John McGrath rates his top real estate agents of 2024 to speak at AREC2024
Only the best of the best real estate agents get to present at this make-or-break event for 2024. Property guru John McGrath explains who it will be and why.
Property
Don't miss out on the headlines from Property. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Real estate guru John McGrath’s annual AREC conference on the Gold Coast is close to a sellout, with 4000 tickets sold a week out from the 26-27 May event.
AREC is known for boasting some of Australia’s most inspirational agents as speakers, all hand selected by McGrath himself.
It’s the ultimate brand-boost for agents selected to speak, so what do you have to do to get the call up?
I spoke to John McGrath about what he and industry heavyweight Tom Panos look for in a potential speaker.
‘BALANCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND VALUES’
“Tom and I sit down about six to nine months out and have a discussion about what the opportunities or threats to the industry are, the themes and challenges, and then we look for agents that have got expertise and a story that would fit into those themes,” McGrath explained.
“Who we think is going to provide some great takeaways, which is critical, but also who is inspiring as an individual, because you can read good takeaways in a book.”
McGrath says that on the professional side it’s about a balance between success and values.
“It’s about doing great business, but doing it the right way. It doesn’t matter if you’re selling $300,000 homes, or $3 million or $30 million. We’re interested in people that are doing it with humility and integrity,” he said.
“These are two things that are important to us, so we tend towards agents that really embody that.”
Then it becomes about variety and diversity.
McGrath and Panos want agents from a range of geographical locations across Australia and New Zealand, plus those working in top end and bottom end markets, metro and regional, those doing high sales volumes and those doing high sales values. And a balance of male and female agents too.
“You can’t tick every box at every event but we try and get as close to it as possible,” McGrath said.
“Tom is out in the market, so has a great knowledge of the agents out there who come through his network. He knows who’s emerging and who could be a future superstar.”
Importantly, McGrath keeps AREC separate from his own brand and business. This means he regularly invites competitors to speak.
“We’ve got 135 offices now, so pretty much every speaker this year will be competing with us but we say that’s fine, he said.
“We are very happy to just put on the best event.”
Each year, there are a number of big name speakers, with the keynote for 2024 being Hollywood star and football team owner Ryan Reynolds.
Here are some of the local real estate agents joining the international stars on stage.
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS SPEAKING AT AREC2024
Marnie Seinor- McGrath Estate Agents
“Marnie’s been a single mum for a number of years and she’s raised her kids and built her business significantly. Trying to take on an important dual role of raising a family while trying to run a seven day a week business is really daunting. I have people say to me they are having trouble balancing the two, and I tell them to give Marnie Seinor a call, because she’s done a superb job and will be able to give you some coaching on balancing the work life and home life,” John McGrath
Sarah Hackett- Place Estate Agents
“Place has become one of the best brands in the country. Sarah has been a big part of that and she has been an incredibly successful business owner and they’ve built a great brand.
She is someone who has played the role of raising a family at the same time as being a successful agent,” John McGrath.
Trevor Bowen- Ray White
“What we love about Trev is that he’s a million-dollar writer and he’s a fireman two or three days a week, so he’s saving lives, which is far more important than real estate, but he’s able to juggle the two careers. Most people working six or seven days would have trouble getting anywhere near his level of market share and then he goes out on the weekend and fights fires. It’s really an extraordinarily inspiring story,” John McGrath
Dib Chidiac- DibChidiac
“Dib moved from Raine and Horne to his own personal brand and I’d say there’s very few people in this country who have dominated a significant market as quickly as he did when he moved. He’s taken over the market share in Concord very quickly. He’d be hard to beat when it comes to success stories over the last five years,” John McGrath.
Gavin Rubinstein- The Rubinstein Group
“Gavin stands as a beacon of excellence in Sydney’s bustling real estate scene. His unwavering dedication and scrupulous eye for detail have not only won him a reputation as an esteemed property adviser but also transformed significant life transactions into seamless experiences for his clients. Gavin’s expertise encompasses commercial ventures, property management, and project leadership. A sought-after speaker at industry events and the host of a popular real estate podcast, Gavin offers a well-rounded and authoritative perspective on all real estate matters”. AREC bio
Meagan Muir- Place Estate Agents
“Skilled in managing a variety of real estate transactions, her professionalism and dedication make her a distinguished figure in the field, driven by a genuine desire to achieve remarkable results for those she represents.
Meagan Muir emerges in the real estate landscape as a powerhouse of passion, dynamism, and unparalleled client service.” AREC bio
Chris Gilmour- All Properties Group
“Chris has earned a reputation for representing a high-profile clientele, including noted sports figures and V8 Supercar drivers, showcasing his ability to cater to a wide array of client needs. Beyond his business endeavours, Chris is committed to serving the community, believing that professional success is truly meaningful when it contributes to a positive societal impact.” AREC bio
Peter Diamantidis- Ray White
“Entering the realm of real estate at the tender age of 15, Peter quickly ascended from property management to the pinnacle of property sales, a testament to his relentless drive and acumen. His efforts have consistently placed him among Australia’s top 50 agents, a streak unbroken for seven years and counting.” AREC bio
Andrew Liddell- Bresic Whitney
“Balancing his professional achievements, Andrew is a devoted father to four young children, deeply valuing relationships and repeat business. His dedication to maintaining high professional standards and building enduring connections underscores his success in the real estate domain.
Renowned for orchestrating standout sales and setting new benchmarks in the market, Andrew’s expertise encompasses some of the most prestigious properties in the area.” AREC bio
Suzanne Hibberd- Abode Property
“Suzanne is a powerhouse Agent in Sydney’s southern suburbs. She specialises in both residential sales & development sites & Suzanne has set numerous records over her illustrious 30 year career.” according to her AREC bio.
Fiona Horne- Sothebys
“Fiona Horne is a leading figure in Hawkes Bay’s real estate scene, and she is celebrated for her unwavering dedication to client satisfaction and excellence. She has demonstrated that superior client care leads to unmatched success, grounded in her belief that understanding past performance is key to predicting future outcomes.” AREC bio
Robyn Ellson- Ray White
“Robyn Ellson is a luminary in the real estate sector, whose career is as dynamic as it is impressive. Entering the industry in 2011, she immediately set a new benchmark in Auckland’s competitive market, clinching the title of Rookie of the Year by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand in 2012. This early accolade was only the beginning of a journey marked by continuous growth and achievement. By 2021, Robyn had ascended to the prestigious position of number 2 for Ray White in New Zealand.” - according to her AREC bio.
AREC runs 26-27 May, at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Shock jobs with the best chance of buying an SA home
Leaving school and looking to buy your first home? New research has revealed which uni and TAFE courses will get you onto the property ladder the fastest – and the list may surprise you.
Revealed: Real reason behind Coast’s record property prices
The supply of new Gold Coast units on the market has plummeted, with a report warning the crunch on the property sector has worsened in the past 18-months.