Josh Willatt joins McGrath Gold Coast Palm Beach partnership
McGrath Northern Rivers Group Gold Coast Group have announced that local real estate agent Josh Willatt will join its Palm Beach operation.
He will become joint franchise partner at McGrath Palm Beach along with existing McGrath agents Andy Hogarth and Billy Jaz.
This will be in conjunction with Ian Mills.
David Mills, at McGrath’s Northern Rivers operation expressed excitement for the incoming partners of the business.
"I've worked with Andy, Ian and Billy since McGrath was first opened on the Gold Coast and I'm thrilled for them to continue their career growth as principals.
"They are already senior agents with superior local knowledge and natural leaders within our business, and I look forward to continuing to work with them as they grow their footprint on the Southern Gold Coast,” Mr Mills said.
Andy Hogarth, a McGrath agent of 10 years will assume the role of principal for the McGrath Palm Beach.
He is confident about the local market saying “buyer confidence is back. From the first Saturday following the federal election the conversations with buyers has completely changed. We are now back to receiving multiple offers on properties and buyer engagement has lifted substantially.”
Andy has transacted some good sales over last 18 months, including that of 10 Flores Avenue, Palm Beach selling for $1,105,000 at auction with eight registered bidders. He also negotiated the sale of 59 Tahiti Avenue, Palm Beach for $1,021,000 prior to its auction, as well as several off-market sales that tipped the $1 million barrier.
“The finality of both the election and royal commission are two factors that have positively influenced the marketplace. In addition, the trend of interstate buyers is growing quickly and is supported by all-time low interest rates,” said Billy Jaz, a McGrath agent for over seven years.
Billy sold 266 Nineteenth Avenue, Elanora to a retired Sydney buyer for $1,120,000 which is the top end of the Elanora market in August of this year.
Andy and Billy will be joined by Josh Willatt, who was the top performing agent at Ray White Robina for the past five years. His sales include achieving a street record sale price at 2 Rudd Street, Burleigh Heads for $1,650,000; and most recently 20 Pinnancle Court, Robina for $1,095,000.
“Buyer confidence is at an all-time high across majority of price sectors on the Gold Coast. Downsizers are having the biggest impact on the current market as they gain more confidence that they can again achieve higher prices more aligned to that of 2017-2018," said Mr Willatt.
Mr Willatt also reported that first home buyers are coming back to the marketplace, with the historically low interest rates.
"The increased interest from buyers has seen my average days on market decrease from 51 days pre-election to less than 19 days over the past quarter."