Lukas Pedder’s strategic pricing and magazine-edit photography turned a central Mildura family home into a magnet for interstate investors — delivering $55,000 more than a comparable property that sold nearby.
Lukas Pedder has sold a four-bedroom house at 259 Wade Avenue in Mildura, Victoria for $563,000 after just eight days on the market, securing $13,000 above the top of the advertised range.
The speed wasn’t accidental. Lukas priced the property at $500,000 to $550,000 based on recent comparables at $520,000 and $540,000, then backed the range with rental appraisals showing $530-$550 per week in investor value. The numbers had to make sense — and they did.
Three investors, three offers
Multiple offers arrived within days. All three buyers were out-of-area investors, drawn by the property’s rental appeal and immediate tenantability.
The first offer came in at $527,000 — within the advertised range and enough to make the sellers happy. But Lukas kept pushing.
“The sellers were excited about what was next every time we got an offer,” Lukas said.
“The first offer, the owners were happy with, but we made sure that we maximised the result for them.”
The competition escalated quickly: $548,000, then $560,000, then the winning bid at $563,000.
The magazine-edit approach
The property was presented empty but immaculate, with beautiful blonde timber floorboards throughout — the kind of character detail that appeals to both investors and owner-occupiers.
But the real difference was in how Lukas captured it.
“A standard property shoot is just the diagonal angle, which doesn’t really showcase any element,” Lukas said.
“It’s more a strategic way to showcase properties from almost a lifestyle element and more of a magazine edit rather than a property shoot. If photos are taken from a certain spot, it really can elevate and highlight the features more than just showcasing a blank room. It makes the photo more interesting.”
That magazine-edit approach — prioritising angles that told a story rather than simply documenting rooms — made the property pop online and helped attract serious interstate attention.
Central Mildura location
The property sits in central Mildura, with a park directly next door and walking distance to Chaffey College, Mildura Senior College, and the 15th Street shopping precinct. The location appeals to families and investors alike, with Mildura’s house values rising 63.79% over the past five years to a median of $608,769 and median weekly rents sitting at $510.
The $55,000 difference
The result becomes even more striking in context. Lukas had initially pitched for another comparable property in the area, but lost the listing because his recommended marketing package was considered too expensive.
That property sold for $508,000.
The difference between the two campaigns — strategic pricing, lifestyle photography, and skilled negotiation across multiple offers — delivered nearly $55,000 more for the sellers at 259 Wade Avenue.
“We were able to accomplish almost $55,000 more,” Lukas said.
For investors evaluating Mildura, the result demonstrates the value of a property that’s tenantable from day one, priced with credible comparables, and presented in a way that stands out in a crowded online market.
About the Agent
Lukas Pedder is the Principal of McGrath Mildura with over a decade of experience in the Mildura region, known for his investor market expertise and negotiation skills. A former professional soccer player, Lukas applies a competitive, team-focused mindset to real estate and is Chair of the Football Victoria Sunraysia League Advisory Panel. His career highlights include recognition as one of Elite Agent Magazine’s Super Six rising agents. Visit Lukas’s website for more information of call Lukas on 0426203693.
Elite Agent case studies are first-hand accounts from agents, sharing the strategies behind real sales results. Every story is fact-checked and edited by the Elite Agent newsroom team.