Victoria’s top real estate young guns FY24 revealed: best selling agents aged under 30

Victoria’s 30 biggest property deal-makers under 30 have been unveiled, many earning big money and reshaping the industry while still in their 20s. SEE THE LIST.

Forget the Mercedes and gold teeth, Victoria’s top real estate agents under 30 are shaking things up with selfies, workouts and a 24-7 attitude that’s putting them on the path to riches.

Real estate transaction figures provided exclusively to The Herald Sun reveal more than 20 agents across the state under the age of 30 pulled in more than $30m in sales in the past financial year, with one selling more than $155m.

Peter Serafino is barely off his P-plates at 21-years old, but sold $25.179m worth of property in 12 months and is planning to celebrate by purchasing his own first home at the same time many his age are still at university.

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He was ranked the 26th highest performing agent from the state’s largest and most high-profile real estate agencies.

The youngest to make the top 30, Buxton Mt Waverley’s Mr Serafino is only in his third year of his career and credits his early success to self-belief, confidence and a regimented routine that sees him sells a $1.4m home once every three weeks on average.

Hustling since the age of 15, he started out with his own marketing business creating photos and social media strategies for local businesses.

By 18 he was working full time and spent some time in the construction industry where he learned to sell, negotiate and understand the property market better.

“I’m surprised and humbled to make the list – it’s been all about rhythm, routine and being disciplined,” Mr Serafino said.

Peter Serafino from Buxton Mt Waverley has netted $25.179m in sales over the past year at just 21-years-old. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

At just 28 Buxton Keysborough’s Ozan Kanbur has netted more than $155m in sales, putting him at the top of the under 30s pack — which has given him an immense sense of pride both in his own efforts and in those of his team.

Buxton Ashburton’s Tai Menahem finished eighth on the list.

Mr Kanbur started out selling furniture at 19-years-old before trading up to houses, which he said wasn’t all glitz and glamour, requiring hard work to earn a high income — but didn’t feel that way when you enjoyed using the people skills required for the field.

“This isn’t all about nice suits and driving nice cars – if you don’t apply yourself you’ll find yourself in and out of the industry within six months,” Mr Kanbur said.

Caleb Venneri, 24 (Barry Plant Essendon – Keilor East) 128 sales; total value $78,634,099.

“I don’t think it’s possible to have success and a perfect work-life balance. (As an agent) you need to be accessible 24-7 – you need to be prepared to work seven days a week with limited balance until you establish yourself.”

For now, trying new cafes and restaurants and exploring culinary delights with his partner Victoria gave him a much-needed break away from the regimented and structured way he sells homes.

“I approach every sales campaign in the same way, when the vendors will receive reports and when the reserve will be set – my clients love this about my approach,” he said.

Kay and Burton Stonnington’s Danielle Horne was the top ranking woman for the under 30s, placing in seventh overall.

At 27-years old, Kay and Burton Stonnington’s Danielle Horne tops the list of women under 30, she has sold $98.8m worth of homes in the past year despite the many obstacles in the way of young women in the male-dominated industry.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be recognised as one of Victoria’s top female young agents,” Ms Horne said.

Liza Hickey, 29 (Barry Plant Pakenham) 85 sales; total value $60,929,999.

“Real estate can involve long hours and isn’t the traditional nine to five, Monday-to-Friday job.”

Ms Horne said she learnt from her parents, nonna and nonno that if you work hard and follow your heart you will succeed.

“Your career shouldn’t feel like a ‘job’ and … remaining grounded to those core values my family instilled is the goal I keep at the forefront of my mind,” she said.

Peter Krnjeta, 29 (Ray White Werribee); 78 sales; total value $47,580,000.

Real Estate Institute of Victoria president Jacob Caine said young real estate professionals were more in tune with self-care, psychological safety and work-life balance than many older industry members had been at the same age.

“Many of these young emerging agents have found a way to balance the rigours and demands to be a successful salesperson, while enjoying the fruit of their labour,” Mr Caine said.

“Successful careers in market downturns show that if you can succeed when the conditions are challenging and more favourable, you have the platform to achieve incredible results.”

Mr Caine said all of the data points to Melbourne, and more broadly Victoria, facing more challenging conditions from a price perspective than neighbouring cities.

However, he said all of the fundamentals in Victorian real estate remain the same.

“It’s only a matter of time before a significant price rebound and a surge of activity and excitement in Victorian real estate returns,” he said.

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Originally published as Victoria’s top real estate young guns FY24 revealed: best selling agents aged under 30