Feels Like Home with Home Scouts
With three generations of her family living in Noosa and extensive personal experience buying and selling property, buyer’s agent Bronwen Stacey of Home Scouts is perfectly placed to help families and retirees turn their Noosa relocation dreams into a reality by finding their perfect place in the sun, discovers Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer.
We’ve all been on holiday somewhere amazing and wondered, “What would life be like if we moved here?”
But for those who do actually want to take the leap and purchase a house in their dream destination, it can be tricky to figure out the ins-and-outs of the different areas, understand pricing, and know who to turn to for insider knowledge.
Bronwen Stacey from Home Scouts is a buyer’s agent who truly understands the real estate landscape of Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, as well as having a unique insight into different buyers’ needs and expectations thanks to her personal background.
“We have three generations of my family living here in Noosa – myself and my husband are lucky enough to be raising our young family here, and my mother bought a property here many years ago, which she moved in to after retiring,” she said. “So I understand what’s important to different types of buyers when they’re looking for a property in the region.”
For Bronwen, it all comes down to the type of lifestyle the client values – do they like to be walking distance to shops and cafés; do they want to avoid school traffic; do they want to hear the waves at night; are they craving leafy views as an antidote to the hustle of the big city?
Every client is different, which is why Bronwen’s approach is completely personalised.
“I go through a really detailed briefing process focused on finding out what they’re all about and what the end goal is. I then work on a plan of attack and collaborate with the client in a way that suits them,” she says.
Usually hailing from interstate or overseas, Bronwen’s clients appreciate her extensive knowledge of the region, expert understanding of the Queensland market, and her dedication to finding them the perfect home.
As part of the process, she carries out market analysis to give them an idea of the types of properties they can access within their budget and tirelessly attends open homes and off-market properties, working for as long as she needs to find that one special place that feels like home.
“I manage the searches, walkthroughs, extensive due diligence, analysis, building and pest inspections and all the things that need to be negotiated with the agent,” she says. “And after the property has settled, I can help with meeting removalists, architects and tradespeople, and other important things the client can’t be there for.”
Driven by her values of authenticity and integrity, Bronwen is accredited by the Real Estate Buyers Association of Australia (REBAA), and is a member of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, reflecting her expertise and high standard of professionalism and offering clients additional peace of mind.
Relationships are at the heart of everything she does and, as a natural people person, interacting with clients has become one of her favourite parts
of the job.
“I get to know my clients really well and have even become friends with many of them,” she says. “And viewing such incredible homes is definitely another plus!”
As a long-term Noosa resident, Bronwen loves the relaxed, beachside lifestyle the region offers her own young children, and understands why it’s such a big drawcard for families and retirees alike – and why the population of Noosa and the Sunshine Coast is predicted to grow significantly in the next few decades.
“We have the lifestyle and the proximity to the beach,” she says. “We have world-class restaurants and cafés, a thriving arts scene and abundant natural beauty. Plus it’s a really great, close-knit community – there’s just so much to love about living here!”
Speaking of community, Bronwen, her husband and their two primary school-aged daughters are active volunteers at the Surf Lifesaving Club, heading out on patrols every month.
“We’re part of Nippers and the Noosa Triathlon Club,” adds Bronwen. “We’re very passionate about contributing to our local community and being highly engaged and involved.”
So what would Bronwen’s advice be to someone who feels the pull of this magical region and can see themselves making a sea change?
“Really think about what you want to get out of moving or buying a holiday home here, and then figure out a way to get everything lined up in order to do that,” she says.
“Talk to an expert buyer’s agent on the ground and put some plans in place. Make sure you get a really good feel for the different areas to discover what you connect with and what you respond to. You won’t regret it!”
