Leading residential real estate group, McGrath Estate Agents, today announced Marguerite Foxall has joined the group as State Manager for Victoria.

In announcing the appointment, Christopher Mourd, Head of Franchise for McGrath said: “We are very committed to growing our presence in key metropolitan and regional areas of Victoria with a strong and dedicated local team of high-quality professionals who live and breathe property in their state.

“Marguerite embodies the type of leadership, knowledge, commitment and passion that is essential in a leadership role and has a clear understanding around all facets of daily operations, efficiencies and support of agents and their teams. Importantly, Marguerite is highly respected among her peers, and with her strategic and creative approach provides a skill set that will be invaluable to our franchisees and new recruits and importantly our clients, as we expand across a larger footprint.”

Mr Mourd explained that the key appointment to the role of Victorian state manager had been endorsed by a selection panel consisting of three local McGrath franchisees across Melbourne and regional areas to ensure a cultural alignment.

Panel appointee Michael Townsend, Co-Principal of McGrath St Kilda and the founding franchisee of McGrath in Melbourne explains: “This is an incredibly progressive and respectful initiative to include us in the interviewing process. To us it signified a very real desire by McGrath to understand the local landscape and what we need on the ground. And we are very supportive of the appointment. Marguerite has real estate experience at the coal-face and brings with her a helicopter view, as well as an understanding and knowledge at an agent level that will be a real value-add for McGrath”.

Ms Foxall brings over 24 years industry experience, having worked with leading real estate brands across Melbourne’s diverse property market, most recently as Network General Manager for Greg Hocking Real Estate with a remit of business and network planning, technology, marketing, training and recruitment.

Marguerite said her decision to join McGrath was based on a synergy and sharing of values such as integrity and always striving to provide a superior service level. “The McGrath values eco my belief and align with my own approach in real estate. I’ve always admired John McGrath and the McGrath brand from earlier in my career for its excellence within the industry.

“I’m equally passionate to see those succeed on their career path. It’s important to support our offices and talented people with continuous targeted training and a customised approach to each office and individual. “A focus will be to help simplify and streamline our structures with an overall approach to all facets of the business including sales, property management and administration.”

Marguerite’s depth of understanding of the Melbourne property market provides further insights around the pandemic.

“The Melbourne market will continue to grow as interest rates are predicted to remain low well into 2023. Buyers are able to borrow more than previously, and added to low stock levels, prices continue to rise. Due to COVID lockdown in Victoria, homeowners are spending more time in their homes, highlighting the need to upgrade their living spaces. Lifestyle choices continue to be front and centre with increased demand to lifestyle regional areas and coastal regions such as the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsula.