Warwick real estate icon Darryl Evans sells up First National Real Estate in major industry shake-up

The mainstay Rose City real estate agent has made the tough decision to step back due to health concerns, but says the industry hasn’t seen the last of him just yet.

Local real estate icon Darryl Evans will spend some time on his new tractor.

Warwick real estate agent Darryl Evans has made the tough call to step back from the industry, a decision that signals some major changes for the town’s rental sector.

The First National Real Estate owner has sold off the agency’s rental portfolio to Ray White Rural, after Mr Evans was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago.

He said the region’s property market was performing strongly, making it an ideal time to hand over the rent roll boasting about 140 homes.

Not one to be pitied, Mr Evans added the sale was a smart business opportunity that would help set him up for life beyond the property market.

“I’ve bought myself a tractor, so I’ll be riding around on that,” he said.

Ray White Rural will formally start managing the properties on Tuesday, but Mr Evans said he will still be working behind the scenes for several weeks to come.

Ray White licensee Ben Lubben said the move was a natural progression as the business continued to grow.

“We’re already managing around 70 properties so that now puts us over the 200 (property) mark,” Mr Lubben said.

Mr Lubben said First National property manager Nicola Beggs would be working closely with the Ray White team to ensure a smooth transition.

Ray White would also be moving into a new and larger premises on July 1.

Mr Lubben said it was his belief COVID had prompted buyers to move to regional areas such as Warwick, which was putting the squeeze on renters and the town’s already in-demand market.