Get to know Drew Davies of McGrath New Farm

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Apr 3, 2018

Get to know Drew Davies of McGrath New Farm

Drew Davies swapped architecture for real estate after a chance encounter with a real estate agent on a long-haul flight between Brisbane and LA.

Image supplied by McGrath New Farm.

Drew Davies of McGrath New Farm.
Image supplied by McGrath New Farm.

Davies recently sold 149 Crosby Road, Hamilton, in only 19 days after the property had been unsuccessfully listed with four different agents over 507 days.
Image supplied by McGrath New Farm.

A photo of 23 Queens Road, Hamilton, which Davies sold in 28 days.

After swapping stories with a real estate agent on a long-haul flight between Los Angeles and Brisbane, Drew Davies came home and resigned from his job with an architectural practise immediately.

He is now an agent with McGrath New Farm, and is particularly active in the Brisbane CBD and Hamilton markets.

He told WILLIAMS MEDIA he expects strong population growth will continue to support the Brisbane market over the next 18 months.

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

My decision to pursue real estate was made on a flight to LA where I was sat next to a real estate agent. We ended up sharing stories and his were obviously a lot better than mine because by the time I stepped off the plane I made a phone call, quit my job and started my real estate career. Prior to that I worked in architecture, having both designed homes and worked within teams on large construction projects.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The ability to completely determine your own level of success.

Can you tell us about an interesting property you've sold recently, or are selling?

It has to be The Residences at Yungaba House (pictured below), undoubtedly one of the most unique offerings currently on the market. Set in one of Brisbane’s most iconic heritage buildings and steeped in history, these Residences have been masterfully restored blending the original grandeur with contemporary luxury design. A must-view for riverside buyers in the $3m+ range. I’m a huge fan.

The Residences at Yungaba House is located in an historic Brisbane building that has been beautifully restored. Image supplied by McGrath New Farm.

What’s your advice to a young person starting out in real estate?

Real estate is far more challenging than Instagram would have you believe so think of it like a three-year paid apprenticeship. This can be the highest paid hard work or the lowest paid easy work. Work hard.

If you could change one thing about the real estate profession, what would it be?

I strongly believe our profession would benefit from raising the barrier-to-entry for those looking to earn a real estate sales license.

What’s your outlook for the Brisbane market for the next 18 months?

I believe the signs are positive right across Brisbane’s inner suburbs. There have been some spectacular prices already achieved in 2018 and an increasing stream of Sydney-siders looking to purchase in Brisbane is helping drive demand; I saw figures earlier this week quoting 15,800 people have migrated to Brisbane in the past 12 months with the majority of these from NSW.

Where do you live now, and what would be your dream home if you could live anywhere in the world?

My wife and I recently purchased a three-bedroom Queenslander in Nundah but I have so many dream homes I’d like to buy… and they’re all in Brisbane!

I do love California and I’ve always loved modernist architecture so anything by Richard Neutra or Frank Lloyd Wright in LA would make the perfect holiday home.