After moving to the Gold Coast in 1994, Anthony quickly discovered the harsh realities of commission-only real estate sales.
“The first day I started working there, there was eight people. The next day, there was two,” Anthony said.
“It was like that because people couldn’t survive in it.”
Working for a large land development company in Queensland, Mr Nardella was one of the few who made it through the brutal early days when most agents failed.
“Most people fail. Probably 90 per cent,” he said.
But Anthony didn’t just survive – he thrived, eventually smashing an Australian sales record held by AV Jennings by selling 18 houses in his first 18 months with Divine Homes.
A decorated career
After success in land sales and house-and-land packages, Anthony established his own construction company with display homes along the Gold Coast corridor.
However, in 2007, a life-threatening cancer diagnosis forced him to retire from the industry.
He stayed out of real estate until 2020, when COVID hit and he decided to return to the industry he loved.
“Over the years, I’ve bought and sold real estate. I saw how hopeless the average real estate agent is out there with the service and ability and everything else,” Anthony said.
“So I thought I’ll set up my business and call it Better Real Estate and just try and show people how real estate could be done properly.”
Working the Mid North Coast
Anthony now operates primarily in Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie and the Wauchope area on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, though his reputation has seen him called as far away as Hervey Bay to sell properties.
The region attracts a diverse mix of buyers, with people relocating from Sydney and increasingly from Western New South Wales towns like Dubbo, Forbes, Bathurst and Armidale.
“I think a lot of that was after winter. They’re probably trying to escape the cold,” Anthony said.
His success in the area is undeniable, with roughly one in every three or four sales resulting in a street record.
“Some agents never ever break a street record,” he said.
The secret to success
When asked about his consistent results, Anthony is refreshingly direct about his abilities.
“I’m not good at a lot of things, but I’m brilliant at this. I’m very good at being a real estate agent,” he said.
“I have all the skills that come with it that most agents don’t. I’m hardworking. I pretty much work seven days a week. I’m accessible to people all the time, and I know how to negotiate.”
Anthony said he knows how to close deals and get people excited about properties, taking strategic shortcuts that deliver results.
He’s particularly critical of larger agencies that he believes undersell properties.
“I’ve seen properties where they could have got $100,000, $200,000, $300,000 more,” Anthony said.
“Somehow in their head, they’ve got this idea that going to a big company, they’re going to get better results. And from what I can say, they undersell the properties for a hell of a lot in a lot of cases.”
The @realty advantage
Anthony partners with @realty through their Oasis brand, which allows him to maintain his own branding while benefiting from back-office support.
“I took that Oasis option, and I’m pretty happy with it. I’ve still got them doing the background work, but people aren’t confused about what we are and who we are,” he said.
The model also allows Anthony to collaborate with other @realty agents across the country, including Lee Dixon on the Gold Coast, enabling them to service clients anywhere.
“I love that opportunity to sort of go wherever I want,” Anthony said.
“It wouldn’t matter where you are – if someone wanted you to sell property there, it’s the same formula. You know your market, you know what’s there, you know how to negotiate, you know how to do all those things.”
Looking ahead
Anthony’s goal is to build his reputation to the point where clients seek him out.
“I want to get to a stage where people are chasing me and ringing me saying, can you come and look at listing my property,” he said.
“Trying to get people to understand the difference between going to a big company where they’re drowning in listings to come into me – they don’t see it as a positive yet.”
He wants clients to recognise the value of a boutique operation where properties receive full focus and attention.
With his track record of breaking records and delivering exceptional results, Anthony is determined to become the go-to agent on the Mid North Coast.
“I deliver exceptionally good service and results for people. That’s basically how I’ve got to where I’ve got to now,” he said.
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