Craig Caughlan has joined The Agency as a property partner on the Gold Coast, as the national network looks to significantly expand in the region.
Mr Caughlan said he was excited to join The Agency and be reunited with real estate chief executive officer Matt Lahood, after having him as a mentor early in his career.
“My first three years in real estate were under the guidance of Matt and now, some 12 years after starting my career, I welcome the opportunity to show how far I’ve come,” he said.
“I am passionate about the Gold Coast market and relish the chance to help support The Agency’s ambitious plans for the state and for the brand nationally.”
Mr Caughlan said part of his role with The Agency on the Gold Coast would be to recruit and support new agents to the network in the region.
“We’ve got two agents here at the moment in Susan King and Vikki Plehan down in the Palm Beach area and then there’s myself on the northern end,” he said.
“But our aim is to get 40 agents on the Gold Coast.
“The aim that Matt’s got, and which I’ve plugged into very much, is to say, ‘We are different, we are unique. We have a very good offering and we’d like to work with good, quality people’.”
Mr Caughlan said one of The Agency’s innovative, purpose-designed office hubs would be established on the Gold Coast, likely in the first six months of 2023.
“Agents are mobile and plug into that workspace when they need it,” Mr Caughlan said.
“They come in and get stuff done, they do a bit of networking, sales meetings and things like that, and then they get back out and do their thing.”
Mr Caughlan said he was attracted to join The Agency by the opportunity to work with Matt again, along with fellow CEO Geoff Lucas, as well as the brand’s reputation for outstanding customer service, marketing, its national presence and cross-network referrals.
“From an agent’s perspective, the good thing about The Agency for me is that it gives me the flexibility to be able to network nationally with other agents to move people around,” he said.
“If we’ve got clients in Melbourne or Sydney, who own property on the Gold Coast, or want to own property on the Gold Coast, you’ve got that inter-company, networking referral base.”
He said The Agency’s modern approach to real estate, where you don’t have to have a bricks and mortar office was also appealing, as was its culture of networking and sharing ideas.
“Through The Agency’s strong team culture and the innovative use of new technology, I plan to continue to provide exceptional service and exceed client expectations,” Mr Caughlan said.
Mr Lahood said Mr Caughlan was an important addition to the team in what is a vital hub in Queensland.
“Australians have a love affair with the Gold Coast and Craig is the right person to capitalise on the growth that we are seeing in the market,” he said.
“Having established himself on the Gold Coast some seven years ago, after a successful start in real estate in Sydney, he understands the dynamics of why the market is so attractive to those from interstate and for locals alike.
“Driven, competitive and honest, Craig has a huge care factor among colleagues and clients and aims to deliver outstanding results at every turn.”
Mr Caughlan will focus on properties in Runaway Bay, Paradise Point, Hollywell, Coombabah and Biggera Waters.
“The Gold Coast market has seen generous growth since the beginning of the pandemic and the demographic attracted to the area continues to evolve,” he said.
“It’s a unique market and despite considerable headwinds it continues to flourish due to location, lifestyle and luxury opportunity.”
