Adeel Obaid has built a thriving real estate business in Melbourne’s western suburbs, carving out a niche by focusing on first-home buyers and leading with dedication and a strong work ethic.
After arriving in Australia on a student visa, Mr Obaid’s journey took an unexpected turn.
He found himself working in hospitality, where an unlikely source of inspiration set him on a new path.
“I used to see real estate agents come into the restaurant,” Mr Obaid said.
“They drove nice cars, and that was a motivation for me.
“I thought, ‘If they can do it, I can do it too.’”
Mr Obaid began his real estate career as a sales agent, steadily working his way up to director.
Eventually, he made the leap to launch his own Area Specialist office, driven by a vision to build something on his own terms.
The early days, however, were far from easy.
“My first listing took six months,” he said.
“When I started, I was relying on credit cards, but I had a clear goal and knew I had to make it work.”
With no family support or industry connections, Mr Obaid’s success was born purely from persistence and hard work.
“It was just me on the ground, prospecting, door knocking, doing everything I could,” he said.
“People don’t see the effort behind the scenes.
“They call it luck, but there’s no such thing. It all comes down to hard work.”
Operating predominantly in Melton and its surrounding suburbs, Mr Obaid has developed a strong understanding of the local market, which is dominated by first-home buyers.
“You have to be genuine and willing to work hard,” he said.
“First-home buyers have a lot of questions, both when buying and selling.
“If you can guide them with integrity, they’ll trust you.”
That trust has helped Mr Obaid grow a successful business, now supported by a team of six agents.
A key factor in his decision to join Area Specialist was the flexibility and autonomy the platform provides.
“I liked the model because I’m in control,” he said.
“It’s not like working under a big brand where you’re just feeding the system.
“What I earn, I keep, and as I expand my team, I can reward my agents instead of sending profits to head office.”
Supporting his team and improving their financial well-being is a priority for Mr Obaid.
“I know how much of a difference a few thousand dollars per property can make in someone’s life,” he said.
“Everyone’s got a family, and this can really change their lifestyle.”
Mr Obaid recently won a sales award in the $200,000+ GCI category at Area Specialist, while his office took second place for the highest percentage growth across the network.
The flexibility of the model has also allowed Mr Obaid to balance business with lifestyle.
“I was overseas for a month, in Mexico and the US, and I was still running the business remotely through video calls.
“My team held things together brilliantly.”
For agents considering their next move, Mr Obaid suggests taking the leap.
“Do it now, because eventually, you’ll do it anyway,” he said.
“Stop feeding the big elephant. Feed yourself and your family.”Area Specialist is a real estate platform built for high-performing agents, offering the systems, tools, and technology needed to launch, grow and manage your own business. Learn more at beyourboss.com.au.
