A breakout reality TV star and one of the country’s best-known (and arguably most divisive) real estate agents – we chat to Rubinstein ahead of his second outing on Luxe Listings Sydney.
4 min
Gavin Rubinstein has built a reputation as one of the busiest men in Australian real estate – a man with an insatiable appetite for success.
From selling the country’s finest luxury residences via his agency, The Rubinstein Group, to starring in Amazon Prime’s surprise TV hit Luxe Listings Sydney, Rubinstein has developed a broad following and confident reputation.
Still, the recently installed H&R Block Property Ambassador works hard for his dollars and is acutely focused on his career – happily wolfing down lunch in his car to make various client meetings.
We caught up with the 34-year-old ahead of today’s second season launch – to talk swagger, suits, selling and more.
What’s a day in the life of Gavin Rubinstein like?
It’s very structured — I’m a man of routine. Alarm goes at 5am every day of the week, I’m in the gym by 6am and then some time to myself before the whirlwind of work really kicks in.
Between the hours of 6am-10pm my phone is consistently buzzing whilst I jet between meetings and some of the most luxurious properties in Sydney.
I suit up too, no matter the occasion, because I truly believe if you look good, you feel good, you do good. However, the supposed glamour of real estate isn’t all that, you’ll find me eating lunch at my desk or in the car when I can find a spare minute.
What makes a good agent?
Persistence and work ethic is key — very few people realise how demanding this industry can be before they get their foot in the door. You have to be willing to throw away a lot of leisure time to be one of the industry’s best.
Secondly, always, always deliver on your promises and do what you say you will – because building genuine client relationships is only going to project you forward.
Lastly, a solid level of service and communication is key. Go above and beyond to provide that wow factor because buying and investing in property is no small feat.
You operate predominantly in Sydney’s east, what makes it such a coveted – and expensive – area?
The harbourside lifestyle is definitely appealing, so too is its convenience – you’re never more than a 5-10 minute drive to some of Australia’s best beaches. Similarly, it’s a relatively short commute to the CBD for work commitments whether travelling by car, bus, train or ferry. Above all, I think it’s the stunning views – you can’t get much more iconic than the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Opera House.
Why do you believe Luxe Listings holds such a strong allure for viewers?
For Sydney viewers it is obviously located in their backyard, so people are intrigued and excited by the stardom of locations that are known to them. The way in which they showcase our city is on another level, the types of property on display are very aspirational and that has a lasting effect. Call me biased, but I think the cast of the show definitely complement each other in wicked ways, providing some good entertainment and drama. From a production point of view, the cinematography is epic, really putting on a show of property and views.
Where do you think the ANZ prestige market is heading in the next 12 months?
Given the continued demand for prestige homes and minimal buying opportunities, I believe we’re only going to see this sector grow from strength to strength. We’re seeing a huge ‘return-to-home’ phenomenon from expats, many of whom are returning with large amounts of wealth which they have accumulated over many years working in places like London, Hong Kong, New York and Singapore. This is only fuelling the demand for hot property nationwide.
What advice would you give to people looking to buy in Sydney?
As always, for anyone looking to enter the market irrespective of your experience with property, I highly recommend you seek advice from a tax professional in the know. As Australia’s leading property taxation experts, H&R Block are on top of every single tax concession related to home ownership and property investment.
Obviously, you’re something of a divisive character, what would you say to someone who wants professional success but also wants to please everyone?
Be true to yourself, remain authentic, and never put on a show. Intelligent people see straight through any fake facade and that will only inhibit your opportunities in the industry. In regard to a ‘people pleasing’ mentality — you also have to learn to value your time and know when certain activities might not be a productive use of your precious working hours.
Of your ‘competition’ on the show and in market – namely agents D’leanne Lewis and Monika Tu — how do they influence your work? Do you think you’d be as driven without their presence?
Competition is a good thing and I love to compete. I’ve always possessed this natural drive and tend to run my own race no matter the task at hand, but every agent has, or will, build their own style and value proposition. I know what I bring to the table and it’s not going to be for everyone — I’m cool with that. Some people will connect better with my competitors and that’s always going to be the case.
What’s next for Gavin Rubinstein?
Plenty! We’re in the midst of opening a new office in Rose Bay, very much expanding the TRG team and family. In addition, I’ve partnered with H&R Block to help educate and upskill property investors and prospective owners about the changing deductions and tax implications… I’m a stickler for progression; next year has to be better than last and today better than yesterday. Stay tuned people.
Luxe Listings Sydney season two streams on Amazon Prime from April 1; therubinsteingroup.com
High rents and rising values are inspiring greater investor activity this year
3 min
Advertised rents on houses and apartments have risen by more than 40 percent nationwide since the pre-pandemic period, with a shortage of rental homes and record levels of net overseas migration pushing weekly rents higher and reducing vacancy rates to historical lows, said Proptrack senior economist Eleanor Creagh.
However, Ms Creagh said the pressure in Australia’s rental market should ease over the next year as overseas migration falls, with the Federal Government expecting it to halve from here. Meantime, home values have continued to lift because the supply versus demand imbalance is now so great it is trumping the traditional dampening effect of rising interest rates on prices. Proptrack data showed the national median value lifted for the 17th consecutive month in May.
“Despite a rise in the number of homes for sale this year, strong population growth, tight rental markets, and home equity gains are all contributing to demand, while the supply side of the housing market has fallen short and as a result, home prices reached a fresh peak in May as robust demand has continued to push prices upwards,” Ms Creagh said.
More investors are in the property market this year due to strong rental yields and continually rising values. Ms Creagh said lending to investors had reached record levels in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, which are the strongest states at the moment for capital city price growth and rental demand.
Proptrack has published data showing the top suburbs for rental yields in both the capital cities and regional areas of each state, as well as the suburbs with the highest capital growth over five years.
Here are the results for the five mainland states.
NSW
The suburbs with the highest rental yields for houses in Greater Sydney are Killarney Vale 4.2 percent, Watanobbi 4.1 percent, Blue Haven 4.1 percent, Woongarrah 4.1 percent and Airds 4.1 percent.
In the regions, the top rental yields can be found in Broken Hill 9 percent, Cobar 8.5 percent, South Lismore 8.3 percent, Boggabri 7.5 percent and Moree 7.2 percent. The top suburbs across NSW for capital growth over the past five years are Finley 126 percent, Culcairn 123 percent, Hay 108 percent, Broulee 106 percent and West Wyalong 105 percent.
Victoria
In Greater Melbourne, the suburbs with the highest rental house yields are Wollert 4.4 percent, Coolaroo 4.3 percent, Dallas 4.3 percent, Koo Wee Rup 4.2 percent and Roxburgh Park 4.2 percent. In the regions, the best rental yields for houses can be found in Red Cliffs 6 percent, Mooroopna 5.9 percent, Numurkah 5.9 percent, Stawell 5.8 percent and Morwell 5.6 percent.
The top Victorian suburbs for five-year capital growth are Warracknabeal 119 percent, Orbost 108 percent, Beechworth 102 percent, Myrtleford 100 percent and Euroa 99 percent.
Queensland
The suburbs with the highest rental house yields in Greater Brisbane are Laidley North 6.1 percent, Laidley 5.6 percent, Churchill 5.5 percent, North Booval 5.5 percent and Russell Island 5.4 percent. In the regions, the top rental-yielding suburbs are Collinsville 10.4 percent, Moura 10.1 percent, Moranbah 9.7 percent, Pioneer 9.6 percent and Blackwater 9.5 percent.
The Sunshine State’s fastest-growing suburbs for home values over five years are Mount Morgan 157 percent, Woodford 126 percent, Dysart 122 percent, Mount Coolum 121 percent and Worongary 114 percent.
South Australia
The suburbs with the highest rental yields for houses in Greater Adelaide are Eyre 5.6 percent, Elizabeth North 5.6 percent, Smithfield Plains 5.6 percent, Munno Para 5.4 percent and Salisbury North 5.4 percent. The best rental yields in regional South Australia can be found in Whyalla Norrie 7.9 percent, Risdon Park 7.8 percent, Port Pirie South 7.8 percent, Whyalla Stuart 7.7 percent and Port Augusta 7.6 percent.
The top South Australian suburbs for five-year capital growth are Elizabeth Downs and Elizabeth North – both at 135 percent, Elizabeth South 127 percent, Elizabeth East 123 percent and Hackham West 117 percent.
Western Australia
The suburbs with the highest rental yields for houses in Greater Perth are Hilbert 6.4 percent, Medina 6.3 percent, Stratton 6.3 percent, Balga 6.3 percent and Dayton 6.2 percent. The best rental yields across regional areas can be found in Kambalda East 12.2 percent, Kambalda West 11.2 percent, Nickol 11 percent, South Headland 10.9 percent and Newman 10.7 percent.
The top West Australian suburbs for capital growth over the past five years are South Hedland 135 percent, Rangeway 116 percent, Darlington 115 percent, Cooloongup 114 percent and Spalding 113 percent.
