How a clear START and decisive execution helped Ben and Rebecca secure a future home in Prahran from Singapore.
The Story
Ben and Rebecca live in Singapore. Like many expats, Melbourne has always been part of their long-term plan. Two years ago they engaged us to help buy from overseas. We came close more than once. Strong contenders. Serious intent. But for one reason or another, the timing never aligned and the purchase never closed.
This year was different.
Very different.
The speed. The decisiveness. The confidence in every step. This time, the Shortlist Method was followed with absolute precision, and the result was a fantastic two-bedroom house in a blue chip AAA location in Prahran.
START - Making the Hard Decision First
Every remote buyer journey begins in the same place. Defining exactly what the property must do.
Future home.
Investment.
Or both.
The hybrid idea is appealing and sometimes appropriate. But for many expats, it becomes a source of hesitation rather than clarity. Trying to make one property do everything often slows decisions and blurs priorities.
For Ben and Rebecca, START was the turning point.
We worked through the property purpose carefully. Lifestyle needs. Time horizon. Emotional intent. Financial reality. Once that decision was locked, everything else accelerated. The platform was set for clarity.
👉 Click here to watch a short video about the START method.
SMART – From Broad Ideas to a Narrow Target Zone
With purpose defined, SMART came into play. We built clear property concepts and ran them through the Shortlist Matrix.
Instead of endless suburbs, the shortlist collapsed into just a small handful of locations that genuinely matched their plan. Patterns emerged quickly. Certain pockets kept rising to the top.
This is where many buyers realise the difference between searching and targeting.
We honed in on opportunities across St Kilda and Prahran. A strong property in St Kilda went to auction and despite a well executed strategy, it slipped through our fingers.
That moment mattered. Not because of the loss, but because of how prepared we were for what came next.
The Opportunity Appears and the Pressure Arrives
Shortly after, a property on Alfred Street surfaced. A two bedroom house with the right balance of lifestyle appeal and long term strength. Auction was scheduled three weeks out.
Then the call came.
An offer had been received. The vendor was prepared to sell prior.
This is where overseas buyers can easily lose ground. No physical presence. Limited time. High pressure. Competing interests.
We moved immediately into silent negotiation mode.
360 – Winning by Small Margins from Overseas
We activated the full Shortlist 360 System. Pre-inspection intelligence. Contract review. Risk checks. Agent strategy. Local insight. Every step executed with urgency and precision.
Relationships mattered. Experience mattered. Timing mattered.
In a tight negotiation with little margin for error, we secured the property by the smallest of differences. From Singapore, Ben and Rebecca had full visibility, full support, and complete protection throughout the process.
The Outcome – A Property that Serves Them Brilliantly
The property will serve them exceptionally well. A long term Melbourne investment. Strong fundamentals. Fantastic appreciation. Lifestyle appeal. And a purchase they can feel proud of.
The biggest shift from their first attempt two years ago was not the market. It was the clarity. The structure. And the confidence that comes from following a proven method all the way through.
This case study highlights exactly how the Shortlist Method supports global professionals who are not on the ground. It removes guesswork, compresses time, and allows decisive action when it matters most.
If you are overseas and want the same structured pathway and decision support for your own Melbourne purchase, join the Shortlist. I would love to help you navigate the process and secure the right property with confidence.
Kind regards,
Steve Janes
