Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Gympie real estate prodigies set to make it big
The Wide Bay and Burnett real estate scene is booming and we’ve found the younger real estate staff set to play a major part in the industry’s future. Meet them here.
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The Wide Bay real estate market is booming, with house prices across the five Wide Bay Burnett regional areas still climbing as the state’s property market continues a run dubbed ‘impressive’ by one industry expert.
The area is also the perfect breeding ground for up and coming real estate staff including agents and sales associates.
Meet some of the talent across the Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, Gympie and South Burnett regions.
Karla Ryan — Ray White Gympie and Pomona Hinterland
Age: 28
Years of experience: Two
What sets me apart: I excel in communication, am highly reliable, and am deeply determined.
With a strong sense of community, I am a passionate advocate for the lifestyle that the region offers.
My diverse life experiences, shaped by my upbringing, allow me to connect with people from all walks of life.
My goal in real estate: My goal is to further establish myself as a leading agent in the Mary Valley community, with a special focus on small acreage properties.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: I believe we will continue to see strong growth in the region as the bypass opens, the town flourishes, and more families relocate from the Sunshine Coast to enjoy the beautiful lifestyle our region has to offer.
Caleb Clarke — Ray White Gympie and Pomona Hinterland
Age: 26
Years of experience: Five
What sets me apart: Having been trained by Queensland’s number one Ray White office in Brisbane I’ve learnt to be dedicated to ensuring every detail is perfect, so my clients get the best possible results.
My energy and availability mean I’m always ready to show a property, answer questions, or provide guidance whenever you need it.
I pride myself on being attentive, really listening to your needs, and ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
Plus, my follow-up is second to none — I stay on top of every aspect of the transaction to make sure it’s a smooth and successful process from start to finish.
My goal in real estate: I want to make sure that I’m setting a benchmark for all clients to ensure they’ll associate myself and Ray White Gympie as the best option for real estate in the area.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: Gympie is ever-changing and rapidly becoming a place people want to lay their roots.
I anticipate a huge influx of people moving into the area which will push prices higher and see Gympie change into a satellite city.
We’ll see a number of new developments, both residential and commercial, which will enable us to have even more lifestyle options in the area.
Georgia Preston — Ray White Gympie and Pomona Hinterland
Age: 25
Years of experience: One
What sets me apart: As a young real estate agent with just one year of experience, I bring a fresh, energetic perspective to the industry that sets me apart from my peers.
My determination and motivation are my driving forces, propelling me to go above and beyond in every transaction.
My commitment to staying current with market trends allows me to provide each client with cutting-edge solutions and personalised service.
This blend of enthusiasm and a proactive approach ensures that I deliver exceptional results and a seamless experience for each client.
My goal in real estate: In real estate, my primary goals are to build lasting relationships with clients, ensuring they feel valued and understood throughout the process.
I am committed to creating a positive and seamless experience, where every client walks away satisfied and confident in their decisions.
My ultimate aim is to help buyers find their forever home — a place where they can truly feel at ease and build cherished memories
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: Over the next five years, the Gympie property market is likely to see gradual growth due to increasing population, infrastructure improvements and the region’s appeal for a quieter lifestyle.
Economic factors and local market dynamics will also play a role.
Overall, if demand continues to rise and supply remains tight, property values in Gympie could increase.
Kelly Weller — Ray White Bundaberg
Age: 41
Years of experience: Two
What sets me apart: My customer service, I try to provide my vendors and my buyers with the best real estate experience possible.
I try to go above and beyond when getting a property ready for market whether that be organising trades to get yards cleaned up of rubbish, cleaners in etc. as I know sometimes selling a home can be very overwhelming, especially for my older owners who may not be internet savvy.
This can make their real estate experience stressful so I try to relieve that for them as much as possible.
I also try to have all the information on hand for my buyers, if I can have the answers to the questions that I know they usually ask, then I can answer them then and there and they don’t have to go looking for the information themselves.
This may relate to flooding, vegetation and council mapping.
Overall I just try to be a nice person not the typical salesperson that people view real estate agents as.
I like my clients to feel like they can trust me, as this is a big life choice they are making and they need to feel comfortable when making it.
My goal in real estate: My goals would be to continue on from last financial year.
Last financial year I sold 72 properties, this year my goal is 80.
I was the highest selling agent for Ray White Bundaberg for the 2023/2024 financial year and I would like that to continue into 2024/2025.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: In my opinion I believe our region still has plenty of growth in it.
The buyers I am seeing at the moment are from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast mostly.
The cost of houses at the Sunshine Coast is pushing them north to more affordable areas and the Brisbane buyers I find used to live on acreage but are getting built out by subdivisions and are finding that their neighbourhoods are getting too busy now.
They are looking to find that quiet country lifestyle again.
Overall our region is still very affordable, when you think about it.
You can buy a reasonably nice home on acreage for $500,000 to $600,000 within 30 minutes to Bundaberg.
Bradley Barth — McGrath Estate Agents
Age: 31
Years of experience: Four
What sets me apart: Exceptional people skills and a genuine want to deliver the best service to buyers and seller.
I believe in building relationships based on trust, transparency and a genuine want to do the best by all parties involved.
My goal in real estate: To continue lifting the bar for work ethic and professionalism.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: Bundaberg and surrounds offer affordability and lifestyle that cannot be found further south anymore.
This is a driving factor which will continue to push and develop the region in the years to come.
Steve Bernstrom — McGrath Estate Agents Wide Bay
Age: 33
Years of experience: Four years
What sets me apart: My in-depth market knowledge and expertise in commercial real estate, particularly in the retail, industrial, and office sectors, is complemented by a genuine passion for the industry.
I pride myself on my ability to negotiate and facilitate seamless sales and leasing transactions, always prioritising clear and honest communication with my clients.
This approach not only builds trust but also empowers my clients to make well-informed decisions, ensuring they achieve the best possible outcomes.
My goal in real estate: My primary goal is to deliver outstanding results for my clients. I am committed to providing a level of service that helps clients confidently navigate the often-complex landscape of commercial real estate, making the process as straightforward and efficient as possible.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: The Bundaberg region has shown strong growth in recent years, with a steadily rising population and numerous proposed and approved developments in the pipeline.
Over the next five years, I expect this momentum to continue, in the residential and commercial property sectors.
This growth is likely to attract more national and multinational companies, which will boost employment opportunities and further stimulate the local economy.
Tegan Langridge — RealWay Bundaberg
Age: 34
Years of experience: 16, primarily in property management. I’ve just transitioned to sales.
What sets me apart: Growing up in a family business has ingrained in me the values of dedication and integrity.
My 15 years in property management have equipped me with resilience and a deep understanding of the industry, allowing me to navigate challenges with confidence and a level-headed approach.
My goal in real estate: My goal is to continuing growing and learning from our RealWay Team, striving to be successful and to be recognised for the same honest, friendly and reliable approach that our team is known for within our real estate community.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: I believe the Bundaberg region, with all it has to offer, will continue to attract not only locals but also those seeking a sea change.
With our community’s strong appeal and untapped potential, I am confident that the Bundaberg market will stay strong and continue to grow.
Rebecca Beer — Galaxy Real Estate, Bundaberg
Age: 39
Years of experience: I started in the real estate industry in 2002 and completed my course in 2003 so 22 years.
I have lived in the Bundaberg region since 1992.
What sets me apart: I have had experience in an array of real estate roles starting from a reception role through to property management and holiday accommodation management, marketing, sales agent and now real estate agency principal.
I have seen a lot of changes and developments to the landscape of the field over the years including technology and digital transformation, regulatory and legal changes, financing trends and global influences.
I grew up in the region and have firsthand experienced the growth of the Bundaberg region, the market trends, significant market fluctuations, effect of financial crisis, the subsequent recovery as well as recent trends influenced by economic conditions and interest rates.
These changes reflect a broader trend of increasing complexity and opportunity within the real estate industry.
Staying well-informed of these developments is crucial for professionals in the field to adapt and thrive.
My goal in real estate: My goal has always been to own my own agency and manage a team, which I now have.
My new goal is to create a unique real estate business that is not only highly reputable among the Bundaberg community but one that is caring and supports people to make the best decision for them.
I plan to build a place of work that provides an accepting culture that supports individuals to reach their full real estate career potential. For both male and females, in a once male-dominated industry.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: Bundaberg has experienced gradual population growth.
If the population and economic trends continue as expected, Bundaberg could see moderate property price increases, especially if infrastructure and amenities continue to improve.
Bundaberg’s property prices being below the national average makes it an attractive option for buyers and investors looking for more affordable alternatives to major cities.
A lower cost of living adds to the appeal for people considering a move to the region.
This can be particularly attractive for remote workers or those seeking a more relaxed lifestyle without the high expenses of city living. The rise of remote work and lifestyle becomes increasingly popular so will our region there may be increasing demand for regional properties, benefiting Bundaberg.
Bundaberg appears well-positioned to benefit from current trends in remote work and lifestyle preferences.
Its affordability, appealing lifestyle, and lower cost of living make it an attractive option for a variety of buyers.
If these trends continue, the region could see increased demand and gradual property-value growth.
Amanda Carter — Carter Cooper Realty, Fraser Coast
Age: 30 years old
Years of experience: 10
What sets me apart: What sets me apart is my deep local knowledge, having lived in Hervey Bay my whole life.
I have delivered excellent results for my clients across all market trends with over a decade of successful selling behind me.
On top of that I provide personalised marketing strategies tailored to each property.
I pride myself on having strong negotiation skills that ensure my clients receive the best possible price for their homes and I strive to make the buying and selling process as smooth and enjoyable as possible, ensuring that everyone I work with feels informed and empowered to make decisions and feels supported throughout the entire process, making it as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Ultimately, my genuine passion for helping people, commitment to providing excellent service and my modern marketing skills are what sets me apart in the real estate industry.
My goal in real estate: My goal in real estate is to become the ‘’go-to’’ local expert, by consistently sharing valuable market knowledge and staying ahead of the trends.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: I predict that the property market in Hervey Bay will see steady growth over the next five years.
With the area becoming increasingly popular for families and retirees alike, we can expect a boost in demand for housing.
As infrastructure improves and new developments emerge, Hervey Bay truly is a desirable location that offers both lifestyle and investment opportunities.
Kynan Zielke — McGrath Bundaberg
Age: 24
Years of experience: Three
What sets me apart: I think it’s my ability to listen to my clients and give them clear and honest advice.
My goal in real estate: To help people achieve their property goals.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: I think the Bundaberg and especially coastal market here will continue to perform very well as it has been. I think we will see a plateau of sorts with incremental changes to the market.
I believe only a major economic upset would really cause a significant change in prices.
Zachary Hodges — Ray White Bargara
Age: 23
Years of experience: Two
What sets me apart: My enthusiasm, dedication and obsession for real estate are what truly set me apart.
I love the process of marketing a property at its absolute best, ensuring we maximise its potential and appeal to the right buyers.
My goal in real estate: My goal is to become a trusted property expert and a central hub of information for anyone interested in real estate in the Bundaberg region.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: I’m optimistic about the future of property in the Wide Bay area.
With Bundaberg’s ongoing growth and increasing appeal to both locals and interstate buyers, I believe we will see steady demand, rising property values, and more investment interest.
I expect Bundaberg to remain an attractive market, especially as the regional lifestyle continues to draw more people seeking affordability and a relaxed coastal environment.
Hannah Barber — McGrath Bundaberg
Age: 34
Years of experience: 11
What sets me apart: As a compassionate and empathetic person, I feel incredibly blessed and fortunate when I get invited into someone’s home.
As a property flipper, maximising your investment can be done by a few simple steps.
When you employ me as your agent, I offer not only my negotiating skills, but also give my clients advice on how to get their home sale ready.
I feel this is a very important step, as it not only builds relationship and trust with your client, but you’re also giving helpful advice on what they can do to increase the value of their most valuable asset.
My goal in real estate: To build relationships and trust with my clients, and ensure I’m giving professional advice on how they can maximise their property value at the time of sale.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: When you see a high volume of infrastructure and development proposed and starting to make way, property prices will continue to grow giving many investors and homeowners the opportunity to hold, or cash in on their investment making a good profit.
After working in real estate and witnessing the housing market on the Gold Coast between 2011—2018, I’m seeing a lot of simulators in the Bundaberg region and I feel the housing market will continue to soar.
Tia Bryce — Harcourts Ignite
Age: 19
Years of experience: One
What sets me apart: My ambition and dedication sets me apart from the flock.
I have always been a high achiever and when I set my mind to something, I strive for success, whether that be personally or professionally.
I was the youngest graduate of my high school and was also awarded Dux of the school for my academic achievements and have never stopped pushing myself to be better.
I may be one of the youngest agents in the area but with my passion for real estate, my work ethic, my persistence and the fantastic team at Harcourts Ignite supporting me, I know I will do great things.
My goal in real estate: The Harcourts values are “People First; Doing the Right Thing; Being Courageous; Fun and Laughter” and they are what I practice day in, day out within my career and my goal is to keep these values in mind during every interaction and help make the buying or selling process an easy and enjoyable one for all of my clients.
The lifestyle changes and transition involved with buying or selling can be daunting, but the right agent can make that process a whole lot easier and that is who I want to be for my clients.
Being able to be a part of someone’s journey, even if in just a small way, knowing I made a positive difference in their life brings me joy.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: My prediction for property in the Wide Bay over the next 5 years is that the market will continue to steadily rise, as more homeowners relocate from out of state or larger cities to our growing area.
Grant Spring — South Burnett Real Estate
Age: 34
Years of experience: Five
What sets me apart: My prior work history was eight years of working in the civil construction industry.
I believe this work has given me a great perspective on many facets of working life from long, hot and labour-intensive days in places most people will never visit to high-profile jobs such as major international airports across the country dealing with multi million-dollar projects.
I think this experience has given me the ability to connect with wide spectrum of people from all walks of life.
Real estate is about people not houses.
My goal in real estate: It would be a lie to say making money is not a major driving factor as it is with everyone’s work.
But if people can walk away after selling or buying with me saying that was easy, low stress and “I’m glad I chose Grant”, that is the goal.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: The market in the South Burnett has seen a wild shift as many markets have over the past five years.
Currently the market is still very strong but has seen a slight slowdown mainly due to lack of stock.
The South Burnett is still a growing area for investment and development, if a trend of upgrading infrastructure and job development in the area can be achieved, I only see great things coming over the next five years.
Jamie Atkins — Across Country Real Estate
Age: 20
Years of experience: Four. I have been selling since I turned 18 and wouldn’t change it for anything.
What sets me apart: I have also completed a diploma in finance and am a qualified mortgage broker.
Alongside my mum, Tracey, who is also an agent, we have three offices — Murgon, Wondai and recently opened in Kingaroy.
In two years of selling, I have sold 57 properties.
Real estate is not only my job, but also my passion. I own three properties and spend my weekends and any free time renovating!
My goal in real estate: To build a network based on honesty, and integrity.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: I really predict the South Burnett to continue growing at a rapid rate over the next five years, it truly is a beautiful place to live.
Tylah Stinson — RealWay Bundaberg
Age: 20
Years of experience: Two
What sets me apart: Being a young person in the industry and having started my career at 18, I strive for success and am committed to never stop learning and adapting with the market.
I am dedicated to stay on top of real estate trends and aim to continuously improve my skills as an agent.
My goal in real estate: To create a positive impact and establish myself as a trusted agent in my region.
I am particularly passionate in assisting first-home buyers enter the real estate market and have a goal to assist as many people as I can find their dream home.
Prediction for property in the region over the next five years: My prediction for property in the Bundaberg region in the next five years is that the market will remain steady and in high demand, particularly the coastal suburbs as these offer a highly attractive lifestyle.
Have we missed a property young gun? Email letea.cavander@news.com.au.
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