By Ingrid Medlicott and Georgia East, Gittoes Real Estate
Selling an acreage property on the Central Coast is different from selling a typical suburban home. Beyond the house itself, buyers want to understand the land, the lifestyle, the surrounding environment and what they may be able to do with the property.
For owners in Matcham, Holgate and surrounding acreage communities, this makes choosing an agent with genuine local knowledge particularly important.
Quick Answer: When selling acreage on the Central Coast, local expertise matters because every property has different characteristics, opportunities and constraints. An agent familiar with the area can better explain the property’s features, understand what buyers are looking for, identify questions requiring further investigation and develop a marketing strategy suited to the property.
Ingrid Medlicott and Georgia East Discuss Central Coast Acreage with Lee Woodward
Gittoes Real Estate acreage specialists Ingrid Medlicott and Georgia East recently joined respected real estate trainer Lee Woodward on Real Estate Across Australia to discuss their approach to selling acreage properties, the importance of local knowledge and their experience working across Matcham, Holgate and surrounding areas.
Why Specialising in a Local Area Matters
One of the key points Ingrid and Georgia discussed during their interview was the importance of concentrating on the areas they know best.
Their primary focus is Matcham and Holgate, together with nearby Mount Elliot. They also work with acreage and lifestyle properties in Lisarow, Erina, Wamberal and Picketts Valley.
Rather than attempting to cover every acreage market across the Central Coast, their approach is to concentrate on locations where they have established knowledge, experience and relationships.
This allows them to spend more time with clients, accommodate buyer inspections throughout the week and on Saturdays, and provide detailed information about individual properties and their surrounding communities.
Ingrid is also a long-time Matcham resident, actively involved in the local community. Her experience living and working in the area provides insight that extends beyond recent property sales.
As Ingrid and Georgia explained during the interview, local knowledge includes the everyday details buyers ask about, from school catchments and community activities to the practical considerations of living on acreage.
Acreage Buyers Look Beyond the House
When someone purchases a traditional residential property, their priorities might include the number of bedrooms, the floor plan, the condition of the home and its proximity to amenities.
While these considerations remain important for acreage buyers, the land itself introduces another level of complexity.
Depending on the property, buyers may want to understand:
- Land use and zoning: What activities are permitted, and whether future development or additional accommodation may be possible.
- Environmental considerations: Bushfire-prone land, vegetation protection, drainage, flooding and other natural constraints.
- Property infrastructure: Water storage, wastewater systems, fencing, sheds, driveways and access arrangements.
- Usable land: How the topography, vegetation and existing improvements affect the practical use of the property.
- Local lifestyle: Nearby schools, community facilities, travel times and the advantages of living in a particular acreage neighbourhood.
These considerations can influence how buyers assess a property and whether it meets their requirements.
An agent with experience in the local acreage market can help buyers understand the property’s features, identify relevant information and recognise when a question requires advice from council or an appropriately qualified professional.
Understanding Zoning and Environmental Constraints
One area where local knowledge can be particularly valuable is understanding the planning and environmental considerations that apply to acreage properties.
Two properties of a similar size, even within the same suburb, may have different zoning, development controls or environmental constraints.
For example, buyers might ask whether they can build a secondary dwelling, establish additional structures, keep particular animals or subdivide their land.
These questions cannot be answered simply by looking at the property’s size.
In NSW, the NSW Planning Portal Spatial Viewer provides access to zoning and planning information. A Section 10.7 Planning Certificate can provide further details about applicable planning controls and constraints.
Environmental considerations are equally important. Central Coast Council also has requirements relating to vegetation management, and approvals may be required for certain tree removal or clearing activities.
Understanding which questions need to be investigated helps sellers prepare accurate information and gives buyers greater clarity during their decision-making process.
While estate agents can assist with relevant property information, development potential and permitted uses should always be confirmed through the appropriate authorities and qualified advisers.
Case Study: 85 Macdonalds Road, Lisarow
A practical example discussed during Ingrid and Georgia’s interview was the Gittoes sale of 85 Macdonalds Road, Lisarow.
This substantial lifestyle property occupied approximately 4.8 acres and featured a six-bedroom residence, established park-like grounds and flexible accommodation that was marketed for its potential to suit multi-generational living.
The property sold for $3,300,000 on 15 May 2026.
The campaign provides an example of the type of distinctive acreage property that requires an individual approach to presentation and marketing.
Features such as the layout of the residence, privacy, established gardens, usable outdoor areas and accommodation flexibility can appeal to different buyers for different reasons.
Understanding these priorities is important when identifying a property’s likely audience and explaining its particular strengths.
Every acreage property is different, and a successful campaign begins with recognising what makes that property appealing in its own market.
Understanding Who Is Buying Central Coast Acreage
During the interview, Lee Woodward also asked whether acreage buyers were predominantly seeking permanent residences or weekend retreats.
Ingrid and Georgia explained that they encounter a combination of both, although permanent residents make up the majority of buyers in their experience.
For some buyers, acreage offers the opportunity to raise a family with more space, privacy and room for outdoor activities.
Others may be seeking a quieter lifestyle, a property with established gardens or somewhere that offers separation from neighbouring homes while remaining accessible to the Central Coast’s beaches, schools and shopping areas.
Understanding these different motivations can influence which features an agent highlights, how inspections are conducted and the way a property is presented to prospective purchasers.
Why Personalised Service Makes a Difference
Acreage properties can require more time to inspect and understand than a conventional suburban home.
Prospective buyers may want to walk the grounds, examine outbuildings, ask detailed questions about infrastructure or arrange additional inspections with relevant specialists.
This is another reason Ingrid and Georgia place importance on keeping their geographic focus concentrated.
By working within familiar acreage markets and maintaining a focused approach to their clients, they aim to provide buyers with the time and information they need while keeping sellers informed throughout their campaigns.
For sellers, that means working with agents who understand both the local property market and the practical considerations involved in presenting an acreage property for sale.
Thinking About Selling Acreage in Matcham, Holgate or Surrounding Areas?
If you are considering selling your acreage property, understanding its individual characteristics and current market position is a useful place to start.
At Gittoes Real Estate, Ingrid Medlicott and Georgia East specialise in acreage and lifestyle properties, with a particular focus on Matcham, Holgate and the surrounding Central Coast communities.
Whether you are preparing to sell now or simply considering your options, Ingrid and Georgia can discuss your property’s likely market position, potential buyers and a preparation strategy suited to your circumstances.
To arrange a confidential discussion or property appraisal, contact Ingrid on 0428 372 953, Georgia on 0435 076 003, or request a market appraisal through Gittoes Real Estate.