Case Study: Selling Three High-Levy Student Studios in Carlton (Net Yield Success Strategy)
How do you sell three small student-accommodation apartments with oversized body corporate fees, long days on market, and lots of cheaper competition? Genneva Smarrelli (Collings) describes her process and client outcome in this real-world, problem-solving example.
The Challenge
- Three Carlton studios (all <50sqm) in two different buildings near the university precinct
- High annual levy/body corp fees; multiple sales already online for less money
- Buyers are almost exclusively investors and students—owner-occupiers ruled out
The Strategy
- Transparent, number-first communication: all levies up front, rent history, net yield calculation, recent sale prices and similar competition
- Targeted buyer-matching from investor database and off-market portal
- Zero paid marketing: directed outreach and direct follow-up only
The Outcome
- Two cash investors purchased three properties
- Buyers focused on net return—not just headline dollar cost—thanks to detailed investor-style IM
- Owner achieved a result that multiple “mainstream” agents could not extract
Key lesson: Off-market, investor-first selling is not about hype, but realistic net numbers and buyer strategy.
Have a “problem” apartment or student property? Talk to a Collings specialist about off-market success.
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