Sydney property market: Hills Shire real estate agents securing most home sales

We’ve uncovered the top agents in one of Sydney’s most in demand real estate markets. Check out their biggest sales, secrets of success and why they love The Hills Shire.

Sydney’s northwest is experiencing a stunning housing boom and real estate agents are fast discovering that glitzy and enviable properties are not confined to Sydney’s eastern suburbs and north shore.

House prices in The Hills are going through the roof — with some suburbs recording more than 50 per cent increases in just three years.

Now the agents cashing in on this boom are here to reveal their secrets, tricks of the trade and what makes The Hills such an in demand property market.

The analysis relied on data from international real estate reviews platform ratemyagent.com.au, as well as statistics agents have exclusively provided to NewsLocal.

Greg Nicolson, Louis Carr

Sold the most properties in Cherrybrook

Greg Nicolson

After working as a landscape gardener, Greg Nicolson decided to dive headfirst into the competitive world of real estate and, as he puts it, “the rest is history”.

For the past 14 years, Mr Nicolson has been working with Louis Carr Real Estate in The Hills Shire.

Along with his partner Jessica Campbell, Mr Nicolson has sold over $100 million worth of residential properties in the past 12 months alone.

“Our team just set the suburb record in Cherrybrook in March for the first home to sell above $3 million,” Mr Nicolson said.

But there isn’t one achievement he is most proud of, instead it’s the fact he has “consistently stayed at the top of our market and set record results”.

Ben Jobberns, Guardian Realty

Sold the most properties in Dural

Ben Jobberns

After a brief stint as an actor and auctioneer, Ben Jobberns entered the real estate industry and hasn’t looked back since.

Mr Jobberns loves the fact “no two days are the same” in real estate and prides himself on his excellent negotiation skills — “the ‘sport’ of a good negotiation,” as he puts it.

One negotiation which stands out for Mr Jobberns was when a client was set to sell a property to an off-market buyer for just over $6 million.

The client gave Mr Jobberns 30 days to see if he could increase the sale price and he convinced a buyer to pay $8.8 million instead.

Greg Mainstone, Opes Property Partners

Sold the most properties in Beaumont Hills

Greg Mainstone

A lifelong resident of the Hills District, Greg Mainstone has sold about 70 homes to new buyers in the past year alone.

Mr Mainstone knows The Hills Shire — particularly the areas around Beaumont Hills, Kellyville and Castle Hill — like the back of his hand.

He prides himself on building a business based on trust and credibility.

For him, real estate is “a very human industry”.

“Helping people move onto the next chapter of their lives is a huge privilege and being trusted with their biggest asset is extremely rewarding,” Mr Mainstone said.

James Holvander, Meridien Realty

Sold the most properties in Rouse Hill

James Holvander

James Holvander has earned the impressive accolades of both selling the most houses in Rouse Hill and achieving the highest average sale price in 2021.

In the past year, Mr Holvander has sold over 40 properties.

Mr Holvander says the trust and relationships he builds with his clients are at the heart of why he loves his profession.

“I genuinely enjoy the satisfaction of assisting my clients navigate through their next chapter,” he said.

“There’s a lot of problem solving that goes with the territory - no two situations are the same. But it’s building trust that gives me a real buzz.”

David Choy, McGrath

Sold the most properties in Castle Hill

David Choy

For the last nine years, David Choy has consistently been ranked as one of the top 100 agents in Australia at the Real Estate Business (REB) Awards.

A lifelong Hills resident, Mr Choy has also worn the hat of Castle Hill’s number one real estate agent in both 2021 and 2022.

He is also ranked as one of the top 10 agents within the McGrath real estate network.

Mr Choy says his success comes down to his personality — he loves the dynamic nature of the real estate industry.

“I love helping buyers purchase a property and helping sellers relocate,” he said.

Jennifer Carr, Louis Carr

Sold the most properties in West Pennant Hills

Jennifer Carr

Real estate is in Jennifer Carr’s blood. Her grandmother, Melba Branz, was a real estate agent in Dural from the 1950s onwards and ran her own real estate business.

Ms Carr joined her grandmother and they worked alongside each other at Galston Dural Estate Agency until Ms Branz retired at the age of 80.

Now, Ms Carr’s eldest son, William, is also continuing the family business and working with his mum.

Together, they achieved the record highest price residential sale this year 2022 for $7.8 million house in West Pennant Hills.

Ms Carr has also sold 150 properties in the last 12 months alone, amassing to almost $400 million in total value.

“My job is my passion,” Ms Carr said. “It’s the excitement every day of not knowing what the day may bring.”

Jay Bacani, Manor Real Estate

Sold the most properties in Baulkham Hills

Jay Bacani

Jay Bacani is ranked number one for the most properties sold in The Hills Shire and he’s also earned the cap of achieving the third highest amount of sales in Sydney out of whooping 9061 agents.

This year alone, Mr Bacani has sold 188 properties.

Mr Bacani says he loved the fast-paced environment of the real estate industry and being able to devise strategies to help people buy the homes of their dreams.

Paul Hanna, Manor Real Estate

Sold the most properties in Bella Vista

Paul Hanna

A lifelong Hills resident, Paul Hanna is passionate about the area he now works as a real estate agent in.

Mr Hanna is involved in record setting sales, ranging from $500,000 to over $5 million.

He says real estate was a natural fit for him professionally.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with people and property, creating relationships with people from all walks of life,” Mr Hanna said.

“It’s also a great feeling helping people achieve results for their properties that they never thought would be possible.”