Nearly forty years in the neighbourhood.

Ben Potter is a licensed real estate salesperson with Harcourts Cooper & Co in Devonport. He has been on the Devonport Peninsula for 38 years and sells homes across Devonport, Belmont, and Bayswater, as well as Narrow Neck, Stanley Point, Hauraki, and Takapuna. His father, Gary Potter, has been a trusted real estate agent in the same areas for close to 25 years.

Devonport, Belmont and Bayswater are his core suburbs, and he regularly sells in the neighbouring pockets of Narrow Neck, Stanley Point, Hauraki and Takapuna. Working a small, well-defined patch is deliberate: it means he knows the properties, the streets, and the buyers already looking in the neighbourhoods.

Fill in the form on the appraisal page or call Ben on 027 953 0210. Appraisals are free and obligation-free. You'll get a written estimate of value based on recent comparable sales near you, a recommended method of sale, and a marketing plan and budget before you commit to anything.

Selling time varies depending on the property, pricing, presentation, market conditions and buyer demand. Homes that are prepared properly before they list tend to sell faster and for more, which is why Ben prefers to talk to owners well before the sign goes up.

The right method depends on the property, the likely buyer pool and the level of competition we expect to create. Auction can work particularly well when several buyers are likely to compete for the same home. A deadline sale can suit properties with broad appeal where buyers need time to complete their checks, while a priced campaign may work better when buyers are closely comparing similar properties. Tender can also help when flexibility around terms or timing matters. Ben recommends the method as part of the appraisal and explains the reasoning behind it, so the campaign is tailored to the property rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.

Commission is agreed up front and is only payable when your home sells. Marketing costs depend on the campaign you choose. Ben provides a written estimate of both before you sign an agency agreement, so there are no surprises later.

Yes. Some Peninsula properties are sold off-market or before a full public campaign, to buyers already registered with Ben. If you're buying, register your brief so you hear about homes before they're advertised. If you're selling, a quiet approach to the right buyer can be part of the plan, though it's worth understanding the trade-offs first.

Well-presented homes on the North Shore continue to attract local buyers waiting for the right property. Whether now suits you depends on your home and your timing, and Ben will tell you honestly if he thinks you're better off preparing and waiting.