Rachel Buglisi began her real estate journey fresh out of school when her father connected her with the owner of a local agency in Traralgon.
“I started working at the agency at the age of 18 on reception,” Rachel said.
“I just loved the job and meeting people.”
From reception, she worked her way through various roles including contracts manager and sales assistant before taking the leap into sales.
“I was the first female agent to come into the office,” she said.
“I never imagined I’d become a salesperson, but I gave it a go, found I genuinely enjoyed working with people, and built my career from there. What started unexpectedly has really taken off “
A catalyst for change
After spending years building her reputation in the Latrobe Valley, COVID became an unexpected turning point for Rachel’s career.
Working remotely during lockdowns and selling properties without even attending in person, she began to question the traditional office model.
“I was a new mum at the time and wasn’t receiving any office referrals, but I was still able to generate enough business through repeat clients and the relationships I’d built. So it started getting me thinking about taking the step and going solo away from the agency.”
In September 2022 Rachel made the move to Area Specialist, and now four years later, she hasn’t looked back.
The Latrobe Valley market
Rachel operates primarily in the Latrobe Valley, with Traralgon as the main hub, along with surrounding areas.
“The market has undergone dramatic changes in recent years, particularly over the last 12 to 18 months.”
“Two years ago, there was a lot more stock on the market, but today we’re seeing a much tighter market with significantly less available, which has impacted property prices dramatically” Rachel said.
The surge in interest from investors has transformed the local market, creating new opportunities for agents operating in the region.
A client-first approach
Rachel attributes her success to her genuine commitment to achieving the best outcomes for her clients.
“What I really enjoy about being in real estate is meeting people, understanding what is important to them and then working hard to achieve the best possible result on their behalf. Selling a property is a significant decision because, for most people, it is one of their biggest financial assets.”
She recognises that selling property isn’t something people do every day, and they need an agent they can trust.
“I believe the best agents are the ones their clients can genuinely trust and rely on throughout what can be one of the biggest decisions of their lives. For me, that trust is built through strong local market knowledge, honest advice, clear communication and, most importantly, delivering on what I say I’m going to do.
“I pride myself on understanding the market at a local level – not just knowing recent sales, but understanding buyer behaviour, what is driving demand and how to position a property to achieve the best possible result. I also believe communication is a major part of being a successful agent. Sellers want to feel informed and confident, and buyers want an agent who is approachable, responsive and knowledgeable.
“I genuinely care about the outcome for my clients. I’m competitive and driven to achieve strong results, but I also understand that real estate is ultimately about people. My approach is professional, transparent and relationship-focused, and I want my clients to feel that they have someone in their corner from the first conversation right through to settlement and beyond.” Rachel said.
The Area Specialist advantage
The transition to Area Specialist proved to be a game-changer for Rachel’s business and lifestyle.
“Now I can be my own boss which is very rewarding,” she said.
The success has enabled her to employ a full-time assistant, allowing her to focus on the core aspects of real estate.
Growing presence and future plans
Rachel’s hard work is paying off in terms of market recognition. As a solo agent, she’s competing directly with larger agencies that have multiple agents.
As a solo agent, she has continued to make a significant impact in the local market, ranking among the top agents on realestate.com and being recognised as the 2026 Agent of the Year.
Her growing profile is also evident within the community. It’s a reflection of the strong presence she has built in the local market and the growing recognition of her work.
The most recent milestone is the opening of a physical office in Traralgon’s CBD, giving her business a prominent local presence.
“It’s a big step for us,” she said.
Looking ahead, Rachel is content with where her business sits.
“If it stays as it is, I’ll be quite happy,” she said.
Rachel also gives back to her community through sponsorship of the local Boolarra football-netball club.
Looking back on her journey from reception to becoming a leading independent agent, Rachel reflects on how far she’s come.
“When I first joined Area Specialist, my goal was simply to sell one or two properties a month”, she said.
“Looking back now, it’s incredible to see how far things have come. What started with such a modest goal has grown into a really successful business, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built.”
Area Specialist is a real estate platform for top-performing agents, providing the systems, tools and technology they need to create, grow and power their business. For more information visit beyourboss.com.au.