My friend's biggest issue was with her property's valuation. It was overpriced by more than 20%, and three different agents still listed it at that inflated figure - or even lower. Six months went by, and her home just sat there on the market, unsold.
She was beyond stressed, especially since she'd already bought a new place. At the same time, I was purchasing a home myself. But in my case, the agent undersold it - $30K under the asking price! No negotiating, no second offers. He just wanted it sold. Fast.
I was fuming - for both of us. But instead of just stewing, I started asking myself, why is the real estate industry still like this? Why is it so closed off, with little transparency or collaboration for sellers?
Now, I had some insider knowledge - I'd worked in the real estate world for a few years. So, none of this was new to me. I'd seen it all before.
But on that walk, something clicked.
What if things could be different?
What if we could give people more options, more control, and real choice when selling?
What if there was a better way to connect buyers with agents we actually trust?
As I kept walking, the idea started to grow.
What if we could...
- Give buyers and sellers back the control they deserve while saving them money and time?
- Use technology to streamline everything?
- Make sure homes were valued right from the start?
- And boost real estate satisfaction rates across the board?
Plus, virtual tours could make house-hunting so much more efficient, letting buyers see homes anytime without wasting hours driving around.
And one more thing: I wanted this new business to give back. Supporting charities and social enterprises was always going to be part of the plan.
When I got home, I announced my "lightbulb moment" to... well, mostly the dog. But hey, she listened!
What if we built a platform that matched buyers and sellers, with virtual tours, a communication hub, and smart automations?
A system that would strip away all the friction, let buyers and sellers talk directly, and have real estate pros on hand when you actually needed them.
Could it work? Could we build a real estate experience that's as smooth as booking a ride or a holiday rental?
That night, I sat down with my kids, brainstormed the idea, and registered the domain nextaddress.com.au. We even grabbed nextpaddock.com.au for good measure!
Today, I'm just as excited about what Next Address is achieving for buyers and sellers. It's a smarter, more transparent way to sell property, built on trust, control, and honest communication.
If you want to dive deeper into the story, check out the blog: Julie and the Next Address Story.
Let's Sell Your Home - The Smart Way
We're here to help you sell your home for the best price, in the shortest time, with the least stress.
Our promise?
You'll experience:
- Control over the entire process
- Trust in the advice you receive
- Transparency at every step
- The right information and knowledge to make the best decisions
- Savings of both time and money
At Next Address, we're delivering the future of real estate:
- Smart tech solutions
- 3D Virtual Tours
- A smooth online marketplace that puts you in charge
Our professional network is here to ensure you get the best support, top-notch services, and honest advice. Plus, our Community Forum and blogs are packed with tips - from saving for your next home to mastering negotiation.
Have a question? Ask us anything, and we'll respond with total honesty.
Together, we're reinventing how real estate is bought and sold in Australia. Come join us on the journey!Julie O'Donohue
