How This First Home Buyer Stayed $100,000 Under Budget
Buying your first home is both exciting and overwhelming, especially in a competitive area like Marsden Park in Sydney’s North West. But with the help of local Buyer’s Agent Wayne Zahra, one young couple not only avoided overpaying, they secured a dual-income home and bought $100,000 below their max budget.
“My clients are a lovely couple who recently moved to Sydney from overseas,” Wayne explains. “They were unsure about the local market, had little experience dealing with sales agents, and didn’t want to waste time or risk paying too much. They were hoping to buy a home they could settle into and eventually start a family.”
After attending several open homes, the couple realised just how fierce the buyer competition was, and that they needed guidance. With a clear brief in hand — 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car spaces, a good backyard and spacious layout, Wayne got to work. Their maximum budget was $1.2 million. Within weeks, Wayne identified 10 strong opportunities, both on and off-market.
One home on Honeysuckle Parade stood out:
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 car spots
- A standalone studio at the rear, generating $450 per week in rental income
- Effectively two homes in one, offering exceptional value
Wayne says “Valuing property can be tricky. A lot of buyers end up overpayina lot of buyers end up overpaying because they don’t know what to look for. As a local, I understand the market and know when something is genuinely good value. Good deals don’t last long, you have to be quick and strategic.”
Thanks to fast due diligence and smart negotiation, Wayne secured the property for $1.1 million, well below the couple’s limit. Comparable homes in the area were selling for $1.2–$1.3 million at the time. “They walked away with a home they loved, plus a rental income stream, for less than they expected to spend.”
How Smart Negotiation Delivered Big Results
Wayne also believes his career background plays a critical role in helping clients succeed. “I think having a background in sales and construction allows me to assess value beyond surface level,” he adds. “I love helping buyers identify properties with long-term upside and show them what’s easy to fix versus what’s not worth the time. Working in sales for years has taught me which negotiating terms work in different situations. Some vendors are more motivated than others and knowing what drives them is key to getting a deal done ahead of the competition. The average person doesn’t negotiate property often, but when you work with someone who does, it makes the entire process easier, less stressful, and most importantly, ensures the best result.”
Client Testimonial
“Outstanding Experience with Cohen Handler, especially Wayne Zahra. We recently purchased our very first home with the support of Cohen Handler, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. From day one, our buyers agent Wayne Zahra treated our journey as if it were his own — reviewing every detail, guiding us with honesty and care, and ensuring we made informed decisions. His expertise, timely advice, and deep understanding of the Sydney property market saved us not just money, but also time and unnecessary stress. He truly had our best interests at heart and made the process of buying our first home feel smooth and well-supported. There are still a few final steps left, but we already feel so confident and grateful knowing we had Wayne and the Cohen Handler team by our side. We’re excited to stay in touch as we look to grow our property portfolio in the future. Highly recommend Wayne and Cohen Handler to anyone looking for trustworthy and results-driven buyer’s agents in Sydney.”
Thinking of buying Sydney’s North West or Hills District?
Let Cohen Handler Buyer’s Agents guide the way. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, investor or growing family, we’ll help you secure the right property at the right price.