The Insider: Meet McGrath Avalon's James Baker

James Baker from McGrath Avalon chats to Domain’s Prestige Insider about his career real estate and how the prestige market is performing in his patch. 

Have you been a real estate agent all your working life?

I’ve been in sales for 22 years and in real estate for 10 years. I previously worked in recruitment internationally, across Europe, Australia and Asia.

What made you take the step into real estate?

I have a degree in structural engineering and architecture and so always had an interest in property, along with a strong sales background.

What do you like most about your job?

I like working in the local community and the people. Also matching a buyer to the home and getting a great result for the owner – that’s what excites me. 

Who are the buyers today in Sydney’s northern beaches market?

Our market is split between family owners and holiday homes, with Palm Beach and Whale Beach having a higher percentage of holiday homes and Avalon in the majority being family homes. More and more people are retiring up here and want good access to Avalon village and some requiring a view. 

Tell us about the local prestige market?

The prestige end of the market is performing really well – particularly waterfronts in Avalon, Newport and Clareville. There is still a disparity with suburbs closer to the city and therefore people still see value here at every level in the market. Another key factor emerging today is that retirees are now buying their main house in Palm Beach and Whale Beach and then having a secondary apartment in the city, where previously they were buying the main house in the city and weekender here.