The Insider: The Agency's Ben Collier shares his secret sales weapon

Domain’s Prestige Insider chats to Ben Collier about the Sydney’s prestige market and the switch to working for The Agency.

You have had a busy 12 months, co-founding a new agency group in a busy marketplace. What is your story, Ben?

I started in real estate at the age of 18. I have spent the past 24 years with McGrath Estate Agents. They were enjoyable years and I have had many offers over the years to join different brands. But when the opportunity to join The Agency came along this year, with some of the best agents in the industry and different to the traditional “brand first, agent second” agency business model, well, it was too good to pass up. Brands do not sell houses, people do.

Tell us about your biggest sale price. Did anything – other than its price tag – stand out about this property sale?

My top sale price was $36 million for a three-storey waterfront home in Vaucluse last year. It was an amazing Luigi Rosselli designed home and included a tennis court, deep water jetty, nine-car garage and faced due north. Interestingly enough, it did not have views of the Harbour Bridge or the Sydney Opera House.

What are the hot trends in the upper Sydney market in 2017?

The prestige market is very active at the moment. Most interest is coming from local buyers and expatriates. It is not Chinese buyers.

Can you identify any design trends in Sydney prestige homes now?

Aside from the latest technology, I see a huge trend towards functionality for families. There is also demand for a combination of combined living areas, open plan, but some separate spaces.

Are your buyers seeking any particular suburbs or property types this autumn?

A huge trend at the moment is the number of downsizers moving from larger family homes back to the convenience and lifestyle that the inner-city suburbs offer. Evidence of this is the level of buyer demand for high-quality terraces in inner suburbs including Paddington and Woollahra.

You are one of the industry’s highest flyers, Ben – what is your secret sales weapon?

I absolutely love what I do. However, being surrounded by good people is the (not so secret) secret to my success. I have an amazing team behind me and a supportive, loving family to go home to. They all keep me on track and grounded in this exciting, fast-paced industry.