The Agency’s Ben Olofsen, and Cameron McKillop of McKillop Property, are joining forces under The Agency banner to create a formidable operation across the Southern Highlands, Southern Tablelands and Wollondilly regions.
Launching with 200 listings and a team of 15 agents and staff, this will be one of, if not the biggest, real estate operations in the area.
The Agency CEO Matt Lahood said it was an important alliance between two prolific, premium agents in the Southern Highlands area and surrounds.
“Ben Olofsen has already achieved incredible results with The Agency in the Southern Highlands, and now with the addition of Cameron McKillop and his highly talented team, we can help realise the expansion of these impressive real estate operations,” Mr Lahood said.
Cameron McKillop’s Southern Highlands sales team will be joining The Agency and the Goulburn office will be re-branded The Agency.
Enhancing the connection between the Sydney and Southern Highlands markets is a strategic move for both businesses.
Currently there is a shortage of stock in the Sydney market, particularly in the prestige category, and in the Southern Highlands 80 to 85 per cent of buyer enquiries are from Sydney.
“Joining The Agency not only provides enormous exposure for our properties in Sydney, but nationally,” Mr McKillop explained.
“We find those clients who have already migrated from Sydney are more comfortable dealing with a brand that has a footprint in both locations, which we can now provide.”
There is significant migration between Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Lower North Shore and Inner West and the Southern Highlands area. This includes Sydney downsizers and families either relocating or purchasing weekenders and/or farms.
Prestige agent Ben Collier said he has many Paddington and Woollahra clients who have downsized from the family home and live locally Monday to Friday, but then spend their weekends in the Southern Highlands.
“Strategically there is a strong connection between Sydney’s blue chip areas and the Southern Highlands,” he said.
“It is not uncommon for clients who have homes in the Southern Highlands to ask for recommendations. They want an agency that can tap into the Eastern Suburbs, Lower North Shore as well as the Highlands.
“These types of clients are attracted to our brand and the premium level of service we can provide.”
Mr McKillop said he was also excited about his agents gaining access to industry leaders like Matt Lahood and Director of Sales Thomas McGlynn, who runs weekly sales meetings with the team.
According to Mr McGlynn, these forums provide the ideal space for connecting the Southern Highlands agents and their available stock with keen Sydney buyers on the hunt for property.
“Our model facilitates integration and close cooperation between our agent network nationally, our teams will be working closely together to maximise the synergies at hand,” he said.
For Mr Olofsen, uniting with Mr McKillop and his team was a natural choice, as they are highly regarded, well-known and respected.
“The Agency attracts great talent and this partnership makes sense,” he said. “We will be working across all market segments, from prestige residential to rural and commercial properties, delivering premium service at all times.”
