Stone Real Estate enters one of Sydney’s largest regions this week with respected local business leader Wade Gilmore heading up Stone Engadine in the city’s south.

Mr Gilmore’s business partner Coleen Bowen launched what has become the number one agency in the Engadine area almost 12 years ago. Since joining in 2017, Mr Gilmore has re-built the business from the inside out with a dedicated team that dominates the local area in both sales and property management. 

This year the team has transacted Engadine’s highest ever priced apartment ($1.35 million by agent Lora Moore in February) while emerging agent Rhys Christofa has sold more properties since the start of the pandemic than any other agent operating in the area.

Joining the Stone network allows the business to serve existing clients with better resources as well as expand to a level that would otherwise be out of reach, Mr Gilmore said.

“The Stone network creates a far greater opportunity,” he said. “Engadine and the 2233 area will always be an important part of our DNA, however there’s no doubt at all we will build a business that will expand its reach throughout the Sutherland Shire”. 

Mr Gilmore emphasised that just as important was becoming part of the Stone network culture. “The Stone brand is like a breath of fresh air,” Mr Gilmore said. “They’re genuine – they’re not pretending to be anything they’re not. We’ve created a very special environment and team here of genuine people who are very protective of our company and each other. This aligns acutely with Stone’s emphasis on quality standards and attracting quality people to the brand.

“What I like is we can build our business with a very strong, polished brand yet not change who we fundamentally are.

“Our team really likes the fact that with Stone there’s a real sense of aspiration and desire to get better and do things to a very high standard  – without the pretentiousness and arrogance that befalls many other brands and agencies”.

After more than a decade as an independent and now the region’s most successful agency, Mr Gilmore said it was time for a new direction and fresh approach.

“I could see that rebranding as Stone Engadine gave us an opportunity to be a stronger voice amongst the other cliched, cookie cutter agencies,” he said.

“I believe Stone provides us with the best means to show that we can be more to more people.”

As the business expands recruitment will be high on the agenda. “We’re not looking for rock stars,” Mr Gilmore said.

“We’re looking for decent, down to earth people who are great at what they do. On our team, being a great agent is not as important as being a great human. 

“Yes, eventually we want a team large enough to service the entire Sutherland Shire, but each and every person must be of the right fit”.

Stone Real Estate Head of Franchise Luke Cameron said: “We are delighted and inspired to be working with the calibre of Engadine’s leading business. It shows the pandemic hasn’t slowed our boutique agency’s ability to expand with leading talent. 

“Our first office in the shire, under the leadership Wade and Colleen is definitely a huge win for the Stone network.”