How a Canberra real estate agency became one of Australia's top 50 in 2025

When you examine the numbers, the business story of Hayman Partners is quite remarkable.

Since 2018, the real estate agency has expanded its team to over 30, completed a merger, opened offices in Curtin and Reid, and been featured on national industry lists.

For instance, Hayman Partners landed on REB’s Top 50 Sales Offices 2025 – the only ACT agency to rank on the national list. To secure the spot, the business transacted 375 How a Canberra Real Estate Office Became One of Australia’s Top 50properties across Canberra, with a median price of over $1 million, during 2023-2024, resulting in $323 million in settlements.

A big contributor to that achievement is principal Brett Hayman, one of Australia’s top 100 agents for eight years running.

Reflecting on the business’s growth, Hayman spoke to Allhomes about the local property market and building a client-first culture that stays connected to the community.

What is the current state of play for Canberra’s property market? 

Canberra’s market is steady, thanks to a solid backbone of government employment, but also dynamic. There are micro-markets that behave very differently depending on buyer demand, lifestyle trends or school zones.

We’ve seen auction clearance rates rise here while other cities soften. In Canberra, the pace of transactions is picking up. We’re seeing strong off-market activity and buyers making early offers to avoid auctions.

Canberra tends to avoid the wild swings other markets see – we’ve got stability, a great lifestyle, and increasing interest from interstate buyers. I think we’ll see steady growth, more informed buyers, and a market that continues to evolve.

What’s something people don’t realise is part of an agent’s job? 

Many people think real estate is glamorous, but the truth is that you spend most of your time being an educator, problem solver, or a sounding board. Agents guide people through some big life decisions – and sometimes, there’s some counselling involved.

After 25 years in the industry, Canberra’s market still surprises. Buyer behaviour shifts, and what works in one suburb might miss the mark in another, so you’re always learning. 

How do you measure success beyond sales numbers? 

Success for us isn’t just about how many homes we sell – it’s about what clients say once the job’s done, how our team grows and how we show up for our community. When clients come back to us or refer others, that tells me we’re doing something right. When team members stay and thrive, it tells me that we’ve built a culture that supports people in doing great work.

When we raise $21,000 for our community partners at Pegasus Riding for the Disabled, it reminds me that our impact goes beyond real estate. Strong results matter, but the real goal is trust, longevity and leaving a positive footprint.

What’s your best advice for buyers and sellers? 

For buyers, do your homework: research suburbs and attend auctions as an observer. Get your finances sorted early and know your budget. The best results usually come when you’re ready to act quickly and calmly, but don’t let FOMO do the bidding for you. 

For sellers, home presentation matters. Lean on your agent’s guidance for pricing, and if you’re heading to auction, stay open to strong pre-auction offers because a better one may not be around the corner. Early buyers are usually the most motivated and ready to act quickly. That urgency is worth paying attention to.

This feature is part of an Allhomes package.