Now operating under @realty’s OASIS model, Sam Mansy has built a streamlined Surfers Paradise business that combines local specialisation, digital efficiency, and the freedom to work on his own terms.
Sam’s journey into real estate was different from most.
After 15 years as a chef, including a decade travelling the world working in five-star hotels, he returned to Australia at 30 ready for a change.
“I was working at the Sofitel and I decided that I didn’t wanna do that job anymore,” Sam said.
“I didn’t want to work all those long hours with no reward.”
A friend in real estate inspired him to take the plunge, but the transition wasn’t easy.
He joined an agency on a commission-only basis while still working breakfast shifts at the Sofitel.
“I used to work breakfast shifts starting at 3am and work until 10am, and then be a real estate agent,” Sam said.
“I used to do that seven days a week for about a year.”
Early success
Despite having no formal sales training or mentorship, Sam’s determination paid off quickly.
Within his first year, he generated over $350,000 in gross commission.
“I literally just worked on my own and then just got some help along the way from other agents,” he said.
Making the move to independence
When COVID hit, Sam reassessed his business model.
Working from home and handling most tasks himself, he questioned the value of paying 50 per cent of his income to a franchise.
“I was doing everything from home already. I was doing everything myself except for my trust accounting,” Sam said.
“I was spending thousands and thousands of dollars on social media marketing to promote somebody else’s company and they weren’t spending anything.”
He made the switch to @realty, where he now operates alongside his partner, who handles property management, under the OASIS model.
Specialising in Surfers Paradise apartments
Sam has carved out a niche in the Surfers Paradise apartment market, with 95–99% of his sales being apartments or body corporate properties.
“I’ve got three or four main buildings that I sell the majority in – I sell them more than other agents do in those buildings,” he said.
His client base includes interstate buyers, investors, and local owner-occupiers.
A different approach to service
What sets Sam apart is his speed and efficiency.
While other agents might take days or even weeks to process offers, he can have deals wrapped up within hours.
“If you came into one of my open homes and I knew that the owner was going to accept your offer, we could have the whole entire deal wrapped up within an hour or two,” Sam said.
“We are very digitally orientated, and we’re very quick. Contracts come out online. We have the lawyers sorted. I don’t go live without all the information.”
He is also committed to transparency and operating by the book.
“We’re very transparent and honest,” he said.
Building a lifestyle business
Sam has deliberately built a business that balances income with quality of life.
He sells around 20–25 properties per year at an average commission of 3.72 per cent, while maintaining a stress-free lifestyle.
“I like a good mixture between balance,” he said.
“Everybody gets a five-star service from us. I don’t want to be doing 30 open homes on a weekend. I prefer to stick to around five open homes and manage things comfortably.”
His typical day starts at 5am with a trip to the beach, gym, and a swim before starting work around 9 or 10am.
“Our business runs everywhere we go. I can be laying on the beach somewhere at the same time as getting a sale across the line,” Sam said.
Premium service without the overheads
Despite operating independently, Sam competes at a high level.
He maintains premier listings on realestate.com.au, has a billboard in Surfers Paradise, and markets in line with major franchise brands.
“We market like a big company. We don’t market like a little one,” he said.
“We have all the same advantages. The only difference is we don’t have an office.”
Together with his partner, they have also organically grown a property management portfolio.
From $20,000 in debt to financial freedom
The journey hasn’t always been smooth. When starting out, Sam rode a $300 scooter to appraisals and went $20,000 into debt hiring cars on his credit card.
“I didn’t even have enough money to pay rent by being a real estate agent when I first started out until I slowly got the hang of it and just worked and worked and worked at it,” he said.
Now, he has built a business that runs efficiently while allowing him the lifestyle he wants.
“I built my own little empire that just runs very smoothly,” Sam said.
“Some people want to be the top agent for the Gold Coast. These people still earn the same amount of money that I do, but they probably have to work 10 times more hours.”
Sam’s model reflects a clear focus on specialisation, efficiency, and building a business that supports both performance and lifestyle.
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