🎙️ Real Estate Revamp | Sam Nokes – Director of Sales at Planitar

In this episode of Real Estate Revamp, Rex and Chanell welcome Sam Nokes, Industry Partnership Manager at REA Group and a long-standing leader in the real estate industry.

Sam shares his career journey from starting in property management to leading teams at Jellis Craig, before moving into his current role at REA Group where he works closely with franchise groups and industry bodies.

He discusses leadership, mentorship, and the importance of staying curious, as well as the key changes shaping the industry today — including evolving property management roles, new business models, and the increasing focus on long-term planning.

The conversation also explores the role of technology in real estate, with a focus on iGuide and how virtual inspections, accurate floor plans, and data-driven insights are helping agents improve efficiency and build trust with clients.

This episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to better understand the future of real estate and how to stay competitive in a changing market.

🎧 Tune in to this episode of Real Estate Revamp.

🎙️ Real Estate Revamp | Zoe Cherrie – Director, Buxton Real Estate Elwood

In this episode of Real Estate Revamp, Rex and Chanell welcome Zoe Cherrie, Director at Buxton Real Estate Elwood.

Zoe shares her unique path into real estate, from leaving university and working as a dog trainer to eventually building a successful career in the property industry. Starting as a personal assistant, she worked her way through the ranks before becoming a director and helping lead the Buxton Elwood office.

Zoe discusses leadership, culture, and why authenticity plays such a powerful role in modern real estate. She also explains why she hires based on cultural fit and personality, believing skills can be taught but attitude cannot.

The conversation also explores Zoe’s experience as a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry, why being underestimated can sometimes become an advantage, and how balancing assertiveness with empathy helps build stronger relationships in business.

Zoe also reflects on redefining success, sharing how she now prioritises mental health, wellbeing, and work-life integration while continuing to perform at a high level in a demanding industry.

🎧 Tune in to this episode of Real Estate Revamp.

🎙️ Real Estate Revamp | Andrew Martin – Auctions360 & Head of Auctions for O’Brien Real Estate

In this episode of Real Estate Revamp, Rex and Chanell welcome Andrew Martin, Founder of Auctions360 and Head of Auctions & Strategic Growth Advisor at O’Brien Real Estate Corporate.

Andrew’s career spans music, media, sales, and real estate leadership. From running major sales divisions at News Corp to leading growth initiatives within O’Brien, he brings a unique performance-driven approach to auctions, recruitment, and business development.

Andrew shares insights on leadership, coaching, sustainable growth models, and why business owners must prioritise recruitment. He unpacks what really happens behind the scenes of successful auctions, the future of real estate technology, and why old-school discipline still outperforms shortcuts.

This episode is packed with practical advice for agents, principals, auctioneers, and anyone serious about building a long-term career in real estate.

🎧 Tune in to this episode of Real Estate Revamp.

🎙️ Real Estate Revamp | John Nockles & Jarrod Moran – Directors, CVA Property Consultants

In this episode of Real Estate Revamp, Rex and Chanell sit down with John Nockles and Jarrod Moran, Directors at CVA Property Consultants, to unpack the thinking, culture, and values behind one of Victoria’s leading commercial real estate firms.

With more than 15 years of experience in Melbourne’s commercial property market, John shares how CVA’s journey has been shaped by a consultative, problem-solving approach, working closely with owner-occupiers and investors across sales, leasing, asset management, and development consultancy. Known for his lateral thinking in a traditionally linear industry, John speaks to the importance of innovation, adaptability, and looking beyond “what’s been done” to what’s possible.

Jarrod brings deep market knowledge, extensive business experience, and a relentless work ethic to the conversation. He discusses how commercial real estate differs from residential, the importance of long-term strategy on the investor side, and why trust, discretion, and analytical thinking sit at the heart of successful commercial transactions.

Together, John and Jarrod dive into CVA’s growth from a 25-person team to more than 58 employees, achieved largely through organic growth rather than acquisition. They share insights into CVA’s family-based culture, core values of courage, accountability, authenticity, and integrity, and why hiring the right people, based on attitude and values matters more than prior industry experience.

The conversation also explores leadership, partnership, and personal philosophy, including how they define success beyond financial metrics, the importance of family and balance, and why doing the right thing, creating value, and leading by example have been central to CVA’s continued success.

Whether you’re in commercial real estate, business, or leadership, this episode delivers thoughtful insights and real-world lessons from two leaders helping redefine what success looks like in the commercial property space.

🎧 Tune in to this episode of Real Estate Revamp.

🎙️ Real Estate Revamp | Stephen Dullens – Real Estate Leader & Former CEO, Ray White Victoria & Tasmania

In this episode of Real Estate Revamp, Rex and Chanell sit down with Stephen Dullens, a highly respected real estate executive with decades of experience helping lead and shape one of Australasia’s most influential property networks.

Stephen talks about where he started, his early career in accounting, and the path that led him into real estate. He shares how that journey ultimately saw him become CEO of Ray White Victoria & Tasmania, where he played a pivotal role in leading the brand and supporting business owners across Victoria and Tasmania during periods of significant growth and change.

Throughout the conversation, Stephen offers insights into leadership at scale, building high-performing teams, and creating a strong culture across a large network. He discusses the importance of long-term thinking, developing people, making tough decisions, and staying adaptable in an ever-changing market.

Whether you’re in real estate, business, or leadership, this episode delivers practical lessons and real-world perspectives from one of the industry’s most experienced leaders.

🎧 Tune in to this episode of Real Estate Revamp.

🎙️ Real Estate Revamp | Dean O’Brien – Founder of O’Brien Real Estate

In this episode of Real Estate Revamp, Rex and Chanell sit down with Dean O’Brien, Founder and Co-Director of O’Brien Real Estate.

Dean shares his journey from entering real estate in 2001 to co-founding O’Brien Real Estate in 2010, growing it from a single office into one of Victoria’s most respected real estate networks, now spanning more than 40 offices across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

He dives into what it takes to build a strong culture at scale — covering leadership, recruiting and retaining top talent, training and mentoring teams, and staying true to core values while growing a high-performing brand.

Dean also opens up about his personal values, how he approaches tough decisions, the importance of long-term thinking, and why personal development and community involvement are central to his leadership style.

Whether you’re in real estate, business, or leadership, this episode offers practical insights and real-world lessons from one of Australia’s leading real estate founders.

🎧 Tune in to this episode of Real Estate Revamp.

Our special guest on this week’s Real Estate Renovators is Pat McConnachie, Managing Director of Ray White Ferntree Gully.

Pat has some great insights to share about how he’s developed the Ferntree Gully office to be the number one Ray White agency in Victoria for going on nine years.

He outlines how he approaches recruiting and retention, training and mentoring, and even how he helps his new team members with their personal budgeting!

He also tells Rex and Chanell about his own journey, his key values, how he makes tough decisions, and how he’s prioritised personal and professional growth.

You’ll soon appreciate what has made Pat not only a successful business owner but a respected and admired leader in the industry when you click Play on this episode of Real Estate Renovators.

Our special guest on this week’s Real Estate Renovators is mortgage broker Bernard Desmond, the founder, director and CEO of Blank Financial. He recently took home the Community Champion award at the 2025 Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) State Excellence Awards for Victoria and Tasmania. Bernard tells us how he found his passion in mortgage broking, why he sees broking as a still-undervalued service, and what he sees as the secrets to his success. He also explains how he builds relationships with agents, his unique approach to marketing himself and his service, and why he considers his role as one of finding solutions for people. Bernard’s enthusiasm and positivity is evident throughout this episode of Real Estate Renovators, so click Play right now to enjoy his chat with Rex and Chanell.

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