Macarthur’s top real estate agents reveal tips for success

Between them they’ve sold millions of dollars worth of property but what motivates some of them may surprise you. Meet some of Macarthur’s leading real estate agents.

The property market boomed during Covid as buyers flocked to the market as homes became the office, classroom, playground, retreat, and temples in people’s lives.

After having sold hundreds of properties between them during the past two unprecedented years, some of the Macarthur real estate agents handing over the keys to dream homes have shared their stories from the industry.

We’ve interviewed five of the most popular and successful real estate agents based on feedback from The Macarthur Chronicle Facebook fans and data from online review platform RateMyAgent.

Meryl LaMacchia, My Property Consultants Camden

While a love for all things property-related might seem like the one crucial characteristic needed to be a real estate agent, Meryl LaMacchia said that’s not the case.

“It’s about more than the house or the unit or the land,” she said.

“Of course you need to know the local market, and you need to know what is going in from an economic point of view.

“But, most importantly, you need to know about people.”

Ms LaMacchia said it is exciting and heartwarming to help people buy or sell their dream home, but not everyone is going through a positive life experience when they reach out to a real estate agent.

“We get people who are going through divorces, or they have lost a loved one, or they are dealing with an illness or bankruptcy,” she said.

“Some people can be going through the worst time of their life, and I want to be able to help them.

“That’s why I love this job, and why I wanted to get into it – to help people every step of the way when they need it.”

Ms LaMacchia has been in the real estate game for five years, after working in marketing.

“I have been blessed to be in the best or one of the best markets of the last 25 years,” she said.

“It has been incredible to see the growth in the last 18 months.

“I think people’s expectations have probably been exceeded.”

Ms LaMacchia said she is proud of the progress she has made in the field after only five years.

“Now, on Rate My Agent, I am rated first in Camden Park and Camden South,” she said.

“It also feels more special, because there are not a lot of women in the industry.

“We work long hours, there is a lot of sacrifices made along the way, but it’s all worth it in the end.”

Anthony Bekiaris, Harcourts The Property People

Following in his father’s and uncle’s footsteps seemed like a natural choice for Anthony Bekiaris when it came to choosing a career.

“Back at school I always knew I wanted to get into real estate, because my family has been in it for many, many years,” he said.

“My dad and my uncle owned United Realty in Campbelltown. Leumeah and Ingleburn for 35 years.

“They are the founders of it, so not only did they run the office but they started the brand.”

Mr Bekiaris said he always had a love and passion for the industry and he had a best mentor he could find in his dad.

He thought “if I don’t enjoy it, I can always do something else”, but 18 years later it is safe to say he has found his calling.

“I cannot see myself doing anything else,” Mr Bekiaris said.

“Every day I am in it, my passion and love for this industry grows.”

Mr Bekiaris said over nearly two decades there have been a lot of changes in the Macarthur region, in the property market and the real estate industry itself.

“The way we sell real estate is very different as to it was when I was with my father,” he said.

“Technology has been a big part of that, and obviously Covid forced a lot of change as well.

“We have been all about adapting to the change, you need to move with the times.”

The big wins for Mr Bekiaris so far has been helping to nurture new talent that wants to make it in the real estate industry.

“There have been also a few sales that have been quite incredible including recently we sold a property in Mount Annan which got $366,000 above expectations,” he said.

“That is one of the highlights of my career. When we told the owner, he was crying over the phone.

“That sort of thing changes lives.”

Mr Bekiaris said while he loves his job, it’s not without it’s challenges and while many people see real estate as an “easy way to make money”, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“It’s a lot of hard work, and a lot of long days,” he said.

“It's a rewarding career but a lot of people don’t see the ups and downs we go through to establish ourselves.

“It takes a lot time. But, it is worth all the hard work.”

Andrew Diadyk, Stone Real Estate

Andrew Diadyk was just 20 years old when he set up his own real estate agency and in 12 months, during a global pandemic, single-handedly sold 32 homes in 12 months.

His career path was inspired by his parents who bought and sold properties while he was growing up.

At 17 years old, he landed a job as an assistant at a real estate agent. Then just three years later, he set up his own agency.

“It was quite young,” Mr Diadyk said.

“I think I thought I was completely ready, but I wasn’t. I was definitely thrown in the deep end and I had to learn a lot.

“It was a good to use it as a building block and start from scratch so I understand everything from the ground up.”

Mr Diadyk know works for Stone Real Estate equipped with all the lessons he learnt from working as a sole trader.

He said a highlight of his career so far was being awarded the St Helens Park Suburb Winner from Rate My Agent two years in a row.

“You don’t do it for the awards, but it is great to be recognised for the hard work you do,” Mr Diadyk said.

“At the end of the day, the best part is helping the seller get what they want and getting the buyer the home of their dreams.

“These days, it’s all about being honest and genuine in this business because there are a lot of fish in the real estate agent sea.”

Farha Diba, Raine and Horne Ingleburn

Farha Diba had been working for a decade in IT sales when her husband decided to open a Raine and Horne business in Ingleburn.

The couple relocated from Lane Cove to the Macarthur region to become a part of the local community.

Ms Diba began helping out with the real estate business, which felt like a “natural transition” from her career.

“Two years ago, I was looking after the rental side of things and I grew the business from 60 to over 220 rentals,” she said.

“Of course I was enjoying IT, and real estate felt more natural because I am working with people and families like me.

“I just love being able to help people, it’s one of the main reasons I love my job.”

Ms Diba said she is a competitive person and is always pushing herself to be better at what she does, making real estate a “perfect career”.

But, she said it is essential for real estate agents to have people skills.

“You need to build a connection with your clients because they are trusting you with something big,” Ms Diba said.

“I think I am people person.

“It’s not just about the money. I want to be here as a part of the community for the long-term.”

The mother of two young girls moved to sales last year, after leaving her former role in the IT world.

“Last year, I did 62 sales which is quite high for someone who is just starting their career really,” she said.

“I think the IT sales industry is much more complicated and you are dealing with multimillion-dollar companies so I think it really prepared me.

“Last year, I got the Macquarie Fields and Ingleburn Agent of the Year award from Rate My Agent which was really lovely.”

Shannon McDonnell, My Property Consultants

Shannon McDonnell. Picture: Rate My Agent

After 12 years of playing professional rugby league, Shannon McDonnell was ready for a new career.

“I always invested in and bought and sold real estate when I was younger and thought it would be interesting to get involved in the real estate side,” he said.

“It’s been five years now and I haven’t looked back.

“It’s one of those industries where you start from the bottom when you get into it and you have to build on it year on year.”

Mr McDonnell was born and raised in Camden, but moved away to Newcastle and then overseas for his sporting career.

So, even though he was a “local”, a lot had changed in the eight years he was away.

“Coming back and establishing myself was a bit of a grind,” Mr McDonnell said.

“But it has definitely been the most satisfying thing, and I am really proud of myself.”

Mr McDonnell said it has been incredible to be a part of the industry during Covid, as the market has boomed.

He said one of the best parts about being a real estate agent is “being your own boss”.

“You get out what you put in when it comes to this industry,” Mr McDonnell said.

“You can as hard as you want or as little but it shows in what you reap.

“When you work hard, it might take a bit but you do see the benefits and it’s rewarding.”