‘Where the heart is’: Boutique agency opens with bang

A group of long-time locals have banded together to offer the Coast a "fresh" approach to selling real estate.

The team at Home Sunshine Coast Kate Jewry, Izzy Perciebal and cousins Josh and Jay Sherwell. Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

KATE Jewry and Jay Sherwell's love of the Sunshine Coast has been unwavering and now they are sharing that love through a new business.

The long-time locals and real estate agents have stepped out together to offer the region a "fresh and old-fashioned" approach to selling property.

It's been a month to the day since the pair unveiled Home Sunshine Coast along Mooloolaba's Brisbane Rd, just a stone's throw from where they grew up.

Fellow agent Josh Sherwell, Jay's cousin, came on board as did Izzy Percival to run the front office.

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In the first five weeks, the agency sold five properties and signed up 22 listings in what Ms Jewry said was a great start.

"Matching the right family to the right home is a wonderful feeling," Ms Jewry said.

"Listening to what our clients want is so important - not seeing dollar signs - and building relationships and trust.

"It's not an overnight thing for us."

The team at Home Sunshine Coast Kate Jewry, Izzy Perciebal and cousins Josh and Jay Sherwell. Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

Jay established himself in property when he sold his logistics business 12 years ago. He saw an ad for real estate and jumped at it.

"I've always wanted to be at the helm," he said of being his own boss.

"I'd love for us to maintain our intimate feel and being a true local service.

"It's about finding the right people to work with too.

"We are all locals from Mooloolaba and Alex. We love the Coast."

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It was Jay who lured in Josh, who was working as a lifeguard.

"He told me it was time to get a real job," Josh, the son of surfing instructor Robbie, said.

Sixteen years after she traded selling toys for houses, Ms Jewry had a light-bulb moment regarding the name of the business.

"We are all lucky enough to have travelled the world, but the Coast will always be home," she said.

"Home is where the heart is.

"I actually woke up literally in the middle of the night and thought 'home'. We checked the names and it was available."

All four agreed the Sunshine Coast was well placed to boom in the post-pandemic world.

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