The real estate rumour mill went into overdrive late last year when it was printed in a national newspaper, quote: “High-profile Double Bay agents Craig Pontey and Michael Finger, who founded the Ray White branch there more than three decades ago, have switched allegiance to ASX-listed McGrath, as the battle to win prestige listings in Sydney's east heats up… As pioneers of the eastern suburbs prestige market, Pontey and Finger started Ray White Double Bay with the blessing of the White family dynasty in 1988.”

And it was true. Michael and I, dear friends and allies, co-founders and lifelong real estate agents set out to do what we had done 35 years earlier: heading up our own business, crafting a clear culture, identifying individuals who shared our values and setting a standard of excellence that aligns with our own ethos, in Sydney’s east. 

Our move to McGrath, instigated by its CEO and founder John, required an element of blind faith on both parts, predicated on reputation and perceived potential in a new partnership. 

Now, 100 days in, I can tell you that it has been a real eye-opener. Mike and I sat down last week and collated 10 of the most pivotal moments from our first 100 days as McGrath Double Bay. 

1. Superb support. You know that experience when you eat at a really top tier restaurant and from arrival to departure it is seamless, professional and memorable? That’s a little like our onboarding experience at McGrath. We were quite indoctrinated into the processes and systems we had used for over three decades in our previous business, but the move was smooth thanks to individual experts who held our hands, so to speak, through every step.  We had a specialist in every single facet of agency to induct us, migrate us, and set us up for success. Property management - check. Public relations - check. Sales systems - check. Administration - check. Branding and marketing - check. It was the agency equivalent of flying first class. We were astounded. Speaking of support, we are honoured that two of the finest operations personnel in the east joined us in our move, Violet Farebrother and Julie-Anne White. They’ve ensured we hit the ground running and brought their trademark professionalism, positivity and pragmatism to the business. 
2. Brand ambassadors. Leadership shifts are not for everyone; they are typically disruptive and destabilising. Suffice to say, Mike and I were humbled that McGrath stalwarts Simon Exleton, who has been with the brand since 2002, and one of McGrath’s longest serving members (circa 1999) Chris Chung have embraced the change, taught us the language of McGrath, showed us the real family values of the brand. Both loyal and passionate, the brand is in their blood. They are examples of the agents we want to attract more of: yes, they can skilfully sell real estate, but more importantly they have clear, clean ethics and family values that are the backbone of the business we are building together. 
3. Shared vision. Reflecting on the first few months  with a new brand, and spending many hours with its leader, it’s clear that John McGrath does at a corporate level what we do at a local level. He sets culture and vision, inspires momentum, and supports innovation. His eyes light up as we talk about our vision and cultural expectations. He’s actively involved in meeting our people and strategizing our next steps. He’s navigating a path forward for McGrath that is precise, purposeful and has people at its core. We’re moving in parallel with his national vision. 
4. Talent returns. Estate agent and class act James Ledgerwood, and his diligent associate Ben Fraser, re-joined the McGrath Double Bay office in January. James has strong ties with McGrath having worked with the company on the Gold Coast from 2011-2017 before returning home to Sydney. With a 20-year career to his name, James is strongly established in Sydney’s eastern suburb and well regarded for his record price achievements. We’re looking forward to James unleashing his potential in the coming months. 
5. Afterpay abode. Simon Exleton selling the Tamarama home of Luke Bortoli, former chief financial officer at Afterpay and now on the board of Beforepay, was a highlight. The five-bedroom, four-bathroom three-level house with double garage at 37 Fletcher St fetched $6.25m. Simon sold the vendors that Tamarama home for $2,885,000 in 2015; a testament to the memorability of their experience with him. 
6. Packer penthouse. A Bondi apartment record was set when James Ledgerwood achieved $8.4 million for the Kew Penthouse at 14/334 Bondi Road. Benjamin Packer Barham (24), the son of philanthropic heiress Gretel Packer and Monaco-based financier Nick Barham, was the purchaser. The 370 sqm two-level penthouse was bought from adventure tourism marketer Andrew Denman and his partner Jenna Singer, who had paid $6.43m in 2019.The three-bedroom, three-bathroom, three-garage apartment has Harbour glimpses across Rose Bay to Dover Heights, Ben Buckler and Bondi Beach. 
7. Six for sale. Listing six properties for auction in the first three weeks of operating within McGrath Double Bay is one way to hit the ground running. And it’s what James Ledgerwood did with his associate Ben Fraser. They listed a six bedroom home in Bondi and a two bedroom apartment in a desirable residential development, The Moreton. The beachside family home at 32 Watson Street will go to auction on March 18. Over at The Moreton, a north-facing apartment on the top floor is guided at $2.6 million. Joining the line-up is 92 Ocean Street, South Bondi, a four bedroom home on one of Bondi’s most coveted streets. It will hit the market at the end of February. 
8. Two week triumph. Setting a building record in under two weeks was another highlight. The beach front apartment at 2/2 Pacific Street, Bronte, was sold through Simon Exleton for $4.5m pre-auction. The north-facing Bronte apartment with Bronte beach and coastline views across Tamarama to Bondi from every room was purchased by a family who intend to rent it out for five years, before moving in and making it home. 
9. Pacific success. Another special moment for the team was selling a beachfront apartment in Bondi Beach for just over $2m in the iconic Pacific building. The two bedroom apartment has views over Bondi Beach and went to market when the owners relocated back overseas. The property was hotly contested by five investors, before being purchased by a local investor a week prior to auction. It was sold by James Ledgerwood in conjunction with associate Ben Fraser. 
10. Luxury listings. Between the team, we’re consistently listing high quality property both for sale and for rent in a market that is shifting. Real estate like 1/18 Ian Street, Rose Bay, a three bedroom, three bathroom apartment set in a sweeping panorama incorporating the city skyline and harbour views from every room will be sold by us in the coming weeks. Close to Rose Bay Beach, Westfield Bondi Junction and the CBD, the property is listed by Michael Finger, alongside Di Wilson. It will go to auction on March 2. With high quality new listings coming on every day, there's great energy in the office.

So, what of the next 100 days?

While the team is meeting with vendors and investors devising sales and leasing strategies that best accommodate the market conditions, Mike and I are responsible for harnessing the team’s momentum and attracting like-minded talent. 

We are meeting with individuals whose core values and calibre of sales skills are suitable for our team culture. We have a strict policy around the type of person we want to work with and it has more to do with their personal attributes than their professional notches. The latter can be taught, the former is far more important. 

We are developing a team of people that care, listen and understand that the picture is bigger than real estate, it’s about supporting others throughout life’s journey. We’re not about quick wins, we’re about quality interactions. 

It’s deja vu in a way because what we’re doing today is no different to our goal when we set about starting Ray White - an unknown brand in the Sydney market - in the uber competitive Double Bay in the 1980s. 

Then and now, it is about quality interactions every single day; being on-hand and available to our people (sellers and staff) when they need us, for however long we are required to get a solution or plan in place. It’s about providing an unwaveringly high level of support, being someone who our sellers and staff can talk through scenarios with; being a reliable sounding board, guiding and directing and welcoming ideas. Ultimately, it’s about taking time to uncover the decisions or course of action that is the most acceptable for the market. 

The next 100 days are about quality interactions with quality people.