From Zero to Two Properties in 18 Months with a single Strategy
When a client returns after their first purchase, it speaks volumes. It confirms the value of the strategy, the trust in the process and the belief that we’re building wealth with precision—not guesswork.
Eighteen months ago, we helped a schoolteacher secure his very first property: an apartment on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. It wasn’t just about getting on the ladder. It was about starting right. Owner-occupier appeal, walkable amenities, long-term desirability. The asset was a stepping stone, but with the right foundations.
Fast forward to today. That same client came back, ready to build. He had equity. He had confidence. And he had a clear timeframe: the purchase needed to be completed within a two-week school holiday window.
This wasn’t just about buying an investment property. It was about expanding his portfolio with purpose—one that aligned with his future plans. A property that not only made sense financially but also strategically positioned him for long-term growth.
With a tight deadline and a clear brief, we executed fast. Targeting the Newcastle region, where we already had strong off-market access and local data insight, we identified a high-performing unit in the heart of Newcastle.
The deal: A low-maintenance unit, purchased for $615,000, with a rental return of $680 per week. Strong yield. Low vacancy. But there was a catch.
The strata committee had raised a proposed special levy. A red flag to many. But for us, an opportunity.
We didn’t just accept the listing agent’s version of the story. That’s not how we operate. Listing agents represent the seller—not the buyer. Their job is to maximise sale price, not protect the buyer’s interest.
We obtained strata reports, reviewed committee meeting minutes, spoke to the strata manager and consulted local trades. We forecast the likely works, the potential disruption and ran the numbers to determine the worst-case levy amount based on the client’s unit entitlement.
Our assessment? The risk was minor, manageable and already priced into the property. Most buyers wouldn’t see that. Most agents wouldn’t explain it. But we used it to our advantage.
The result: Negotiated purchase price well below true market value. An asset with long-term upside, a strong yield and none of the usual buyer uncertainty.
Most buyers walk into a deal blind—overpaying, reacting emotionally and hoping it works out. That’s not how we do things. This is strategic property acquisition: data-led, psychology-aware, negotiation-first.
The client now holds two properties valued at over $1.5M in just 18 months—with zero mistakes and no wasted capital. And we’re already planning the next move, 6-9 months out.
This is how portfolios are built. Not with hype. Not with hope. But with clear plans, targeted markets and precise execution.
Why Newcastle?
The client intends on living there in the future and because we know it inside out.
Strong rental yields across key suburbs
Owner-occupier demand driving prices
Long-term infrastructure spending
Tight supply: low stock, short hold periods, minimal new builds
Suburbs with sub-1% vacancy, under 1 month inventory, and strong socio-economic profiles
This client’s investment is positioned within a tightly held, high-demand suburb of Newcastle—minutes to amenity, major transport and job centres. We’re seeing steady pressure on both prices and rents, with upside driven by population growth and long-term gentrification trends.
Navigating Strata Complexity
For most buyers, strata reports are an afterthought. For us, they’re a negotiation tool. We don’t panic when there’s a special levy. We investigate:
What the works are
Why they’re happening
When they’re scheduled
How much they’ll cost
Who’s responsible for what
How that affects tenancy or resale
In this case, the forecast levy was far less than expected—and our due diligence enabled us to present a compelling case for a price reduction.
That’s the value of working with a buyer’s agent. Not just a facilitator, but a strategic negotiator.
If you're looking for a trusted buyers agent in Newcastle, this is what working with MacKenzie Buyers Agency looks like.
Learn more about our investment property acquisition service.
See more client success stories.
Real Estate Newcastle: The Bigger Picture
Newcastle is quickly becoming one of NSW’s most compelling investment corridors:
Expansion of Newcastle Airport with international terminal development
Hexham bypass & major road upgrades slashing commute times
Diversified employment across healthcare, education, logistics and government sectors
Owner-occupier suburbs with high barriers to entry and gentrification appeal
This deal wasn’t just a lucky buy. It was a decision backed by fundamentals.
Yield: 5.75% gross
Vacancy: <1%
Building condition: sound, with transparent maintenance schedule
Entry price: under true value
Demand profile: strong for both renters and future buyers
We didn’t guess. We assessed. And then we executed.
Returning Client. Repeat Results.
It’s easy to think all buyer’s agents are the same. They’re not. Many are just middlemen with no strategy, no negotiation ability and no skin in the game.
That’s not us.
We’re in the trenches with our clients. We run the numbers. Challenge assumptions. And find angles that other buyers never see.
When clients come back? That’s proof it works.
Now this client holds two well-performing assets with the right ownership structure, clear debt strategy and scalable equity position.
That’s not just a portfolio. That’s future-proofed wealth.
This is what we do.
Private Access. Precision Strategy. Secured Wealth.
