Toowoomba real estate power list: Realway, Re/Max, Colliers among 41 of the best-selling property agents across the region
Toowoomba has one of the hottest property markets in Queensland right now, and the agents powering the sales have seen some staggering numbers. Find out who made number one here:
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Toowoomba’s property market is running hot right now, and the region’s agents are cashing in.
More than 40 of the Garden City’s best property agents have revealed combined sales of more than $1bn during the 2021-22 financial year.
It comes during a major flashpoint for buyers and renters as housing stock is snapped up quickly and rental vacancy rates sit at 0.3 per cent.
The Chronicle has crunched the numbers on the best performers, with teams dominating the list in both number of settled properties and total value of sales.
Agencies Belle Property, The Agency, Raine and Horne, House Estate Agents, McAdam and Turnbull, Hodge Real Estate and Tomoro were all approached to be included.
41. DAVID BENNETT – Webster Cavanagh Marsden
Total sales: $11.4m
Properties settled: 21
Average: $542,800
Mr Bennett first arrived in Toowoomba in 1982 and he fell in love with the city and the surrounds.
He had practised for years in Brisbane as a leading estate agent and auctioneer before returning to Toowoomba in late 2018.
40. GEOFF MARTIN – LJ Hooker Toowoomba
Total sales: $11.94m
Properties settled: 32
Average: $373,000
Mr Martin, who has extensive background in property sales and marketing, said the Toowoomba real estate market had performed strongly over the past two years.
“We are seeing now despite the interest rate rises and media that has focused on the Melbourne and Sydney market strong performances in regional areas,” he said.
“Days on market are still very low and with high demand for housing, coupled with the amount of infrastructure planned, Toowoomba is well placed for the future.”
39. JULES COUTTS – Webster Cavanagh Rural
Total sales: $12.2m
Properties settled: 27
Average: $451,800
Raised on a cattle and grain property south of Meandarra, Ms Coutts has been in real estate since 2016 but said she had a “deep appreciation of farming and the lifestyle that comes with it”.
38. KENT WOODFORD – Ray White Highfields/Toowoomba Range
Total sales: $13.15m
Properties settled: 24
Average: $547,900
With over 20 years of real-estate experience in listing and selling all types of properties in Toowoomba and surrounding areas, Mr Woodford is well-known as the chair of the Toowoomba Turf Club.
He has won multiple awards with Ray White.
37. JUSTIN PENGILLY – MyHouse Realty
Total sales: $13.25m
Properties settled: 32
Average: $414,000
Born and raised in Toowoomba, Mr Pengilly started work as an engine rebuilder and also has a background in youth work and social justice.
“It is very easy to sell people on the attraction of living in Toowoomba and surrounds when you truly believe in what it is you are selling,” he said.
MyHouse Realty director Michael Brown (see below) said the strong growth in property sales over the past two years had been driven by record-low interest rates until recently.
36. PETER HARVEY – York Realty
Total sales: $14.93m
Properties settled: 27
Average: $552,900
Mr Harvey has several years of experience in real estate across the Darling Downs and spent much of his working life in Toowoomba.
He characterises good customer service as one of his priorities when selling homes.
35. ZAC TURLEY – Elders Toowoomba
Total sales: $16m
Properties settled: 33
Average: $484,800
Born, raised and educated in Toowoomba, Mr Turley represents a new generation of local real estate agents.
He said he was adaptable in his advertising techniques and was able to promote through social channels and online networking.
34. GARY KOWALTZKE – Ray White Highfields/Toowoomba Range
Total sales: $17.2m
Properties settled: 24
Average: $716,700
With nearly 40 years of experience in sales, Mr Kowaltzke and his wife entered development and property in 1995 and moved into real estate full-time about a decade ago.
He has won multiple Ray White awards for his sales success with the company.
33. JOSH HAYDOCK – York Realty
Total sales: $17.51m
Properties settled: 38
Average: $460,800
York Realty’s Josh Haydock says he bring “old-fashioned values and ethics” to real estate, combing it with using the latest in technology and communications.
32. MICHAEL HOSKING – LJ Hooker Toowoomba
Total sales: $18.61m
Properties settled: 52
Average: $357,800
Mr Hoskings is an experienced sales professional and auctioneer who has lived and worked in Toowoomba for nearly four decades.
He said his best strengths as a negotiator was being available to clients and troubleshooting problems.
31. JOE RYAN – MyHouse Realty
Total sales: $19.79m
Properties settled: 49
Average: $403,900
Mr Ryan grew up in Toowoomba and travelled the world after completing his degree.
He started managing hotel groups, both internationally and domestically, before returning to Toowoomba.
He began his career in real estate while renovating properties.
Away from property, Mr Ryan developer a fundraiser called Jump 4 Joy, where people raise funds to throw someone out of a plane.
This has become popular with Toowoomba schools, where children raise funds to get a teacher to skydive.
30. ALAN REILLY – Reilly Real Estate
Total sales: $20.08m
Properties settled: 46
Average: $436,500
Longstanding Toowoomba agent and property expert Alan Reilly said the strength of the market had been driven by the unique lifestyle the Garden City offered.
“The volume of sales was up from the previous financial year and according to Core Logic the median house price for the region has grown by almost 20 per cent in the past 12 months,” he said.
“Buyer demand was strong from a range of buyer groups both local and interstate.
“This is being driven by the lifestyle benefits of our region and the relative affordability of property across the region.”
29. GRANT NISSEN – Webster Cavanagh Marsden
Total sales: $20.1m
Properties settled: 26
Average: $773,076
One of the best-value agents on this list, Mr Nissen studied property valuation before becoming a fully licensed sales agent several years ago.
Mr Nissen said his local experience was an asset for both buyers and sellers.
28. BRETT RICHARDS – Ray White Highfields/Toowoomba Range
Total sales: $21.26m
Properties settled: 47
Average: $452,300
Mr Richards is an experienced real estate professional who has travelled across the world throughout his life, before returning to the Toowoomba region.
Away from work, he takes an active interest in several sporting groups within the community and runs a boxing gym in Highfields.
27. BEN BARROWCLIFT – LJ Hooker Toowoomba
Total sales: $24.29m
Properties settled: 62
Average: $391,800
Mr Barrowclift, who was LJ Hooker’s most prolific agent during 2021-22, said there was still strong demand in Toowoomba despite recent reports.
“The supply of property is still significantly outweighed by the number of buyers leading to a continuance in positive sale results,” he said.
“The current vacancy rate is still less than 0.5 per cent across the region which also plays a substantial role in a strong market.
“With an ongoing promise of infrastructure development, I would expect the Toowoomba property market to remain very strong for the foreseeable future.”
26. MARK COSTELLO – iThink Property
Total sales: $26.73m
Properties settled: 60
Average: $445,500
Experienced Toowoomba agent Mark Costello cleared more than $26m in sales during 2021-22, crediting this to his “highly motivated, energetic” approach to real estate.
Away from property, Mr Costello is also an avid golfer and touch football player.
25. JAMES O’DONOHUE TEAM – Re/Max Success
Total sales: $28.69m
Properties settled: 70
Average: $409,900
Mr O’Donohue’s team, dubbed “Team Elevate”, includes himself, sales specialist Shaun Blackburn and buyers’ agent Mackenzie Docherty.
With more than a decade of combined experience in the industry, the trio sold 110 properties in the 2021 calendar year and 70 during the previous financial year.
24. JUSTINE DILL AND CHRIS SHINE – Elders Toowoomba
Total sales: $30m
Properties settled: 65
Average: $461,500
The Elders team of Ms Dill and Mr Shine cracked $30m during the 2021-22 financial year, which the former said was due to strong buyer interest.
“Toowoomba’s residential market has been going very strongly in the last year and this continues despite perceptions of changes in the economy since May,” Ms Dill said.
“The number of home buyers remains significant, both local and out of town and investment activity remains strong due to our regions’ long term prospects.”
23. SUE EDWARDS – Elders Toowoomba
Total sales: $30m
Properties settled: 57
Average: $526,300
Sales consultant Sue Edwards was educated in Toowoomba and has more than 30 years’ of local experience.
She has for the past 11 years enjoyed living on the outskirts of Toowoomba where she breeds cattle and thoroughbreds as well as managing the family business.
She won property awards in 2018 and 2021.
22. LEON CARLILE – Qld Hot Property
Total sales: $30.14m
Properties settled: 62
Average: $486,100
Mr Carlile said he enjoyed the best 12 months of his 25-year real estate career during 2021-22, including achieving the all-time record sale for a unit in Toowoomba.
“It has definitely been a seller’s market and it has been a great year to work with some many lovely buyers and to achieve high prices for our sellers,” he said.
21. ROBBIE WITT – NGU Real Estate
Total sales: $31.24m
Properties settled: 62
Average: $503,900
Retired rugby league player Robbie Witt enjoyed a strong financial year performance in Toowoomba, which he said had been driven by “unprecedented growth”.
“Currently the supply is outweighed by the demand for homes, partially due to the influx of buyers to our region which has caused the market to become extremely competitive,” he said.
“Despite a shift in the ‘big city’ markets around Australia, Toowoomba should continue this trend of growth for the foreseeable future.”
20. WADE LOCKREY – Ray White Toowoomba
Total sales: $31.4m
Properties settled: 65
Average: $483,000
Not only did Wade Lockrey settled more than 60 properties during the past financial year, 21 of them were sold at auction for more than $13m – the best result out of any auctioneer in Toowoomba.
Mr Lockrey said the Garden City’s property market still had a bright future ahead.
“The past 12 months in the Toowoomba property market saw a genuine lack of supply meet intense buyer demand, competition was fierce among buyers resulting in the median sales price for the region sailing well past the $500,000 barrier,” he said.
“This has been fantastic to see and Toowoomba is still representing fantastic value with a positive future ahead.”
19. MURRAY TROY – Elders Toowoomba
Total sales: $32m
Properties settled: 41
Average: $780,500
Specialising in luxury and investment properties, Mr Troy enjoyed one of the highest average sale prices in Toowoomba during 2021-22.
The veteran real estate agent is proficient in marketing, using brochures, signage, internet presence, video production and buyer database matching.
18. DAVID SNOW – Snow Real Estate
Total sales: $33.32m
Properties settled: 35
Average: $952,000
Luxury property veteran David Snow, who has been selling homes for 36 years, said he had been impressed by the Toowoomba market’s strength over the past two years.
“The Toowoomba real estate market has demonstrated a resilience this year not seen in major capital cities with prices remaining firm, listing numbers tight, fewer buyers competing for property and a slight increase in ‘days on market’,” he said.
“We are noticing a return to seasonal factors which were evident prior to the pandemic and expecting a busy October/November and first quarter of 2023.”
17. MICHAEL TOMLINSON – Webster Cavanagh Rural
Total sales: $33.3m
Properties settled: 30
Average: $1.1m
Mr Tomlinson was educated in Toowoomba but has spent most of his life in rural Queensland, living on his 25,000-hectare family property until recently.
He has a range of skills and knowledge along with years of experience in the cattle industry and other agricultural sectors.
16. BRENTON FALKNAU – York Realty
Total sales: $33.65m
Properties settled: 84
Average: $400,600
York Realty sales agent Brenton Falknau settled more than 80 properties over the past financial year, noting the growth of the market had been unexpected.
“The market over the past few years has certainly surprised, with the influx of buyers from southern states and investors it’s a different landscape to what we were used to — exciting times,” he said.
15. SCOTT COUPER AND JOHN RIZQALLAH – York Realty
Total sales: $34.69m
Properties settled: 83
Average: $417,900
Dynamic duo Scott Couper and John Rizqallah, who secured nearly $35m in sales, called Toowoomba an ideal city for people to migrate to despite a recent slowdown in buyer interest.
“We’ve had an amazing couple of years since Covid-19 started, and Toowoomba was finally seen as an ideal city to move to,” Mr Couper said.
“Unfortunately interest rates have slowed down the buyer inquiry as affordability with the increasing interest rates is really making buyers hold off.
“This however is what our markets do and will continue to do in the future.”
His sales partner Mr Rizqallah said median house prices were still solid currently.
“The Toowoomba real estate market is still going strong as our medium house prices are still very attractive to all investors which include first home buyers, owner occupiers and even interstate investors,” he said.
“There is so much happening at a local, state and federal level and once the Inland Rail is completed then Toowoomba will be a game changer.”
14. MATT HAWKINS – NGU Real Estate
Total sales: $34.9m
Properties settled: 66
Average: $528,800
Boasting several property sales above $1m in the past 12 months, Mr Hawkins said Toowoomba’s market was due to a straightforward supply-demand inequality.
“Toowoomba is experiencing a mass migration to our Garden City from New South Wales, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast,” he said.
“There simply are too many homeowners, and not enough homes.
“Prices will continue to grow and go against the national decline in the property market.”
13. BEN LIESCH – Ray White Toowoomba
Total sales: $35.45m
Properties settled: 85
Average: $417,100
Born and raised in Toowoomba, Mr Liesch graduated from St Mary’s College and was trained in sales, staff training and customers service before moving into real estate.
He was named a “premier performer” by Ray White this year and an “elite performer” in 2021-22, while also cracking the top 10 in sales for the agency in 2020.
12. ANDREW WEBSTER – Webster Cavanagh Marsden
Total sales: $37m
Properties settled: 53
Average: $698,100
A founding partner in Webster Cavanagh in 2014, Andrew Webster grew up on a gain and cotton farm in the Darling Downs and worked in commodity trading and exporting before heading into real estate.
His most impressive sale from 2021-22 was setting the record for a Toowoomba home after a massive mansion in Preston went for $4.265m.
11. SAM MARSDEN – Webster Cavanagh Marsden
Total sales: $38.1m
Properties settled: 64
Average: $595,300
Sam Marsden started in real estate in 1994 and since then has sold more than 1000 properties during his career.
His personal highlight from the past financial year was the sale of a Daniells Close home in Middle Ridge for $1.3m.
10. BEN HOPPER – Elders Toowoomba
Total sales: $40m
Properties settled: 77
Average: $519,500
Elders’ top performing agent during 2021-22, Mr Hopper said the ongoing issues with rental vacancies had helped fuel a strong property market.
“Even though interest rates are rising Toowoomba is probably one of the safest markets to invest in, considering what the future may hold in relation to further interest rate rises,” he said.
“Such a dramatic change to the economy was expected in relation to inflation from the printing of money, and Covid seeing so many people from interstate migrate to southeast Queensland.
“It hasn’t slowed down for parts of Queensland as the rental crises gets worse with investors buying in.”
9. TONY FRANKE – Ray White Highfields/Toowoomba Range
Total sales: $40.85m
Properties settled: 93
Average: $439,200
The principal of Ray White Highfields/Toowoomba Range has cracked the top 10 with an impressive $40m in sales during 2021-22.
Having run the two agencies since 2009, Mr Franke was named an “elite performer” within Ray White in 2021.
Away from work, he supports and sponsors local community and sporting groups around Highfields.
8. HELEN AUSTIN – Helen Austin Property
Total sales: $42.99m (September 2021 to September 2022)
Properties settled: 38
Average: $1.13m
An experienced agent for the high-end property market who branched out on her own about 12 months ago, Helen Austin enjoyed the highest-average property sale price in the power list.
A number of her sales from 2022 were above $2m, including a beautiful Curzon Street property in Mount Lofty for $2.35m and another over $3m in Redwood.
7. MICHAEL BROWN – MyHouse Realty
Total sales: $46.34m
Properties settled: 117
Average: $396,000
Easily one of the most prolific agents on the power list, and the first so far to reach more than 100 sales during the past financial year, Mr Brown is the director of MyHouse Realty.
He said the recent interest rate rises were an inevitable consequence of the red-hot property market, including in Toowoomba.
“Record low interest rates, more lenient lending practices and government incentives for first home buyers to enter the market, resulted in the Toowoomba property market experiencing strong demand from both local and interstate investors and owner occupier buyers during the 2021-2022 financial year period,” he said.
“This increased demand resulted in properties selling within days to weeks of launching to the market, often under multiple offers, and for above/well above recently sold comparable properties and owner’s expectations.
“The increased buyer demand, saw the value of properties grow in value month on month throughout most of this financial year period, up until towards the end of the 21-22 financial year, with the announcement of the first interest rate increase and news of more to come slowing down this growth.”
6. BRAD LIPP – Colliers Toowoomba
Total sales: $47m
Properties settled: 233
Average: $201,700
Dubbed “the land man”, Mr Lipp was responsible for a huge chunk of the vacant lots being sold during the past financial year.
He said despite changes to the economy, he saw no slowdown in the demand for land.
“Land in Toowoomba will always be our region’s most sought after commodity,” Mr Lipp said.
“There is no sign off this demand slowing and we are pleased to offer great new releases in the near future.”
5. BEN WALKER – iThink Property
Total sales: Circa $57m
Properties settled: Circa 97
Average: $587,500
Former NRL star and director of iThink Property Ben Walker enjoyed more than $81m in sales across Toowoomba and Ipswich in 2021-22, 70 per cent of which in Garden City.
Mr Walker said he expected Toowoomba to perform strongly across the coming 12 months.
“The Toowoomba property market has seen continued growth across the past financial year,” he said.
“While our capital cities see a downturn, we have continued to surge ahead and still draw interest from both local and interstate buyers looking to get into one of the best property markets in the country.”
4. MELITA BELL TEAM – Re/Max Success
Total sales: $83.83m
Properties settled: 166
Average: $505,000
Ms Bell and her team members Jaime Allen and Pam Goodbody maintained their status in 2021-22 as one of the successful real estate teams in Toowoomba after settling more than 160 properties for nearly $84m in value.
She has more than 10 years experience, with a background in sales, property management, payroll administration and accounting.
Re/Max Success Toowoomba general manager Daniel Burrett said the agency was impressed by the Toowoomba property market.
3. DOMINIC RYAN TEAM – Colliers Toowoomba
Total sales: $84m
Properties settled: 123
Average: $682,900
Dominic Ryan and his team members Louise Bizzell and Liam Hopkins made the podium in 2021-22 after moving $84m in residential property.
The experienced real estate agent said the key to Toowoomba’s growing market was what it could offer potential residents.
“Toowoomba’s lifestyle and affordability has continually driven our market and this has been no different over the past year,” Mr Ryan said.
“The capital growth had periods of escalation, it is growth that is able to be maintained and further built on.”
2. JACQUI WALKER TEAM – Re/Max Success
Total sales: $85.67m
Properties settled: 177
Average: $484,000
Jacqui Walker and her team cemented their position as one of the Garden City’s premier sales forces thanks to a stellar 2021-22.
Ms Walker, who works with David Walker, Chan De Silva and Harsha Kumarasinghe in her team, placed first across all Re/Max Success offices in Australia for sales in July 2022.
She also was ranked second in the world for Re/Max small teams.
Re/Max Success Toowoomba owner Daniel Burrett said the strong property market was a clear showing of the Garden City’s liveability.
“All aspects of the market, from units, houses & lifestyle have seen an increase in demand and median price, across all locations,” he said.
“With all industry sectors prominent, Toowoomba was in the spotlight nationally as a beautiful and affordable city to call home.”
1. COOPER WATSON TEAM – RealWay Property Partners
Total sales: $90.89m
Properties settled: 194
Average: $468,500
RealWay’s Cooper Watson and his team take out the top spot in our power list after clearing an astonishing $90m in sales during 2021-22.
Along with team members Bria Hurst and Elliot Scholefield, Mr Watson also sold the second-highest number of properties, just behind Colliers’ Brad Lipp.
A specialist in North Toowoomba, East Toowoomba, Toowoomba City, Mount Lofty and Prince Henry Heights, Mr Watson said he predicted a strong immediate future for the city’s property market.
“It is amazing that despite the rising interest rates that our market continues to thrive,” he said.
“With regional QLD still showing positive growth for 2023 we are so happy for out clients to still be able to sell for a great price.
“I personally think everyone has finally worked out Toowoomba is great place to live, working from home is the new normal and people are really taking advantage of the lifestyle and lower cost of living Toowoomba offers.”
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