At 70, Howerd decided it was finally time to step back from full-time work and unlock the equity in his investment property to fund a new chapter in life.

The Perth resident and his wife, Jan, still carried a mortgage on the three-bedroom investment villa they’d bought in Banksia Grove back in 2007.

"The main reason to sell was that I wanted to retire," Howerd explained, and rising property values in early 2024 had created the perfect window.

Unsure of who to list with, Howerd turned to OpenAgent's agent comparison service. "I found it ideal," he said. "The first agent called back within an hour and came the same day." Local agent Carole Saville’s strong track record and gentle demeanour won his confidence on the spot.

He tackled a renovation and, on Carole's advice, secured retrospective approval for a previously built storeroom-turned-fourth-bedroom – an unexpected cost, but one that would maximise the sale price.

The campaign drew 18 groups through the first home open and produced two quick offers, both of which collapsed. One buyer withdrew to chase another property, while the next couldn’t secure finance.

Carole kept momentum high and, on the third pass, secured a cash buyer at $700,000, exactly the figure Howerd wanted. "Third time lucky – we sold."

Clearing the investment mortgage left Howerd and Jan with "an estate we didn't think we'd have." The funds are now invested, letting him step into full retirement. 

Three days a week, he joins the local Men’s Shed – his latest project, a cubby house, has already found a buyer at a primary school – and he’s planning a month-long trip to New Zealand.

Looking back, Howerd says choosing an agent through OpenAgent made the process stress-free. "We felt [Carole] would act in our best interests, and she did," he explained. 

"Now, I can get on with what I want to do."

Carole offered some advice for downsizers who may find securing a new home challenging, particularly in a competitive market like Perth, suggesting three helpful scenarios:

• Pre-list and wait: photograph and prepare the current home so it can launch instantly once the downsizer finds something they like.
• A long settlement after sale: doable but risky for older owners, as they could be caught out if they haven’t secured the next place.
• A subject-to-finding clause: accept an offer that allows a set number of weeks to locate a new home, removing the risk for cautious vendors.

She added that the priority should be "presentation, presentation, presentation –  always", and urged downsizers to "choose an agent that really understands your needs and wants" rather than simply chasing commission.