The Insider: Why The Agency's James Ledgerwood returned home

Domain chats to James Ledgerwood, who recently relocated from Queensland to join The Agency in Sydney.

Your current job at The Agency is a return home from Queensland – is that right?

Yes, before The Agency I started my real estate career in 2004 in Queensland working with Ray White and more recently I worked with McGrath on the Gold Coast. But having been born in Sydney, this year I decided it was time to move home and have joined The Agency, where I am now working with some of the most experienced and highly regarded agents in Sydney. It was the logical move.

Tell us about your top price sale of all time – what stood out about this property sale?

A riverfront mansion, more than 2000 square metres of house, on more than 3000 square metres of land in Southport, which sold for $9.8 million and set the Queensland auction record. It was the tail end of the global financial crisis years. Finding prestige buyers at the bottom of the cycle and then achieving a premium price, hundreds of thousands of dollars above the seller’s expectations, was achieved.

What is happening in the prestige Sydney market now?

Listings in Sydney’s eastern suburbs remain tight while buyer demand is exceptionally strong. Recent open homes have been very busy with buyers wanting to jump on the object of their desire as soon as it hits the market before someone else snaps it up. The downsizing trend, those selling their large family home and moving to smaller home plus a holiday home, is pushing the luxury apartment market to new heights.

Have you got a favourite property in Sydney? Which one and why?

I love the water so anything on, or with a view of, the harbour or ocean holds immense appeal for me. The lifestyle that quiet harbour beaches like Kutti Beach offer, where you have got the beach at your doorstep and a dinghy ready to go out to your boat, that is hard to beat.

Which Sydney suburbs or properties are pinging on the radars of savvy prestige buyers?

Large family homes in Vaucluse are being hotly sought after with buyers attracted to the leafy suburb for its harbour views and well proportioned blocks. However, there are only a few homes available for sale so choice is limited. Luxury apartments in Bondi and other beachside suburbs are popular with expats and downsizers alike.