The Agency has announced the opening of its first regional office in Victoria’s High Country, after partnering with top agents Allana Storer and Kate McDougall.
The Agency’s General Manager Victoria, Peter Kakos, said the growing brand was “thrilled to be linking arms and partnering” with such incredible talent.
“The Agency had always wanted to expand to regional Victoria, but it was a question of the right location and right agents. With Allana and Kate leading our Mansfield office, we are fortunate to have both. Allana and Kate are very well-connected local identities.”
Just two and a half hours from Melbourne, Mansfield is a nature-lover’s paradise. The alpine scenery, a burgeoning food and wine scene, and adventure sports around Lake Eildon and the Delatite River attract city-dwellers from Melbourne looking for a tree change.
Mr Kakos noted strategically, there is a strong connection between Melbourne and Mansfield, with an increasing number of Melbourne families wanting to relocate or purchase weekenders and lifestyle properties.
“Mansfield is undergoing huge growth given its location at the foot of Victoria’s premier ski resort Mount Buller,” Mr Kakos said.
“The landscape is breath-taking and it’s a busy town year-round: in winter during the snow season and in summer with mountain biking. The home ownership in Mansfield of Melbourne home owners is immense.”
Ms Storer has a strong connection with the Mansfield community, having been born and raised in the High Country.
Ms McDougall said she and Ms Storer were “yin and yang” with “polar opposite strengths and weaknesses”.
“We have a great energy when we are together, which is why, since we started working as a team two years ago, we quickly became top-selling agents in the area.”
With over two decades of experience in sales, marketing and guest services at Mount Buller and throughout The High Country, Ms McDougall is passionate about connecting people with their perfect property.
Outside of the real estate world, she is dedicated to her local community, actively volunteering to raise money for various causes.
Ms McDougall organised a black tie ‘buy a bale’ ball in 2018 where she and Ms Storer first met Peter. The event raised an incredible $190,000 for drought affected farmers all over Australia.
Since then, Ms McDougall and Ms Storer developed a mentor relationship with Mr Kakos, and the pair said this has been one of the biggest drivers in their decision to join The Agency.
“We had a great connection with Peter. We asked if we could come to Melbourne and mentor with him,” Ms McDougall said.
“There was a feeling about the Albert Park office, just a buzz I couldn’t put my finger on, and all the agents were so happy. I’ve been following The Agency for a long time and their unique business model always intrigued me.”
Together, Ms Storer and Ms McDougall embrace a unique approach in the Mansfield market, utilising their individual strengths.
Ms Storer’s strong connections with the local building and construction industry and Melbourne-based developers together with Ms McDougall’s expertise in equine, farming and large lifestyle properties ensures all aspects of the Mansfield market are covered.
“We are very hardworking and people like us because of our direct and honest approach,” Ms Storer said.
“I think three things make us stand out – Our empathy, patience, and great respect for our clients,” Ms McDougall said.
“We have the ability to assist our clients with their decision making and are readily available to them.”
