More than quality advice. A total solution.

Barbara Griffiths achieved outstanding results with her family’s multi-million dollar estate and Synergy’s total solution service.

Barb Griffiths is a business professional who approached Synergy in mid 2009 for help with her late father’s estate. In a little over twelve months, the Synergy team has gone on to manage the sale and purchase of eight properties for the family valued at around $17 million. “Every one of these has been a phenomenal result, and we couldn’t be happier,” says Barb. Things weren’t always so clear, she concedes, “When we first started working with Hugh, we were all in a bit of a mess and we had no idea what we were doing. Hugh quickly helped us realise we needed to look at the bigger picture: not just the property side of things but finance and investments too,” she says.

“What I thought I was doing was asking an industry expert for some property advice... What I got was an advisor and consultant who was genuinely committed to finding the best possible solution and ensuring we achieved extraordinary outcomes.”

Synergy worked with the family’s accountant, financial planner and lawyer so that the Griffiths’ were armed with a new range of strategic options, and the first property they put on the market was their father’s home in Hawthorn. “It was an original 1940s family home. We really thought it was a knock-down house,” Barb says, but the family remained hopeful of getting a good sale price. Synergy’s vendor advocacy service delivered outstanding results, with the property selling for more than $1.5 million above the reserve price and comparable sales. But it wasn’t just the extraordinary sale price that impressed the Griffiths.

“The empathy and support Synergy gave us while handling delicate estate matters and negotiations is something I can’t thank them enough for, and it almost makes results such as the $1.5million above reserve pale in comparison – the service was that good.”

Using Synergy’s vendor advocacy service again, this time for an investment property in Hawthorn, brought repeated success for the Griffiths, who’d hoped to sell for $800k but were thrilled with the actual sale price of $1.2 million.

The secret to these outstanding results, Barb says, lies in Synergy’s total solutions service. “They were always ready to go above and beyond and do whatever it takes. For example, we’d get feedback from agents at the open for inspections that the garden needed more work, and Synergy would be right onto it, arranging for someone to come in and do a backyard blitz.” From furniture hire, to gardeners, to solicitors, financial planners and accountants, Synergy provided a holistic, full-circle service to the Griffiths. “Synergy will really put themselves in your shoes to understand what needs to be done in order to get the best result.”

The Griffiths have since gone on to use Synergy’s buyer advocacy and property management services, which Barb says also delivered terrific results. “When helping us with our purchases, Hugh and Helen conducted thorough research so we could make informed decisions. They approached each property with a commitment to finding the best investment to accommodate our needs and circumstances, and made sure we purchased it at the most competitive price. They absolutely hit the mark.”

Synergy’s breadth of experience and professional networks can add value to any sales transaction, as the Griffiths will attest. Barb’s final advice for anyone in a similar situation? “Just call Synergy. It only takes one meeting with them to realise how much they can help.”

Barbara Griffiths - September 2010