Case Study: Selling a 3-Bedroom, 2-Bathroom Apartment in East Perth
Overview
When selling an investment property, achieving the best result often comes down to two things: presentation and positioning. In East Perth, Western Australia, where demand is driven by professionals, city-based renters, and student accommodation, apartments can attract strong buyer interest when marketed correctly and prepared to a high standard.
Porter Matthews Victoria Park was engaged to manage the sale of a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment in East Perth, to secure a strong sale price and attract a serious buyer who understood the property’s rental potential. The apartment was well located and offered an appealing floor plan for both owner-occupiers and investors, but it required some updates to ensure it stood out in a competitive market.
To maximise the sale outcome, the Porter Matthews team assisted with the full preparation process, including coordinating new carpets and arranging fresh internal painting. The result was a well-presented apartment that photographed beautifully, appealed to the right target market, and ultimately sold to an investor who then successfully leased the apartment to students on a 12-month tenancy.
The Client’s Goals
The property owner approached Porter Matthews Victoria Park with a clear objective: sell the apartment efficiently and secure the strongest possible return on their investment.
Their goals included:
- Presenting the apartment in a way that attracted quality buyers
- Avoiding a long days-on-market period
- Achieving a competitive sale price based on current East Perth conditions
- Highlighting the apartment’s suitability as a high-demand rental
- Ensuring the sales process was managed professionally from start to finish
Because the apartment was likely to appeal to investors, it was also important to communicate the property’s leasing potential, room configuration, and proximity to education and city amenities.
Property Assessment and Strategy
Following an initial inspection, the Porter Matthews team identified that the apartment had strong fundamentals:
- A desirable 3-bedroom layout (rare compared to many 1–2 bedroom apartments)
- Two bathrooms, ideal for shared living arrangements
- A location that appealed to renters and investors
- Strong potential for student accommodation or professional house-sharing
However, the property also showed signs of general wear consistent with previous occupancy. While nothing was structurally wrong, the interior presentation needed improvement to meet buyer expectations and compete with newer, more modern listings.
Porter Matthews recommended a targeted pre-sale upgrade strategy designed to deliver maximum impact without overcapitalising.
Pre-Sale Preparation: New Carpets and Fresh Paint
One of the most effective ways to increase buyer appeal is to make the home feel fresh, clean, and move-in ready. For apartments, presentation can strongly influence emotional connection, particularly during inspections where buyers may be comparing several similar properties.
Porter Matthews Victoria Park coordinated and managed the preparation process, including:
1. New Carpets
The existing carpets were showing wear and had aged the look of the apartment. Replacing them immediately improved the feel of the property and made each room appear cleaner and brighter.
New carpets also helped:
- Enhance the perceived value of the apartment
- Reduce buyer objections around renovation costs
- Improve the visual impact of online photos
- Make the property more attractive to investors looking for low-maintenance purchases
2. Fresh Internal Painting
A fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective upgrades for increasing buyer appeal. Porter Matthews arranged repainting in modern, neutral tones to suit a broad market.
This gave the apartment:
- A clean, modern look
- Better natural light reflection
- A more spacious feel
- A “newer” appearance without major renovation
Together, the new carpets and painting transformed the apartment into a well-presented, market-ready property.
Marketing the Apartment to the Right Buyers
With the property prepared, Porter Matthews Victoria Park developed a marketing strategy designed to appeal to both:
- Investors seeking a strong rental option
- Buyers looking for a larger apartment close to the city
The marketing campaign focused on the apartment’s strengths, including:
- The practical 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom layout
- The shared-living potential (ideal for students or young professionals)
- Location benefits of East Perth, including access to the CBD, transport, and amenities
- The updated presentation is making the property move-in ready
Professional photos captured the fresh paintwork, clean flooring, and improved overall presentation, helping the listing stand out online and generate stronger enquiry levels.
Buyer Interest and Sale Outcome
The improved presentation and strategic marketing resulted in strong buyer enquiries and consistent inspection activity.
The apartment attracted interest from investors who understood the demand for shared accommodation in East Perth, particularly from students and younger renters.
Ultimately, Porter Matthews Victoria Park successfully negotiated the sale with an investor purchaser. The buyer was attracted to the property’s:
- Three-bedroom configuration
- Two-bathroom convenience
- Location close to the city and key services
- Fresh, updated internal presentation
- Strong potential for a stable rental return
The sale was completed smoothly, with clear communication and professional management throughout the process.
Post-Sale: 12-Month Student Lease
Following settlement, the investor quickly secured tenants and leased the apartment to students on a 12-month agreement.
This outcome reinforced the strength of the property as an investment asset. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, the apartment was perfectly suited to student living, allowing multiple occupants to share comfortably while maintaining privacy.
For the investor, the purchase delivered:
- A property with immediate rental potential
- Minimal additional work required after settlement
- Strong demand from student tenants
- A stable 12-month tenancy from the outset
Why Pre-Sale Improvements Matter
This East Perth apartment sale demonstrates the importance of targeted pre-sale preparation. Rather than undertaking major renovations, Porter Matthews Victoria Park focused on high-impact improvements that:
- Enhanced presentation
- Increased buyer confidence
- Reduced objections during inspections
- Improved the marketing appeal online
- Supported a stronger negotiating position
In many cases, small upgrades such as paint and carpets can significantly improve the final sale result and shorten the selling timeline.
Conclusion
Porter Matthews Victoria Park successfully sold a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment in East Perth, WA, achieving an excellent outcome through strategic preparation, professional marketing, and buyer-focused negotiation.
By assisting the owner with new carpets and fresh painting, the team transformed the apartment into a clean, modern, investment-ready property. The apartment was ultimately purchased by an investor who then leased it to students on a 12-month tenancy, confirming the property’s strong rental appeal.
For property owners considering selling in East Perth or surrounding suburbs, Porter Matthews Victoria Park provides expert guidance, practical pre-sale advice, and a proven strategy to maximise sale results.
