Campbelltown, Camden real estate agents share secrets to success

These real estate agents have sold hundreds of properties worth billions of dollars during their careers. Meet Macarthur’s top real estate agents.

Macarthur is one of the fastest-growing regions in the Sydney metropolitan area with dozens of modern suburbs popping up in recent decades.

With the region growing and the Covid pandemic forcing people to work from home, thousands of people have turned to southwest Sydney to settle down and build their dream homes.

The property boom has seen real estate agents across the region smash records, with agents selling hundreds of properties between them this year.

We have rounded up seven of the most successful real estate agents, selling millions of dollars worth of property and handing over the keys to dream homes in the region.

From agents who have been in the industry for decades to people who have joined the family business, these agents are sharing their top tricks for buyers and sellers.

MERYL LAMACCHIA

Meryl LaMacchia had a cafe before she began her life in real estate.

AGENCY: MY PROPERTY CONSULTANTS

PROPERTIES SOLD IN 20/21: 88

Meryl LaMacchia began her journey as a real estate agent four years ago and says she “never looked back”.

In the last financial year, she was involved in the sale of 88 homes across the Macarthur region.

Originally owning a cafe at Camden, Ms LaMacchia said she was ready to be challenged but loved the people and the local community, and wanted to make a “meaningful positive impact in their lives”.

“I was fortunate enough to be offered a position at the agency of my choice, MY Property Consultants as a sales agent which I knew was a perfect fit with talented mentors and an opportunity to work with some of our most experienced local agents,” she told the Macarthur Chronicle.

While starting out wasn’t easy, Ms LaMacchia said the job quickly turned into a “lifestyle” and her local knowledge and interest in marketing has pushed her to be a successful real estate agent.

“I am proud of my achievements to date and look forward to what is in front of me, I can say there is not one day I wake up feeling as though I am going to work,” she said.

Ms LaMacchia credits her 88 sales to her “competitive nature” and loves to achieve “great sale prices” for vendors.

TOP TIP: My top tip for a buyer is if they find the right home for them to then put your best foot forward when negotiating to secure the right property to call ‘ home’. If you find the “one’’ … a property you would dearly like to call home then act decisively as it may be gone tomorrow.

GAVIN MAGUIRE

Gavin Maguire was a tradie for 20 years before becoming a real estate agent.

AGENCY: STARR PARTNERS CAMPBELLTOWN

PROPERTIES SOLD IN 20/21: 36

After a 20-year career as a tradie, Gavin Maguire chose to flip his life upside-down and jump into the world of real estate.

“My body was begging me to take on a new career and I have always been interested in real estate so I did my training and received my credentials,” Mr Maguire said.

“It’s been the best move I’ve made as I really enjoy being around people and I am passionate in helping people buy and sell their biggest asset.”

While only being in his first year as a sole agent, Mr Maguire sold a total of 26 properties in the last financial year.

He says the housing market in the Macarthur region is booming, mainly because supply can’t keep up with the demand.

“The suburbs I have found that are in high demand are Eagle Vale, Eschol Park, Raby and Woodbine,” he said.

Mr Maguire says buyers need to have their finances in order, do their homework and have a solicitor on hand.

TOP TIP: “Make sure you have your finances in order – in today’s climate; houses are selling really quickly so if you inspect a home you fall in love with – you need to be ready to make an offer and be in a position to finalise the sale – otherwise you will miss out.

“Do your homework – research the current market in your area; it’s important to understand what people are willing to pay for your home and this can be achieved by researching other houses in your suburb to see what they are being sold for, as this will also effect you if you are selling your home to buy a new one. Understand that it’s all relative to the current economic situation.”

ZAC CRONIN

Zac Cronin has been a real estate agent for 21 years.

AGENCY: MY PROPERTY CONSULTANTS

PROPERTIES SOLD IN 20/21: 139

A real estate agent of 21 years, Zac Cronin said his time in the industry had helped him grow into the salesman he is today.

He started his career as an assistant in sales and property, and is now a partner at My Property Consultants, selling 139 properties in the last financial year.

Mr Cronin urges locals to research the area they are looking to purchase in and even suggests buying homes off a plan, as it reduces competition and allows buyers more time to save.

“It’s also important to find out what government grants and incentives are also available,” he said.

If buying at an auction, Mr Cronin suggests buyers get pre-approvals for loans and find one that suits their needs.

TOP TIP: “Act quickly and offer strongly if its a property you‘re interested in, be deposit ready and make sure you set yourself a limit also see if there is an option of a 5 per cent deposit.”

DEREK STONE

Derek Stone sold 38 homes in the last financial year.

AGENCY: STARR PARTNERS CAMPBELLTOWN

PROPERTIES SOLD IN 20/21: 38

Derek Stone has been in the game for 23 years and knew he wanted to be a real estate agent for as long as he could remember.

“I was in housing commission until I was 17 and I wanted a career as far away from my upbringing as I possibly could have,” he said.

“I also wanted to instil the beliefs and the experiences I had been through and be in a ‘peoples business’.”

“After a little research I decided on real estate and have honestly never looked back.”

Without a personal assistant, Mr Stone sold a total of 38 homes in the 20-21 financial year.

TOP TIP: Mr Stone’s top tip: Have your pre-approval in order.

“Finance at the moment is paramount and you must know exactly what you can afford,” he said.

“Get to know a couple of local agents and really strike up a relationship so they remember you when a hot new listing is coming to market.”

TROY HOLMES

Troy Holmes began his real estate career in Dapto before coming to Macarthur.

AGENCY: HOLMES REAL ESTATE

PROPERTIES SOLD IN 20/21: 56

Troy Holmes woke up one day and thought “why not” and doorknocked real estate agents until someone decided to give him a job.

“I worked at Benelong Apartments and I’d watch agents come in and try and sell the apartments and thought, I can do that,” he said.

“So I prospected and door knocked real estate offices until someone gave me a job, which was at Dougmal in Dapto in 2002.”

Mr Holmes told the Macarthur Chronicle his son was born 10 days after he started and now also works in the industry.

According to Mr Holmes, new suburbs in the Macarthur region were booming, including Spring Farm, Gregory Hills and Elderslie.

TOP TIP: “Be ready to buy BUT don’t panic, buying the wrong home is more expensive than watching the market go up.

“While neglected, my TOP tip would be look at Bradbury, it’s perfectly positioned next to Campbelltown and very close to transport, hospital, shopping, and all other amenities it’s a sleepier that will cash in on long term.”

SHAUN PEREIRA

Shaun Pereira jumped into real estate from a career in the finance industry.

AGENCY: CENTURY 21

PROPERTIES SOLD IN 20/21: 60

Shaun Pereira has been a real estate agent for 10 years, taking after his father who has been in the game a quarter of a century.

While his father has been in the industry for so long, Mr Pereira originally did a degree in business, majoring in accounting and became a chartered accountant beginning his degree in the finance industry.

“My passion for property and for assisting my clients with their property goals led me to make the change, I have no regrets,” he said.

In the last financial year, Mr Pereira has sold approximately 60 homes both on and off the market.

“The entire southwest region is booming at the moment and the Western Sydney Airport and the ability of people to work from home has been a big catalyst for this,” he said.

“Harrington Park has seen incredibly strong growth over the last 12 months with an abundance of local upgraders and out of area buyers wanting to move into Macarthur's premier locale.

“Other areas showing strong growth are the small acreage markets of Grasmere and Ellis Lane, Elderslie, Gledswood Hills, Mount Annan and Narellan Vale just to name a few.”

TOP TIP: Don’t be afraid to make an offer if you like a home.

“It can be daunting when you have a large number of buyers competing for the same home but submitting an offer will show the agent that you are a serious buyer and even if you miss out on the current home, there may be another one coming up the agent can assist you with,” he said.

“Work with the agent and remember, property always goes up so don’t get fixated on what the home was worth 18 months ago – think of what it will be worth five years from now.”

ANNA YOUNAN

Anna Younan has been in the game for 14 years.

AGENCY: GILBERT & YOUNAN

PROPERTIES SOLD IN 20/21: 96

Anna Younan began her career 14 years ago but didn’t have the traditional start as a real estate agent.

The successful agent began in the accounts department and quickly progressed to become a sales agent.

In the last financial year she was involved in the sale of 88 homes across the Macarthur region.

Ms Younan says the market across Campbelltown and Camden has been strong as so many families are looking to lay foundations in the area.

“I have found the homes in Macarthur and Campbelltown areas having been selling very well during the last few months,” she said.

TOP TIP: “I would recommend doing your research on recent sales in suburbs you are planning to buy to ensure you are putting your best foot forward with offers.”