Matthew has been the director Of Barry Plant Lilydale for 11 years and takes over ownership of Barry Plant Croydon in the neighbouring suburb from Geoff Thompson, who has owned and operated the office for almost 30 years. Geoff will still be involved in the business through the rental department.
Matthew said he jumped at the opportunity to buy Barry Plant Croydon, given it is an established office and a business of that size “rarely comes up for sale”.
“I’m very excited to do it, it a challenge but looking forward to,” Matthew said.
“I’m 38 so I feel like I am at the right age. For the Croydon office we are looking at increasing our digital presence. Barry Plant is going through a brand refresh and we are modernising our office. The goal for now is the take the business to the next level and keep it firing,” he said.
James Brougham has been working in the business for about 11 years.
“I tend to work more running of business where James is at coal face. He is currently the number one salesperson in Croydon and he is building on that as well. We are looking to bring fresh ideas to the table,” Matthew said.
“We have never worked together but have worked alongside each other. We have a fantastic mutual respect for each other and it’s been working beautifully so far.”
The directors are supported in the Croydon office by eight sales people and three personal assistants, plus 12 staff in the rental department and five administrative staff. The Lilydale office has seven sales staff inclusive of PA’s.
The Rental Department manages around 1000 properties and James and Matthew have taken an equity share in this part of the business alongside Geoff Thompson.
Matthew says he is confident the market will be buoyant in spring and is looking forward to increasing the strong market share Barry Plant Croydon holds.
The goal for Matthew is the grow the business and increase the rental roll to “well in excess of 1500 rental properties.”
“We want to build our market share, we are market leaders at the moment but we want to get better market share,” Matthew said.
The Lilydale demographic includes more first-home buyers with Croydon being the next price bracket up from there.
Matthew describes the area as diverse. “The top sale in the last 12 months in Lilydale was just under $2 million and the top sale in Croydon was just over $2 million. Both suburbs have seen a 33 per cent rise in the last two years.”
