Rich Harvey - Buying Blind
1300 655 615 | info@propertybuyer.com.au
The last six months has been a whirlwind for me. As some of you may know, I have been involved in a new property TV series called “Buying Blind” as the expert Buyers Agent helping six couples find and buy their dream home. I work alongside Shaynna Blaze (Interior designer) and Marshal Keen (Builder).
What’s it all about?
The premise of Buying Blind is that each of the couple’s hand over their entire life savings to me to find and purchase a house, but they don’t get to see it until AFTER I have bought it and Shaynna and Marshal have transformed it into their dream home.
The couples range from first-time home buyers to young families challenged by the soaring property market in Australia. Some couples had basically given up the search because it was just too hard to crack the market, or they had put it on the back burner because they didn’t have enough time or motivation to keep going.
With that responsibility, I must be absolutely sure of their budget, location and property preferences the minute they sign the Power of Attorney (as I have the authority to sign the contract of sale). As these couples are, Buying Blind, I’m unable to get feedback from the buyers on the various properties shortlisted for them – I will have to make the decision in isolation.
Each of the buyers must grapple with giving up control of the process. They must let go in order to gain.
What I love about the show:
Will the buyers like the houses?
Well you will just have to tune-in and find out what really happens and their unpredictable reactions…
The show premieres is on Channel 9, Tuesdays at 7.30pm – so stay tuned and meet our couples each week!
And watch out for more behind-the-scenes photos and updates.
What a lovely family! Ali and Lis had the lowest budget for a house under $600k and needed a three bedroom home for their growing family of three young girls.
I’d say it was the toughest brief as the first home buyer market was so competitive with properties selling in less than a week. It took a lot of digging to find “the one”.
At the end of the reveal day, when I just sitting back with a drink on the lounge with the family and cameras were packed away, little Masie comes up to me and says “Uncle Rich, thanks so much for our new house, we really like it”. This was completely unprompted by her parents and no, I am not really an uncle, it was just Lis and Ali’s way for the kids to get to know us. That moment made the stress and headaches all worthwhile.
Finding a house in Wollongong for Jess and Fotis was a challenge as they wanted to be in suburbs that were $150k to $200k above their budget – they are not the first to have unrealistic expectations as home buyers!
But after providing a market reality check I found a great house ripe for renovation and a cracking view of Lake Illawarra. I loved Fotis' sense of humour and the way that Jess’ family was so supportive, and Fotis mum is an awesome cook.
It was wonderful help them secure their first home and now be able to establish their own identity as a married couple – but still within reasonable distance of family.
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'You've got to look at all the opportunities you can get'. My market advice when buying a new home. Watch video here.
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The three experts on Buying Blind: (L-R) Marshal Keen, Shaynna Blaze, Rich Harvey.
Stay tuned, we will let you know more.
Tuesday's @ 7.30pm on Nine!
Your team of experts
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1300 655 615 | info@propertybuyer.com.au
