Brendan Mayles and his wife, Kate Mayles, have more than 20 years' experience in real estate between them. They formed the Mayles team with McGrath Paddington at the start of the year. Brendan will trek 250km across the Simpson Desert in May next year, and hopes to raise $35,000 which will go towards helping young Australians who are forced to live in aged care facilities.

How did you start in the real estate business? Have you always worked in this industry or did you do something else previously?

I was part of the founding team with McGrath Estate Agents expansion into Brisbane in May 2012. I’ve been in the industry nearly 10 years after negotiating my first sale at 18 years old when I joined the industry. I took a sabbatical from real estate in 2010 and moved away from Brisbane to volunteer for a not-for-profit youth organisation, spending time not only in south east Queensland but travelling to communities including Dalby, Chinchilla, Longreach and as remote as Coen.
 
What do you love most about your job?

I really thrive on the competitive nature of real estate. No-one will know exactly what it takes to be a real estate agent unless you have personally worked as one. On any given day an agent wears multiple hats and we can be sweeping a floor, making a bed, to providing keys to a new home for a family.
 
Tell us about your Simpson Desert Trek for Youngcare?

In May 2017, I will be taking on an epic 250km adventure to trek across the Simpson Desert. Isolation, extreme heat, 1,000 sand dunes, carrying a 12kg pack, sleeping in the wilderness and eating ration packs for eight days straight are a few of the experiences I have to overcome. But this is nothing compared to what 7,000 young Australian’s are currently going through living in aged care because there are few other options for them to receive dignified, relevant and age-appropriate care and housing, this is an issue that has gone unaddressed for far too long.

As a trekker, an individual fund raising target applies and my goal is to raise $35,000 which will make a significant impact in the lives of young Australians in desperate need in our community.  In October I have a fundraiser business breakfast planned and am excited to have the personal support of John McGrath and sporting icon Darren Lockyer, who will be speaking at the event.
 
You work alongside your wife, how do people perceive you when they know you’re a husband and wife team?

Forming the Mayles team in January this year with my wife Kate was the natural extension after both working in the industry for over 20 years combined. The experience and knowledge Kate brings to the table for our clients is terrific. Her parents owned a real estate office since she was young, the place where we both started working in the industry. Kate was also part of the McGrath family  prior to us joining together as a team with her most recent role in the networks services team where she helped train and support new McGrath offices. In 2015, she assisted the opening of 15 new offices between Melbourne and Cairns.
 
What would you like to see done differently in the real estate industry?

In my opinion Queensland needs to change laws giving owners back the choice if they do or don’t want to advertise a price guide when going to auction. The law changes made by the Newman Government in 2014, I believe, was a step backwards.
 
What’s your greatest career achievement?

Some of my closest friends are people I have helped buy and sell. During the Christmas break last year Kate and I were invited by a client out to their stunning farm, it was like visiting family on the holidays. These relationships are what I cherish most.
 
What’s your outlook for the property market for the remainder of the year?

The Paddington (QLD) property market has shown ongoing strength this past year, with the median house price rising above $900,000 for the first time. Premium areas in Brisbane such as Ascot, Hamilton, New Farm and Bulimba all have a median house price at a lowest 19% higher than Paddington – ranging from $1,150,000 - $1,500,000. We are very optimistic about the potential for steady ongoing price growth.
 
Where do you live now?

Paddington has been home for Kate and I since we moved back to Brisbane in 2012. For a community so close to the city it is very relaxed and having Suncorp Stadium in our backyard is something special.  

See also:

Get to know Dominic Gibson of Melbourne Acquisitions

Get to know Sam Kandil

McGrath in expansion mode

Median house price up in Brisbane, in a quarter of surprises

How investors see the Brisbane property market