistically and helped us land on a floor of $3m — a number we could actually sell at, not one we wished we could. That distinction mattered more than anything else. From there she pushed for a proper campaign, not a quiet listing. We moved out so the house could be cleaned and staged, invested in a high-end photo package, and put real weight behind marketing on Trade Me and realestate.co.nz. She brought her own network of stagers, decorators, cleaners and photographers, so presenting the house at its best was her job, not ours. She arrived early to every open home — clearing leaves, heating on, lighting right — and followed up after every viewing with buyer feedback. Nothing was too hard. The response spoke for itself: over 35,000 website views, 88 viewings, four building inspections. Four weeks after listing, we went to auction with five registered bidders and a reserve of $3.2m — in a market where comparable properties were struggling for traction. The house sold under the hammer for $3.35m — over 10% above our $3m floor. Selling at auction at all, in that market, was an outcome in itself. Advice to other sellers: when Cheryl tells you something about pricing or strategy, listen. You wouldn't do your own dentistry because you think you know better — this isn't the place to overrule a professional either. Whether you're a first-home seller, under time pressure like we were, or moving a high-value property — Cheryl is who you want in your corner. Unqualified recommendation.
