McGrath expands with new office in Ballarat

LEADING residential real estate group, McGrath Estate Agents, a division of McGrath Limited, has announced the opening of an office in Ballarat.

It’s a move that reflects the company’s desire to expand further into key areas in regional Victoria and follows McGrath opening its first regional office in Geelong in 2017.

Founder and Executive Director John McGrath said that Ballarat is an important growth area of Victoria.

“We earmarked Ballarat over two years ago in our McGrath Report as an important key regional market that has transformed itself from an industrial hub to an attractive lifestyle centre that offers more affordable housing, employment opportunities, a strong sense of community and a relaxed way of life,” he said.

“Ballarat is a prime example of a regional city that is no longer the sleepy second tier town but conversely, one that has come of age as thriving economic centre and community.”

Christopher Mourd, Head of Franchise Network for McGrath Estate Agents agrees.

“Ballarat has been on our radar for some time. As the third largest city in Victoria, it is one of Australia’s fastest growing and most liveable regional cities with diversified manufacturing, tourist, education and professional services in abundance,” he said.

McGrath Ballarat will service the area of from Ballarat North to Durham Lead in the south; and Cardigan in the west to Warrenheip in the East. Key suburbs will include Ballarat Central, Solders Hill, Wendouree, Canadian and North Ballarat.

“In the week prior to opening, there has been a significant momentum and positivity as properties transitioned over under the McGrath banner, with 16 opens, 110 viewings with offer and acceptance on four properties,” Mr Mourd said.

McGrath Ballarat will be led by Principals Daniel Nestor and Sean Toohey.

Both have been involved in a sales and operational level with various real estate agencies in Ballarat. Most recently as Directors of Ballarat Property Group.

“Ballarat deserves a premium brand with the highest quality people servicing the market, and that is exactly what we intend to do in building this business,” Mr Nestor said.

“We want our clients, both vendors and buyers, to benefit from the best marketing, knowledge and customer experience that we can offer.”

“Our decision to align ourselves with McGrath came about as we believe the brand not only compliments our own values and ethics but gives us the opportunity to learn from some of the very best agents in the country, and we see great benefit from that,” Mr Toohey added.

McGrath Ballarat will open with a team of eight, and its property management division will have a rent roll of 280 properties upon debut. The new office is located at 805 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, and the phone number is 5332 9226.