The Story
Brendon and Luanne were living in Singapore when they decided it was time to move back to Melbourne permanently. Like many families returning from overseas, they were focused on getting it right: the right suburb, the right home, and the right long-term environment for their family.
They began their search independently.
For months, they monitored listings daily, joined local Facebook groups, spoke to friends and family in Melbourne, and gathered opinions from multiple sources. Each offering different advice on suburbs, school zones, price expectations and “what to avoid”.
Instead of clarity, they experienced information overload.
Every conversation added another layer of complexity:
- Conflicting suburb recommendations
- Different views on what represented “good value”
- Emotional opinions based on past purchases, not current market conditions
- Advice that didn’t account for buying remotely
We first met Brendon and Luanne eight months before they engaged us. At the time, they were actively searching but hesitant. They are unsure which advice to trust, worried about making the wrong call, and already missing opportunities while trying to piece everything together on their own.
Eventually, they realised that more information wasn’t helping. What they needed was structure, filtering, and decision clarity.
START - Moving From Noise to Purpose
When they engaged Shortlist Property Advocates, the first step was to pause the search and reset.
Rather than jumping straight back into listings, we worked through our START phase to define what success actually looked like for them beyond surface-level property features.
This process helped them separate:
- What sounded important from what genuinely mattered
- Emotional advice from functional requirements
- Short-term compromises from long-term livability
Through our concept sheet, it became clear their priority wasn’t just buying a house. It was securing a stable, family-friendly environment that supported schooling, daily routines, and long-term lifestyle.
Only once this clarity was established did the search restart with intention.
SMART - Narrowing the Search (Properly)
Before working with us, Brendon and Luanne were effectively shopping across too many suburbs at once. Each new listing reopened old questions, and every suggestion from friends sent them in a different direction.
Using our SMART suburb framework, we filtered the market down to locations that actually aligned with their priorities, not just popular opinions.
This step removed:
- Suburbs that looked good online but didn’t suit family life
- Areas where pricing didn’t reflect long-term value for their needs
- Locations that created lifestyle compromises they hadn’t initially considered
Instead of watching everything, they now had a defined, manageable Shortlist, allowing them to assess opportunities quickly and confidently.
👉 Watch a short video about the SMART method.
A Critical Early Lesson - Why Missing One Matters
Within 10 days of engaging us, a suitable home in Murrumbeena came up. It looked promising and initially gained momentum.
However, when assessed against their clarified priorities, it became clear that while it was a good property, it wasn’t the right property for how they planned to live.
Rather than pushing forward out of fear of missing out, we used this moment to refine the brief further. This step proved critical because it prevented a decision driven by urgency rather than alignment.
This was a turning point in the search.
360 - Executing With Confidence From Overseas
Once clarity and suburb focus were locked in, the process shifted from exploration to execution.
When the right opportunity appeared in Bentleigh East, everything aligned:
- Family-oriented neighbourhood
- Proximity to parks and schools
- Practical layout for everyday living
- Strong long-term appeal
Using our 360 approach, we handled the full assessment and execution remotely ensuring Brendon and Luanne had clear visibility, objective insights, and confidence at every step.
Because the groundwork had already been done, the decision wasn’t stressful or rushed. It was clear.
The Outcome
Shortlist successfully secured a family home in Bentleigh East, one that supports their lifestyle now and into the future as they settle back into Melbourne.
More importantly, they moved from:
- Information overload → clarity
- Hesitation → decisiveness
- Reactive searching → structured progress
If you are returning from overseas and feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, shifting opinions, and the pressure of buying remotely in Melbourne, the Shortlist provides a clear, structured pathway. I would love to help you cut through the noise, make confident decisions, and secure a home that truly supports your family’s long-term lifestyle.
Kind regards,
Steve Janes
