A people-first agency takes root on the Surf Coast

MOONAH Real Estate may be a relatively new name along the Surf Coast, but in just over a year the boutique agency has carved out a distinct presence in Anglesea. The small but agile team is now setting its sights on expansion.

Led by a people-first approach, the business was founded by Darcy Bennett in December 2024. He was motivated by the desire to deliver a more personal and transparent experience for his clients.

He said the decision to establish his own agency came from a strong belief that real estate should be grounded in empathy and genuine connection.

“I really wanted to make sure that people came first, and that people were understanding that we’re actually hearing their needs and dealing with them with empathy,” he said.

“They’re not just another transaction to us.”

Bennett brings more than 12 years of experience in and around the property industry to the business. A father, Bennett and his wife have recently welcomed their third baby and remain heavily involved in the local community.

He is joined by experienced real estate agent Simon Bogdanov, who Bennett said adds depth and precision to the growing business.

“Simon comes from an engineering background,” Bennett said. “He’s very detail-oriented and he works really hard to service his clients.

“We’re really excited to have him in the business and to be growing and pushing into that Torquay space.”

Bennett said Moonah’s hands-on structure and youthful energy set it apart from more traditional agency models, with clients dealing directly with the same people from start to finish.

“When people deal with us, they deal with us from start to finish,” he said.

“We get everything ready to put the property online – we work the copy and the photos and are very hands-on through the whole process to make sure that people are really getting a personalised, tailored approach.

“They know they’re getting us, and they’re getting our full attention.”

After posting strong results in Anglesea during its first year of operation, the business is now looking to “spread its wings” and expand further into Aireys Inlet and Torquay.

“We’re looking to break into those areas where people want a high level of service, a high level of marketing and really strong results,” Bennett said. “That’s what we’re really priding ourselves on.”

The agency takes its name from the locally significant Moonah tree – a hardy, wind-shaped coastal native found throughout the Surf Coast.

Bennett said the symbolism felt fitting for the business.

“[Moonah trees] provide a really crucial barrier between the harsh winds of the coast and the dunes,” Bennett said.

“They provide significant vegetation and food for a lot of different local plants and animals, particularly in summertime when not many other trees and plants are flowering.

“We think that’s a bit like us in the sense that we’re quite resilient. We’re not going anywhere and we’re on the frontline working to help people get really strong results.”

Looking ahead, Bennett said the focus for the business for the next 12 months will be on strengthening Moonah’s presence in Aireys Inlet and Torquay, while continuing to build on its established foundations in Anglesea.

He is keen to position the agency as an alternative for clients seeking a more personal, high-service experience.

“We don’t want to be that typical polished type ‘shiny white teeth’ real estate agent,” he said. “We want people to know that we are real people and that we’re members of the community.

“We’re wanting to help people grow and thrive.”

For more information, head to moonahrealestate.com.au

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