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From concept to completion, we design, manufacture, and deliver TALK TO OUR TEAM exceptional FF&E solutions. Custom furniture, precision joinery, and 3D New Build & Refurbishment Furniture and Joinery Specialist rendering—crafted for impact. With seamless project management From concept to completion, we design, manufacture, and deliver and full TALK TO OUR TEAM installation, we handle the so you can focus on thejoinery, bigSpecialist picture. exceptional FF&E solutions. Custom furniture, precision andFF&E 3D New Build to & Refurbishment Furniture and From concept completion, wedetails design, manufacture, and Joinery deliver exceptional rendering—crafted forprecision impact.joinery, With seamless project With management and full solutions. Custom furniture, and 3D rendering. seamless project TALK TO OUR TEAM management and full installation, we handle the can details so you can focus on the big installation, we handle the details so you focus on the big picture. From concept to completion, we design, manufacture, and deliver exceptional FF&E CUSTOMISABLE DESIGN PACKAGES SERVICES picture. solutions. Custom furniture, precision joinery, and 3D rendering. With seamless project TALK TO OUR TEAM • Furnitureand FF&E design concepts management full installation, we handle the details so you can focus on the big CUSTOMISABLE DESIGN PACKAGES Services SERVICES Our Customisable Design Packages picture. • 3D rendering and furniture overlays
Servicing Australia and Internationally
• Furniture FurnitureFF&E FF&E design concepts design • Custom furniture andconcepts joinery manufacturing Services • 3D 3DRendering rendering&and furniture overlays Furniture Overlays • Furniture Turnkey packages FF&E design concepts • Custom Customfurniture furniture and joinery manufacturing and joinery manufacture • 3D Project management Rendering & Furniture Overlays • Turnkey Turnkeypackages packages • Custom Inhousefurniture quality and control joinery manufacture • Project ProjectManagement management • Turnkey Freight packages and logistics management • Inhouse Inhousequality qualitycontrol control • Project Full installation services Management management • Freight Freightand andlogistics logistics management quality control • Inhouse Commercial warranties Full installation • Full installation services andAustralia logistics management • Freight Servicing and internationally Commercial warranties • Commercial warranties Full installation Servicing Australia and Internationally • Commercial Servicing Australia and internationally warranties
MODERN WOODEN KITCHEN SET
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FINISHES
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Our Customisable Design Packages
MINIMALIST LIVING ROOM SET
Dennis Clark (MDIA) CEO
MODERN WOODEN MINIMALIST LIVING Servicing Australia and Internationally KITCHEN SET ROOM SET MODERN WOODEN MINIMALIST LIVING Dennis Clark (MDIA) CEO KITCHEN SET ROOM SET 1300 876 055 (AU) • info@hotelinteriors.com.au • www.hotelinteriors.com.au
1300 055s(AU) nteriors.com.au www.hoteli nterioAccommodati rs.com.au on •Hotel876 s • Motel • Resorts• in•fo@hoteli Serviced Apartments • BTR •• Staff and Student •Hotels • Motels • Resorts • Serviced Apartments • BTR • Staff and Student Accommodation
Dennis Clark (MDIA) CEO
1300 876 055 (AU) | info@hotelinteriors.com.au | www.hotelinteriors.com.au HOTELS • MOTELS • RESORTS • SERVICED APARTMENTS • BTR • STAFF AND STUDENT ACCOMMODATION 1300 876 055 (AU) |
DENNIS CLARK CEO
info@hotelinteriors.com.au | www.hotelinteriors.com.au
HOTELS • MOTELS • RESORTS • SERVICED APARTMENTS • BTR • STAFF AND STUDENT ACCOMMODATION 1300 876 055 (AU) • info@hotelinteriors.com.au www.hotelinteriors.com.au •Hotels • Motels • Resorts • Serviced Apartments • BTR •• Staff and Student Accommodation
1300 876 055 (AU) | info@hotelinteriors.com.au | www.hotelinteriors.com.au HOTELS • MOTELS • RESORTS • SERVICED APARTMENTS • BTR • STAFF AND STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
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ON THE MARKET
RECENT SALES & LISTINGS
RESORTBROKERS’ 40-YEAR JOURNEY
SUCCESS STORY
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MANAGEMENT RIGHTS REPORT 2025
REGIONAL SNAPSHOT
BROKER INSIGHT
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Managing Director Trudy Crooks on where the accommodation property market is at.
REGULAR FEATURES
We unveil our fourth annual Management Rights Report, the industry’s definitive guide.
We showcase ResortBrokers’ latest settlements, deals and listings.
The market skinny from our Far North Queensland broker Leah Bursztynowicz.
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RESORTBROKERS IN THE NEWS We’ve been making news too!
A story four decades in the making. Enjoy this trip down memory lane of our incredible 40-year run.
Management rights priced correctly have the best chance of selling, writes our Brisbane broker Jeff Keast.
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We’ve been making connections, as we always do.
LET’S GET SOCIAL
Vivi Zhu and Leo Wang started with a modest motel lease. Now, they own one of the top hotels in Gippsland.
Meet our new brokers: Steven Styles in Townsville and Sarah Hutchins on NSW’s South Coast.
RELIEF MANAGERS
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WHAT’S COOL
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If you need a break, you’ll need a manager.
Director Tim Crooks checks out the world’s best hotels to see in/ out the New Year.
ResortBrokers’ national directory #weareeverywhere.
MEET OUR TEAM
ONWARD, UPWARD,
FORWARD. Welcome to our special Legacy Issue to round out ResortBrokers’ milestone 40th year.
IAN CROOKS, CHAIRMAN
Looking back on the 40 years since I started ResortBrokers, with little more than a smile on my face and a positive attitude, it’s very hard to argue against that tried and tested mantra …time flies! Where have the decades gone!
I still, to this day, remember talking my wife Karin into a move across the Tasman. “Let’s give it a year,” she said. If it had taken 40 years to make it work, I’d probably still be trying. Luckily, the commercial gods were shining on us, and we’ve gone from strength to strength to strength. What a journey it has been. And the really exciting part is that I genuinely think we’re only just getting started! ResortBrokers continues to build on that momentum. Having my children Trudy, Carla and Tim join the team and work their way through the ranks has added an energy and pragmatism that I could never have dreamed of.
PREFACE In typical ResortBrokers fashion, we celebrated our 40th anniversary with a monumental knees-up in Vietnam. I think the booking rep at the Sheraton in Da Nang nearly had a heart attack when we informed him we would need 87 rooms! But fill those rooms, we did!
Urban Leader Awards. The cherry on top was ResortBrokers placing as a finalist in the 2025 REIQ Awards for Excellence, the Queensland real estate industry’s Oscars. The votes were obviously miscounted, but the nomination was special in itself.
I’d like to personally thank our sponsors of that unforgettable event, especially the individuals behind the incredible businesses we’ve worked hand in hand with over the years: DC Adolphe Legal, Green Finance Group, Holmans, Hotel Interiors, Mahoneys, McAdam Siemon, Mike Phipps Finance, Milicevic Lawyers, and Spranklin Legal.
We’re truly honoured to receive these industry accolades, but they wouldn’t be possible without the trust and support of our wonderful staff and incredible clients. Our great thanks to each and every one of you. In keeping with our 40th birthday theme, our main story this issue is a trip down
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Des, already mentioned, as well as our Sunshine Coast senior mainstay broker, Glenn Millar. Des leaves us after 10 years, Russ after 15 years and Glenn after 20 years! All three have become like family to us, and we know many of you will be as sad as we are to see them go. We hope you enjoy our special tributes to these three ResortBrokers legends. While I’m on the topic of change, you may have noticed this edition of Informer is sporting a brand-new look. We’re very excited to start rolling out our refreshed brand identity. As a ‘non-artistic person’, the tireless effort behind processes like this always blows
WE’RE HONOURED TO RECEIVE THESE INDUSTRY ACCOLADES, BUT THEY WOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE TRUST AND SUPPORT OF OUR INCREDIBLE CLIENTS. OUR GREAT THANKS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. To cap off an incredible 40th year and make it all the more special, we’ve been recognised by the accommodation industry with a slew of awards and nominations over the last 12 months, all of which we are incredibly humbled to receive. In September, we maintained our dominance in the agency categories at ARAMA’s 2025 TOP Awards, the management rights industry’s ‘night of nights’, winning Sales Brokerage of the Year and Sales Broker of the Year (our great Sunshine Coast agent Chenoa Daniel). And what a night it was… well done, Trevor. Also, my son, Tim, won the real estate category in The Urban Developer’s 2025
‘WE ARE THE WORLD,’ USA FOR AFRICA
1985 #1 2025 SONG
‘APT,’ ROSÉ AND BRUNO MARS
memory lane: a timeline of ResortBrokers’ four-decade evolution. It brought back a flood of memories; I can tell you!
me away. All I can say is that we’ve come a long way since our early 2000s lime green branding!
The other thing it made me think of is the unstoppable march of time. In this edition of Informer, we’re delighted to welcome two new brokers. Steven Styles will fill the big shoes vacated by our great Townsville broker, Des Fagg (who’s retiring - we got you there eventually, Des). Also joining us officially as a broker is Sarah Hutchins, who’s been more than capably supporting our broker Russell Rogers (who’s also retiring) on the NSW South Coast since 2019. Welcome aboard, Steven and Sarah!
What makes this new branding so special to us is that it isn’t driven by trends but by our own lights. We took a step back and deconstructed who we are: what our brand means, what it stands for and how it should feel to us, our clients, our buyers and other stakeholders. From that, we built a brand identity that truly reflects ResortBrokers’ identity today.
As we welcome our new recruits, we must farewell three of our longest-serving brokers and great friends: Russ and
As this is our last issue for 2025, let me wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in 2026! END
BEVERLY HILLS COP
A COUNTRY PRACTICE
13.5%
$16,000+
#1 MOVIE
#1 TV SHOW
AVERAGE AVERAGE INTEREST RATE HOME DEPOSIT
PADDINGTON IN PERU
MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT
3.6%
$130,000+
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ON THE MARKET
CH-CH-CH-C Tightening yields and shifting metrics — turn to face the strange, writes Managing Director Trudy Crooks. buyers is reshaping how deals are done. There’s never been a more exciting time to be in the accommodation game.
TRUDY CROOKS MANAGING DIRECTOR I hope the Bowie reference got your attention, because it’s what I’m talking about in my column this edition: a changing accommodation property market. As regular readers of Informer will know, ResortBrokers turned 40 this year. The accommodation property market is hotter than ever, as hot as we’ve seen it in four decades of doing business. But I have no doubt we’re in a changing market and if you want to be a richer man or woman, then you’ve got to turn to face the strange, as the man sings. Rewind a bit. I sold my first motel 23 years ago when I was still at school. Back in those days, price appraisals for motels and hotels were relatively straightforward. (That’s why I could sell a motel after going to school to eat my lunch!). Past performance predicted pricing, yields were stable and buyers largely knew what to expect. Nowadays, this isn’t the case. Today, yields are tightening, pricing metrics are shifting and a new generation of
Across all motel and hotel operating models, yields have compressed dramatically in the last four years — a point ResortBrokers made in our first-ever Motel Report launched a few months ago. Quality freehold going concerns that once traded at 14–15% are now sitting between 9–10%. Regional assets that used to command 18–20% are now closer to 12–15%. Even in the last 18 months, 12% is hard to find. Leaseholds — long viewed as harder work but higher return — are now averaging around 25–27%, a full five points lower than a few years ago.
passive investments at or under 5% but these were in exceptional circumstances. One of the main consequences of this changing market has been the conversation our broker team is having right across the country with vendors and purchasers around metrics. One of the metrics traditionally used in our industry was per-key value, i.e. the total sale price divided by the number of rooms. As profits have surged and yields have compressed, per-key rates have significantly increased across the country. But as strong trade and buyer demand have continued, a property’s sustainability of profit now matters more than its per-key rate. A motel in Brisbane, for example, might generate the same profit as a larger regional property with twice as many rooms. That might look impressive on paper but raises a key question: how sustainable is that level of profitability? That said, the per-key rate as a metric hasn’t lost all relevance. Let’s just say, it’s a ‘moving’ metric. It can represent value from the sense of replacement
AMID THESE CHANGES, ONE TRUTH REMAINS: THE SUSTAINABILITY OF PROFIT IS THE ULTIMATE BENCHMARK. For passive investments, anything below 6.5% is now considered excellent. Between 7–8% is standard. That’s a striking change (that word again) from a time when 9–10% was the norm. I’m talking in general terms here. Of course, yields will vary by asset type and scale. In the last 12 months, ResortBrokers has sold three freehold
cost. But fundamentally it’s more about profitability than per-key. In today’s environment of rising costs, a tight yield can only be justified when the underlying P&L is robust, i.e., when staffing, maintenance and operating costs have been properly accounted for. If your net profit is genuine and sustainable, buyers will pay really tight yields.
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CH-CHANGES! There’s also growing confusion (if not a little deception) around how yields are calculated. The reality is that many deals include factors that distort the numbers, such as landlord-funded capital works or adjusted operating costs. That’s why headline figures like “6.25% yield” which we’ve seen promoted by other agencies (who shall remain nameless), should be treated cautiously. A seemingly tight yield may hide $2 million in deferred maintenance or refurbishment obligations a landlord has agreed to. With freehold investments and freehold going concerns there’s a lot of moving parts that impact yield. This is something buyers should be aware of. Regardless, the appetite for accommodation assets remains enormous. And the changing market is also bringing new players to the table. While syndication has long been common in management rights, it hasn’t yet entered the motel space. But that may be about to change. With values doubling in some markets over the past decade, the logical next step is portfolio building, i.e., rolling up multiple assets to achieve scale, efficiency and, ultimately, exit opportunities with institutional capital. If a handful of motel operators can combine assets and double their portfolio size within a year, they’ll be well-positioned for selling at huge multiples to large funds or groups. It hasn’t happened yet, but the conditions are ripe for it. Watch this space. There’s no denying that today’s accommodation property market is one of changes and contradictions. Yields are tightening, yet prices continue to rise. Per-key values have doubled, yet the metric itself is losing relevance. Amid these changes, one truth remains: the sustainability of profit is the ultimate benchmark. Not the number of rooms, not the per-key price, but the sustainability of profit. It all comes back to that. END
GLENN 'BIG BAND' MILLAR 20 YEARS
RUSSELL 'THE LOVE MUSCLE' ROGERS 15 YEARS
WE’LL MISS YOU, GENTS. RESPECT. I just want to echo what Ian said in his preface about our three retiring brokers: Glenn ‘Big Band’ Millar, Russell ‘The Love Muscle’ Rogers and Des ‘Desi’ Fagg.
Glenn and Russ really did an incredible job nurturing the next generation of brokers — Glenn with Alex and Chenoa, and Russ with Sarah. Glenn built our management rights business on the
DES ' DESI' FAGG 10 YEARS
Sunshine Coast from the ground up, turning it into a leading zone for us as an agency. He was also hugely supportive in the transition from Ian to ResortBrokers’ next generation of management: Tim, Carla and myself. When the second generation took the reins there was some hesitancy among many of the existing brokers who’d been at ResortBrokers a long time. Glenn was very supportive very quickly, and having his support won over the old guard. That meant a lot to me personally. Russ was a legend for getting us into the caravan park space — always first to market, always full of energy and such an enthusiast about everything. And Des — what can I say? He basically had his own column in the Townsville Bulletin because he did so many deals. Everyone trusted him, and he always delivered. All three are different in their own way, but they had one thing in common: they always put ResortBrokers’ clients first and gave their all to get them the best results. We’ll miss you, gents. Respect.
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ON THE MARKET
SIX OF
THE BEST Hand-picked by Managing Director Trudy Crooks
HOTEL BELLINZONA DAYLESFORD, VIC
ResortBrokers launched a dynamic campaign to market this 43-key, ultra-luxe freehold hotel in Australia’s spa capital — truly one of regional Victoria’s accommodation jewels. Our strategy combined a targeted outreach to key buyers and a high-impact PR blitz, which secured extensive media coverage including a feature on leading commercial real estate site Green Street News. The results spoke for themselves: 75 enquiries, four inspections and multiple offers. The successful purchaser was Travel + Leisure Co., the world’s leading vacation ownership company. This marked ResortBrokers’ second sale to Travel + Leisure this year, following the 48-key Castaways Resort & Spa in Mission Beach, Far North Queensland. Importantly, ResortBrokers achieved what others could not — selling Hotel Bellinzona after it had previously been listed unsuccessfully with another agency. Hugh Thomas M: 0420 996 319
POINTS NORTH APARTMENTS COOLANGATTA, QLD
ULTIQA Hotels & Resorts — one of the Gold Coast’s leading corporate operators and a long-standing ResortBrokers’ client — secured the management rights to this iconic 140-apartment holiday complex directly opposite Coolangatta Beach, outbidding three competing offers. ResortBrokers continues to achieve outstanding results for our clients by investing time in building genuine, long-term relationships with trusted buyers like ULTIQA. Our partnership with ULTIQA spans many years, including Todd’s 2023 sale of the 110-unit Burleigh Mediterranean Resort, one of the largest management rights sales ever transacted on the Gold Coast. Todd Warner M: 0438 170 763
ALPHA CANBERRA HOTEL & APARTMENTS CANBERRA, ACT
Accommodation assets in our nation’s capital are tightly held, so we anticipated huge interest in this 100-key, four-star freehold hotel, located about 20 minutes south of Parliament House. We weren’t disappointed — the campaign attracted around 150 enquiries, leading to multiple inspections and competitive offers. The successful purchaser, Geocon — Australia’s fastest-growing property development company and Canberra’s largest — will operate the property under its hotels division and rebrand it as Abode Tuggeranong, adding to its expanding portfolio. Props to our long-time broker, Russell Rogers, who’s retiring after 15 years with us. Great to see one of our best go out with a bang! Russell Rogers M: 0416 166 909 Sarah Hutchins M: 0407 020 443
BUDGET MOTEL MIDLAND PERTH, WA
We achieved full asking price — from a cash buyer — for this solid 32-room freehold going concern in Perth’s eastern suburbs. The purchaser, an experienced motelier, had been seeking a second Perth property that met very specific investment criteria — Budget Motel Midland was the perfect match. The motel market is red hot right across the country at the moment, with this campaign attracting more than 40 enquiries and multiple offers. ResortBrokers has the most qualified buyer database in the accommodation property industry. It’s a network of people we’ve personally engaged with to understand exactly what they’re looking for in an asset. Our tailored marketing campaigns ensure the right buyers see the right opportunities, as we did here with this sale for a very happy vendor who had entrusted us with bringing their asset to market for the first time in 17 years. Blair Macdonald: 0433 149 144
QUEST NOWRA & QUEST MAITLAND NOWRA & MAITLAND, NSW
Sold and sold! These two exceptional Quest businesses were sold by the leading apartment hotel broker in the country — ResortBrokers’ own Jacqueline Featherby. The sales mark Jac’s ninth and tenth Quest transactions since joining ResortBrokers in 2019. Both campaigns attracted very strong interest, with more than 60 enquiries per property. The 49-key Quest Maitland generated nine inspections and seven offers, while the 81-key Quest Nowra achieved three inspections and three offers. Both properties were acquired by experienced franchisees from outside the accommodation sector, each embarking on their first Quest venture. These results highlight the power of ResortBrokers’ national buyer network, which consistently connects the right opportunities with the right people. As Quest’s preferred agency for more than a decade, we know just how strong these businesses are — and no one understands that better than Jac. Jacqueline Featherby M: 0424 497 056
A SELLING AGENCY, NOT A LISTING AGENCY ResortBrokers is a selling agency, not a listing agency. In the last decade, we’ve settled over 2,000 accommodation asset sales across the country, a volume unrivalled by any other agency in the sector.
We also lead the sector for minimising the difference between list and final sale prices. RB Research has quantified ResortBrokers’ edge over its competitors as per the graph below. MEDIAN VENDOR DISCOUNT RESORTBROKERS VS COMPETITORS 0%
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STAY CONNECTED
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Whether you’re buying or selling, handover day is a time of exciting new starts. Here are some of our recent settlements with our great sellers and buyers, and our brokers around the country who’ve connected them. #resortbrokersconnects
Quest Maitland. Broker (right): Jacqueline Featherby, Central Coast NSW
Ranch Motel. Broker (left): Sarah Hutchins, South Coast NSW Central Motel Port Fairy. Broker (left): Hugh Thomas, West Victoria
Eastern Sands Motel. Broker (right): Hugh Thomas, West Victoria
Tullah Lakeside Lodge. Broker (middle): Marissa von Stieglitz, Tasmania
Getaway on Grafton. Broker (second from right): Leah Bursztynowicz, Far North Queensland
RESORTBROKERS IN THE NEWS
RESORTBROKERS IN THE NEWS 13
MANAGEMENT RIGHTS REPORT 2025 Now in its fourth edition, RB Research’s Management Rights Report has established itself as the definitive benchmark for Australia’s management rights industry and remains the only quantitative analysis of its kind. Management Rights Report 2025 is a must-read for management rights operators, strata managers, industry bodies and investors looking to gain a greater understanding of this multi-billion-dollar industry. Key content in the report includes: • Recent trends in the MR sector • An industry outlook for the year ahead • A national market overview • Regional overviews of significant MR markets • Ranges and averages of recent multipliers/ROIs • Case studies of landmark MR sales
COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW TO VIEW THE REPORT TODAY. View Report
resortbrokers.com.au/mr-report/
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1MANAGEMENT DAY.RIGHTS 2 EVENTS. 250 ATTENDEES. REPORT LAUNCH & MASTERING MANAGEMENT RIGHTS EVENTS
16 SALES ACTIVITY
OUR TOP We’ve been experiencing exceptionally high demand across all accommodation asset classes. Here’s a selection of some of our best recent sales and listings.
SALES & LISTINGS
SETTLED
THE SEBEL MELBOURNE MALVERN MELBOURNE, VIC
We sold the management rights to this prestigious 4.5-star, 326-key Sebelbranded serviced apartment hotel in Malvern East to a highly experienced operator with several years’ experience managing large-scale, high-rise buildings in Melbourne. Tim Crooks M: 0422 208 450 Alex Cook M: 0467 600 610
SETTLED
PORT GREGORY CARAVAN PARKLODGE PORT GREGORY, WA
After sitting on the market with another agency for over a year, we successfully achieved a sale at very close to full asking price for this 75-site freehold park in coastal Port Gregory. The campaign generated strong demand with over 90 enquiries, ultimately resulting in a sale to a buyer who had recently purchased a freehold motel in nearby Kalbarri. They recognised this property as a great opportunity to expand their accommodation portfolio with a high-performing park in a prime coastal location. Blair Macdonald M: 0433 149 144
UNDER OFFER
IPSWICH CITY COUNTRY MOTEL IPSWICH, QLD
Located in Queensland’s fastest growing city, only 25 km from Brisbane, this 44-key freehold motel has been an Ipswich mainstay for almost 40 years and is perfectly positioned to capitalise on the city’s resurgence as a major economic centre in South East Queensland. Interested? Call our MD, who’s handling this one personally. Trudy Crooks M: 0477 882 210
SETTLED
CHELSEA APARTMENTS BRISBANE, QLD
We sold the management rights to this 195-apartment permanent-letting complex in Bowen Hills to a highly experienced multi-owner of management rights across Brisbane who was looking for a high-net, large-scale business to add to their portfolio. With a net profit over $630K and agreements topped up to the 25-year maximum, Chelsea Apartments was a great fit. Jeff Keast M: 0414 669 007 Alex Cook M: 0467 600 610
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COOBER PEDY EXPERIENCE MOTEL COOBER PEDY, SA
This former opal mine turned 16-key motel became a minor media sensation as soon as we listed it, with coverage in The Advertiser, Domain.com.au and even ABC Radio. Contact our local agent, Kelli, if you want to buy this rock-solid motel (boom boom!). Kelli Crouch M: 0410 441 750
SETTLED
KORORA BAY VILLAGE RESORT COFFS HARBOUR, NSW UNDER OFFER
MIHAVEN LIVING CAIRNS, QLD
ResortBrokers achieved a sale where others couldn’t — this portfolio was previously listed with another agency without success. Now under offer with a large hospitality group, this thriving freehold portfolio, totalling 131 rooms across three sites in the city centre, dominates Cairns’ student and transient accommodation market. Leah Bursztynowicz M: 0468 918 250
SETTLED
HIGH STREET PORTFOLIO SIPPY DOWNS, QLD
Sold for one of our regular clients, Belmo Group (formerly Prestige Residential), this premium management rights portfolio, one of the largest on the Sunshine Coast, offered a high net profit exceeding $1.1 million. The buyer was an experienced operator who owns management rights in the Northern Rivers hotspot of Yamba. This sale set a new benchmark for the region and highlights the ongoing strength of the Sunshine Coast’s management rights industry — and the expertise of our local broker, Chenoa, who is ARAMA’s Sales Broker of the Year for 2025. Chenoa Daniel M: 0403 143 151
ResortBrokers sold this 22-apartment, 4-star freehold resort with no financials as it had previously run as a timeshare with little external letting. We achieved a great result for our client, who entrusted us with taking this asset to market for the first time in over 20 years, by selling to a highly sophisticated multi-owner who saw the upside of a resort of this calibre in a prime tourist location. ResortBrokers is uniquely qualified to manage the complexities in marketing and selling assets like Korora Bay Village Resort, particularly where the winding up of a timeshare scheme is involved. Joshua Roberts M: 0439 654 464
18 SALES ACTIVITY SETTLED
TULLAH LAKESIDE LODGE TULLAH, TASMANIA
We sold this 67-key leasehold motel in Tasmania’s West Coast region for almost 20% above asking price! Huge demand — 100+ enquiries in just six weeks — resulting in five strong offers from experienced operators. Our ultimate buyer owns a roadhouse in the NT, and is familiar with remote locations and F&B operations. Marissa von Stieglitz M: 0437 198 164
SETTLED
CITY LIGHTS MOTEL TWEED HEADS, NSW
ResortBrokers was initially approached by the lessee of this 20-key motel across from the Tweed River. After talking with the landlord, both parties agreed to merge their interests for sale as a freehold going concern, achieving well above our client’s desired outcome. In appropriate cases, ResortBrokers is recommending to landlords and tenants that a unified sale of their different interests will deliver better financial outcomes for both parties than if they sold their interests separately, as was the case here. We received 45 enquiries for this listing, generating six competitive offers, ultimately selling to a local operator who owns several motels in the region. Miguel Bozina M: 0419 848 444
SETTLED
COUNTRY CITY MOTOR INN HORSHAM, VIC
Yet another example of a fast-moving motel market! We received over 70 enquiries for this 15-key freehold motel, resulting in a quick sale for a tight yield of sub 11% — a great result for our client. We’re grateful to our vendor for entrusting us with bringing this asset to market for the first time in over 16 years. Hugh Thomas M: 0420 996 319
LISTED
QUEST CHERMSIDE & QUEST CHERMSIDE ON PLAYFIELD BRISBANE, QLD
Offered to market for purchase in one line, the 54-key Quest Chermside and 78-key Quest Chermside on Playfield provide an unrivalled opportunity for an operator to dominate the apartment hotel market in Brisbane’s northern growth corridor with the backing of Australia’s leading apartment hotel brand. Keen? Give us a call. Nathan Benjamin M: 0459 955 649
19 SETTLED
NEWELL MOTOR INN NARRANDERA, NSW
We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again — demand for regional motels is hot, hot, hot! We received 84 enquiries for this 23-key freehold motel, ultimately selling to a buyer who was looking for opportunities right across Australia. Chris Kelly M: 0431 055 221
SETTLED
SPA VILLAGE TRAVEL INN MOREE, NSW
We had this 52-key freehold motel under contract within just two weeks! Our buyer owns another freehold motel in the region and plans to operate Spa Village Travel Inn under management. Our listing attracted 76 enquiries and seven inspections, with multiple buyers missing out. In today’s motel market, opportunities like this move very quickly — and so should you if you want in on the action. David Faiers M: 0432 766 788 Nathan Benjamin M: 0459 955 649
UNDER OFFER
QUEST SALE SALE, VIC
ResortBrokers is the market-leading agency for Quest sales across Australia. We sell Quests of all types, including freehold passive investments like this 35-apartment hotel in Victoria’s high-growth Gippsland region. Huge demand as you’d expect — 62 enquiries, generating eight inspections and three competitive offers. Ultimately, we achieved an 8.5% yield, very close to asking price for our vendor who developed the property and entrusted us to bring it to market for the first time after 18 years of ownership. The buyer was an experienced accommodation owner who was seeking a high-quality passive investment to complement their portfolio — Quest Sale fit the bill. Chris Boschetti M: 0428 812 434
UNDER OFFER
PENINSULA BOUTIQUE HOTEL PORT DOUGLAS PORT DOUGLAS, QLD
ResortBrokers has now sold these management rights three times. In 2019, we placed regional accommodation fund Mandala into this 4.5-star, 34-suite Port Douglas pearl along Four Mile Beach. After a great run, Mandala once again turned to us to manage their exit as they recalibrate their portfolio. These management rights are now under offer to a syndicate of experienced operators we were able to bring together. ResortBrokers often connects people we meet on our travels who we believe will work well together — pairing high-performing managers with a proven track record in large-scale resort operations but limited access to capital, with seasoned investors keen to enter the sector without taking on the dayto-day management. It’s in these collaborations that we’re seeing powerful synergies emerge, especially in premium markets like Port Douglas, where returns are strong and opportunities like this are rare. Leah Bursztynowicz M: 0468 918 250
20 MAIN FEATURE
THE RESORTBROKERS’
REVOLUTION
ResortBrokers’ story is 40 years in the making … and its wheels just keep on turning.
- First office opens at Station Road (Indooroopilly). - Team grows to become one of the biggest accommodation brokerage firms in the country.
- Pioneers the motel leasehold model, revolutionising the industry.
- Management rights division launched. - Gold Coast office opens. - The "recession we had to have." - Sales softened, but ResortBrokers endures.
- International expansion: Hotel sales in Fiji & Vanuatu. - Noosa office opens.
1998–99
1995–96
- Trudy Crooks joins as an 'office junior.'
1994
- Ian moves his family to Brisbane from New Zealand and establishes ResortBrokers (1 Oct).
1992–94
- Biggest deal in the '80s, Cairns Village Resort $14.25M.
1990–91
1985
1988
- Sydney office opens.
21
C
ZEBRA MOTOR INN
- January 2011, Carla and Alex join ResortBrokers after 10 years in London.
- Western Australia office opens. - Tasmania office opens.
2014
- RB Communications Department established headed by Catie Langdon to strengthen client and industry engagement.
- Major company growth. - Victoria office opens.
- Growth across all states.
2012
2005–08
- Knotts Crossing sale $11.4M
2010–11
- November, Trudy returns from London after 10 successful years with London's biggest resi agency.
2013
- New HQ opens at 362 Montague Rd, Brisbane.
- March 2011, Marissa von Stieglitz starts as an accounts clerk.
- ResortBrokers launches Informer magazine.
2003
2001–02
- Trudy Crooks sells first motel. Zebra Motor Inn.
- First Quest franchise sold and first caravan park sales. - GFC slowdown.
- Marketing Department expands, driving ResortBrokers’ strong national brand presence.
WYLAND CARAVAN PARK, NSW
QUEST SOUTH YARRA MEWS, VIC
RESORTBROKERS REVOLUTION
22 MAIN FEATURE
- Record hotel & management rights sales. - Launch of Hotels Division.
- South Austalia office opened. - Marissa von Stieglitz becomes Operations Manager. - Major transactions Art Series Hotel Portfolio $52.5M & FV by Peppers $28M.
2019–20
2020–23
2017
- Sold Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel for $55M.
2015–17
2015
- Sebel Launceston sells for $9.77M.
2019–CURRENT
- Record-breaking transaction Soul Surfers Paradise $25.7M sold to Mantra.
- Most viewed website in the accommodation property industry.
2018–CURRENT
- Most listings in Australia for a single brokerage.
WINNER 2020-2023 THE ONSITE MANAGER TOP AGENCY (RESORTBROKERS)
- Highest volume of sales in the country.
2020–CURRENT
- Changing of the guard Second-generation leadership (Trudy Crooks becomes Managing Director and Ian Crooks moves to Chairman).
WINNER
WINNER
2022 ARAMA AWARDS SALES BROKER OF THE YEAR (CHENOA DANIEL)
2024 ARAMA TOP AWARDS SALES BROKER OF THE YEAR (JESSIE SHI)
FINALIST
23
FINALIST
2022 PRET AUSTRALIA TOP AGENT (JESSIE SHI)
WINNER
2024 REIQ AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE COMMERCIAL SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR (ALEX COOK & TODD WARNER)
2022 ARAMA TOP AWARDS SALES BROKER OF THE YEAR (JESSIE SHI)
2025 ARAMA TOP AWARDS SALES BROKERAGE OF THE YEAR (RESORTBROKERS) 2025 ARAMA TOP AWARDS BROKER OF THE YEAR (CHENOA DANIEL)
- Launch of RB Radio. - Alex Cook appointed Director of ARAMA (Australian Resident Accommodation Managers Association) - first broker to ever be appointed to the board.
- Launch of RB Plus.
2025 THE URBAN DEVELOPER URBAN LEADER AWARDS REAL ESTATE CATEGORY (TIM CROOKS)
- Largest number of specialist accommodation brokers in Australia.
2025 REIQ AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL AGENCY OF THE YEAR (RESORTBROKERS)
2025
2023
2021–22
2022
2024
FINALIST
- Launch of ResortBrokers AI (RAI), integrating AI into business systems and broker support.
- Launch of RB Research. - First Management Rights Report.
- Achieves over half a billion dollars in transactions for FY25. - Launch of RB Connect events division.
- Colonial Tweed Holiday and Home Park sells for $13.8M.
- Motel Report released. - ResortBrokers celebrates 40 years in Danang, Vietnam.
- Barkly Homestead sells for $14M at Tennant Creek NT.
WINNER 2023 REIQ AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE COMMERCIAL SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR (ALEX COOK) 2023 ARAMA TOP AWARDS SALES BROKER OF THE YEAR (ALEX COOK)
Record Per Key Rate Queen's Wharf Residences, the only residential tower directly connected to the $3.6B Integrated Resort Development.
2023 ARAMA TOP AWARDS LIFE MEMBER (IAN CROOKS) 2023 PRET AUSTRALIA TOP AGENT (JESSIE SHI)
RESORTBROKERS REVOLUTION
24 SPECIAL FEATURE_MANAGEMENT RIGHTS INDUSTRY
ALL GOOD THINGS … After a stellar 20-year career with ResortBrokers, Glenn Millar — our longest-serving broker and a veritable institution in the management rights industry — is retiring. Read Glenn’s farewell missive below.
GLENN MILLAR SENIOR BROKER, SUNSHINE COAST It is with trepidation that after 20 years with ResortBrokers, and 55 years in the workforce, I call time on a great career. It’s time to “go smell the roses” and spend more time with my wife, son and his partner and the grandkids. I’d firstly like to thank Ian, Trudy, Tim, Carla and Alex and all the ResortBrokers’ team for putting up with me for the past 20 years. It’s been a wild ride at times through the good, the bad and the ugly. The journey began on 27 April 2005 after a throwaway comment I made to a ResortBrokers’ agent to whom I’d referred a couple of leads from my contacts in the hotel industry. I said, “Rather than give you leads, I should work for ResortBrokers.” Following a meeting with the then principal of ResortBrokers’ Sunshine Coast team, I quit my job and took the plunge into the uncertain world of commission-only sales. When I joined ResortBrokers there were three brokers covering the Sunshine Coast —I became the fourth. After two weeks in the role, two of the three were shown the door. That left me (the rookie) and Steve Dawson, ResortBrokers’ man on the ground on the Sunny Coast. Talk about a baptism of fire.
One of the first things I was told was to not take a listing for the sake of building your book. However, that quickly when out the window. Against better advice, I listed several management rights that were wildly overpriced, full of problems and more. Lesson learnt. I never fell into that trap again. Being a commission-only salesperson, you must back yourself and keep the faith. It took 11 months before I made my first management rights sale: Colonial Resort in Noosaville. Since 2005, the change I’ve seen in the industry has been phenomenal. Even with the shock of the GFC, Covid and other lean years, the industry has grown from strength to strength. The major difference is in the value of assets. In 2005, the average price of a manager’s unit was around $400,000. Now, it’s more like $1 million. Also, committees have become more involved in the sales process and settlement timeframes have doubled. In 2006, I was awarded ResortBrokers’ Rookie of the Year, and I recall a comment from one of our associates that at 51 years of age I must be the oldest rookie around! Over the next decade through networking and relationship building I was able to build up a pool of loyal clients, some who stayed with me over numerous sales, many for over a decade or more. From 2007, I was fortunate to win numerous ResortBrokers’ awards, including Top Management Rights Broker in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2023. In 2023, along with fellow broker Chenoa Daniel, we set a new Sunshine
Coast management rights record with the sale of Oceans Mooloolaba Beach for $11.2 million. My other notable sales, again with my colleague Chenoa, include Maison Noosa, On the Beach Noosa, The Rise Noosa, Tingirana Noosa, Breeze Mooloolaba, Number One in Hastings Street Noosa and Rumba Beach Resort (Caloundra). While I predominately covered the Sunshine Coast, I’ve been involved in some of the largest management rights and freehold hotel sales throughout Australia. With Alex Cook, I sold the management rights to Soul Surfers Paradise to Mantra Group for a then-record price of $27.5 million. Another record deal was the $12.5 million sale of a 64-unit freehold hotel, now Sebel West Perth, to a Singaporean investor, and the sale of the 128-unit Peppers Pier Resort, which became Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa, to hospitality giant Minor International. My Western Australia sales of note are The Frangipani Broome to Mantra Group and Sanctuary Resort Broome to Minor Hotels (Oaks). I was also fortunate to sell three management rights businesses in Mandurah to Victoria-based Saltwater Properties, as well as Broome Beach Resort, The Billi Resort (Broome) and Karratha Central Apartments in conjunction with our WA maestro Blair Macdonald. My last sale of note was a conjunction with fellow ResortBrokers’ stalwart Russell Rogers, being the rights to the 160-key Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa to Minor Hotels.
If I can pass on any advice to younger brokers from my time in the field, it’s the critical importance of developing, nurturing and maintaining strong relationships with your clients. I know ResortBrokers’ supremo Ian Crooks will second this as he’s the champion at it. You need to be able to identify career buyers from one-off punters and build a strong, lasting relationship with them based on mutual trust. I can’t stress this enough. To illustrate this, over the past 20 years I’ve been fortunate to settle a smidge under half a billion dollars in management rights sales, but $93 million of that total was with just three buyers, and these were individuals not corporates or consortiums. There’s plenty more examples I could quote. To highlight this, I’m still in contact with two of these individuals. The third sadly passed away a few months ago, but because of the enduring relationship I built with him and his family, with Chenoa I’ve sold four management rights to his daughter and son-in-law, with more to come. Corporates change key staff, and you can lose the relationship. Consortiums are fine, but when they do sell there’s many moving parts. It’s individuals that are the key to long-term relationships. Thanks to all those who supported me over the last 20 years, including ResortBrokers’ fabulous HQ team and many great associates — finance brokers, lawyers, accountants (sometimes) and, yes, even valuers — for making a difficult ride a lot easier! Au revoir, mes amis. END
“IF I CAN PASS ON ANY ADVICE TO YOUNGER BROKERS FROM MY TIME IN THE FIELD, IT’S THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING, NURTURING AND MAINTAINING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR CLIENTS.”
IPSWICH CITY COUNTRY MOTEL
RIDE SEQ’S POWERHOUSE GROWTH WITH THIS SOLID 44-KEY GOING CONCERN MOTEL Significant investment, substantial new housing and a population explosion have made Ipswich the fastest developing city in Queensland. If you want in on South East Queensland’s explosive growth, this superbly presented 44-key motel is the perfect opportunity. Solidly trading for almost 40 years, Ipswich City Country Motel posted a net profit of more than $2.26 million in FY25 after management costs, making this a rare opportunity to earn the returns of a going concern motel with the workload of an investment property. The motel’s outstanding financial performance is underpinned by exceptional occupancy over 80%, some 5–8% higher than the Ipswich standard. The motel is being offered for sale either as a freehold going concern or as a freehold investment with a tenant ready to lease.
TRUDY CROOKS MANAGING DIRECTOR trudy@resortbrokers.com.au 0477 882 210
IPSWICH, QLD MOTEL
Price
• Superbly presented 44-key motel in Queensland’s fastest-growing city
Property Type
• FY25 net profit over $2.26M after management costs
Rooms
44
Price*
$15,500,000
Listing Reference
INV008910
$21,000,000
Listing Reference
FH008936 Freehold Going Concern
• Solidly trading for approx. 40 years with year-on-year increases • Generously sized rooms with a wide range of configurations • Assignable DA for 9 extra cabins, to take advantage of soaring demand
Property Type
• 80% occupancy justifies expansion • Strong midweek corporate trade and weekend leisure trade
Rent
• Excellent OTA ratings across all major platforms
*Price includes $500,000 for DA land for 9 extra cabins
Freehold Passive Investment $1,050,000
VIEW MORE AT RESORTBROKERS.COM.AU
QUEST CHERMSIDE & QUEST CHERMSIDE ON PLAYFIELD
THE PERFECT PAIRING — TWO QUEST HOTELS IN PRIME BRISBANE CITY FRINGE LOCATION The 132-key Quest Chermside portfolio is an unrivalled opportunity for a savvy operator to dominate the apartment hotel market in Brisbane’s inner-north.
BRISBANE, QLD HOTELS
Offered for purchase in one line or as individual franchises, the 54-key Quest Chermside and 78-key Quest Chermside on Playfield are first-rate accommodation businesses in prime Brisbane city fringe locations only 10 km from the CBD.
• 132 total keys across Brisbane’s inner-north
These properties are exceptional performers, both exceeding the Brisbane hotel market occupancy average as per STR data. The hotels’ crossover appeal to both corporate and leisure guests ensures stable income streams and ongoing adaptation as South East Queensland continues to power ahead as one of Australia’s fastest-developing regions.
NATHAN BENJAMIN SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, BRISBANE nathanb@resortbrokers.com.au 0459 955 649
Price
$6,960,000
Net Profit
$2,236,294
Turnover
$8,407,628
• Rare scale, market dominance opportunity
Listing Reference
LH008312
• $2.2 million+ net operating profit
Property Type
Leasehold
• Occupancy rates exceeding Brisbane benchmarks
Rooms
• 2 x Quest leaseholds offered in one line
132
• Long-term leases with strong WALE security • Prime location near Westfield Chermside and BNE airport • Balanced corporate and leisure demand profile • Proven resilience and trading performance
VIEW MORE AT RESORTBROKERS.COM.AU
28 SUCCESS STORY
BUILDING ON SUCCESS Vivi Zhu and Leo Wang started with a modest motel in Nagambie. Now, they own one of the top hotels in Gippsland.
Words_John Millar
accountant, during the day. After the couple had their first child, they hardly saw one another. Vivi’s mother helped with babysitting because the couple were working so hard to get established. Vivi Zhu and Leo Wang share both a life together and a marriage of talents. The couple moved to Australia from Suzhou, west of Shanghai, in 2009 to study: Vivi at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School; Leo at Deakin University for a Master of Professional Accounting. After the couple graduated they moved to Daylesford, Australia’s spa capital, to work at the Lake House, a boutique hotel on Lake Daylesford. They learned much about operating an accommodation business, but the working arrangement was far from ideal. Vivi and Leo were ships passing in the night. Vivi, specialising in food and beverage, worked nights. Leo, an
at hotel management school. Leo is an accountant though, he can’t do F&B, so that ruled out running a restaurant. But we could both do accommodation.”
“By that time, I suppose we felt we’d had enough working for other people,” says Vivi. “We realised we could do something that combined our skills sets. That’s how we came to look at hospitality. Working at Lake House gave me a deep understanding of customer service, guest engagement, quality control … all the skills to operate a hotel, combined with what I learned
“THREE BASIC RULES: DELIVER EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUILD STRONG GUEST RELATIONSHIPS AND MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS.” The couple started looking at motels and hotels within two hours’ drive of Ballarat, where they were living at that time. Their search was a long one, spanning 18 months and inspecting more than a dozen properties. “We conducted extensive research and carefully looked at each opportunity individually,” says Vivi. “With each one you learn something new. I think I became a very qualified accountant after I’d seen the profit and loss statements for all these properties!” Finances were crucial to the couple’s decision-making, but so too was instinct. “First impression is extremely important,” says Vivi.
30 SUCCESS STORY “I always ask myself, ‘If I were the customer, would I be happy to stay here?’ That is the first question I consider when inspecting a property.” The couple’s search ultimately led them to the 18-key Nagambie Motor Inn, whose freehold going concern was for sale. The property was only 90 minutes’ drive from Melbourne. More importantly, it passed Vivi’s first-impression test. The couple were also attracted by the motel’s low occupancy, which was then in the doldrums, hovering around 30%.
“We felt we’d already challenged ourselves to make it high end,” says Vivi. “We couldn’t make big progress anymore. That’s why we thought if we could sell Nagambie, we could buy something bigger. We thought we were ready for that.”
“We believed it had significant potential to increase revenue,” she says. “For a country motel, a 30% occupancy rate is exceptionally low.” The couple set to work turning the motel’s fortunes around. Vivi says the couple applied three basic rules. “First, deliver excellent customer service — always with a smile,” she says. “Second, build up strong relationships with guests so they choose to stay with you whenever they’re in town. Third, maintain high standards in cleaning, bedding, television and amenities. We invested a great deal of time, money and effort into all these areas.”
“AFTER TURNING NAGAMBIE MOTOR INN AROUND, WE THOUGHT WE WERE READY FOR SOMETHING BIGGER.” By the time the couple sold Nagambie Motor Inn (through ResortBrokers’ agent Jacqueline Featherby) seven and a half years later, they had succeeded in increasing occupancy to an incredible 85%. Having achieved what they had set out to do, the couple thought they couldn’t take the motel much further.
Now with two children in tow, the couple were also motivated to move to Melbourne where primary education was better. The family settled in Croydon Hills in east Melbourne, buying a house and establishing their children at local schools. “In the beginning, we were looking at accommodation properties in surrounding areas, so we considered Beaconsfield, Doncaster and the Mornington Peninsula,” says Vivi. Ultimately, their search led them to Mansi on Raymond, an award-winning 36-key independent hotel in Sale, Gippsland, about 2.5 hours’ drive from their home in Melbourne. The couple were introduced to the property by ResortBrokers’ agent Chris Boschetti.
Mansi on Raymond was exactly what the couple were looking for: a freehold going concern with double the number of keys than Nagambie Motor Inn, predominantly corporate trade and a stellar reputation. “At first, we believed the price was completely beyond our reach, but thanks to our finance broker, she made it possible for us,” says Vivi.
31
were hands-on operators. Now, with two children and wanting to be more present as they grew up, the couple decided to employ two fulltime managers at Mansi: one on reception, the other in charge of housekeeping. That way, the couple could maintain their life in Melbourne.
“When we arrived, we were amazed at what the vendors had done … the quality of the buildings, the layout and how well the rooms were maintained. The guest rooms were nearly 10 years old but looked only three to five years old.” “We knew Mansi would be a major step forward for us. It was completely different from the business we had before. It didn’t feel like a typical hotel or motel, it felt more like an estate.” Having worked at the Lake House in Daylesford, the couple also understood the appeal of mineral water baths in a hotel as a major occupancy driver. “When we saw Mansi had huge potential for that, we thought we could attract locals as well as clients from Melbourne for the spa thing.” Mansi also suited the couple’s stage in life. At Nagambie Motor Inn they
“OUR VISION FOR MANSI IS TO ESTABLISH IT AS A LANDMARK IN SALE.” “For Nagambie, we were living onsite, the kids were staying with us,” says Vivi.
to be there on weekends and can spend more time with my children,” says Vivi.
“We could commit 100% of our time and effort to run it. But for Mansi, we have managers, so we have more time at home. It’s less stress and a better work-life balance. Our kids are older now and have a lot of school activities that require parents participating in events. Now, we’re able to manage it.”
The couple has grand designs for Mansi. The hotel has 36 regular rooms, which are full throughout the week with corporate trade. But there’s demand for more.
Mansi is not completely hands-off for the couple. Leo is there Monday to Friday, and Vivi is there every other week. “We learned that Sale is a different kind of guest market. Unless there’s a wedding, there isn’t much leisure trade. Monday through Thursday is busy, but Friday through Sunday is quiet. That actually suits us. It means I don’t have
“Our major plan for Mansi is to expand the number of rooms for corporate guests,” says Vivi. “We also want to develop something similar to Hepburn Springs — a large swimming-pool-style mineral bath with accommodation alongside it. Our goal is to enhance the property to attract more leisure guests and draw visitors from Melbourne.” “That’s our vision for Mansi. We aim to establish it as a landmark in Sale — a place leisure visitors immediately recognise for its high standard of service.” END
32 REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT_FAR NORTH QLD
Our local broker Leah Bursztynowicz talks about her incredible first year — and how the market is looking.
WHAT’S DRIVING DEMAND, LEAH?
LEAH BURSZTYNOWICZ BROKER, FAR NORTH QLD Our Far North Queensland broker Leah has had an exceptional first year. She’s listed over $40 million worth of accommodation assets across Far North Queensland and settled some major deals. Her two largest were the freehold going concerns of the 81-key Cairns Queens Court to Sydney-based Quay Wholesale Fund Services for over $10 million and the 48-key Mission Beach icon Castaways Resort & Spa to Travel + Leisure Co., the world’s leading vacation ownership company. Leah has sold right across the price and asset spectrum, including the management rights to the 17-unit Saltwater Luxury Apartments in Port Douglas and 35-unit Trinity Beach Club, near her Cairns’ home. How’s the market shaping up? We ask her that and more in this Q&A.
The underlying driver for most buyers is clear: regional markets consistently deliver significantly higher returns than metro areas. The word has spread, and buyers now recognise that the returns achievable in North Queensland simply can’t be matched in the major cities. In the freehold going concern space, buyers are securing properties on significantly stronger yields than those available in the metro markets. When you compare the returns to what you’d typically see in Brisbane or along the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, it’s easy to understand why investors recognise such strong value in this region. For example, one of my clients sold all of his management rights in Brisbane and relocated his entire business to North Queensland. ResortBrokers sold his portfolio in Brisbane, and after securing a strong deal on a management rights business up here, he’s now actively looking for more. In this region, you can often secure management rights with returns exceeding 23%, meaning investors can recover their initial outlay far more quickly than in the metro markets. Try finding another investment that delivers returns like this… I’ll wait.
LEAH’S INCREDIBLE FIRST YEAR!
TRAVELLIN CAIRNS QUEENS COURT CAIRNS
WHAT ARE BUYERS LOOKING FOR? We’re seeing a lot of mum-and-dad buyers, particularly in management rights, chasing a sea change up here. Many are from down south, people who’ve holidayed in Port Douglas or Cairns, fallen in love with the lifestyle and decided they’d like to relocate and ‘buy themselves a job.’ I’ve come across that scenario countless times. And it makes sense: the buying is good, the returns are strong and the lifestyle is hard to beat! Look at Cairns, it’s not a sleepy country town anymore — it’s quite progressive. We’ve got everything you’d find in a major city, including one of the busiest international airports in the country. From here you can fly directly to Japan, China, Singapore, New Zealand, Bali or Fiji. For management rights buyers, Cairns’ northern beaches are the standout hotspot, just 20 minutes north of the CBD. In the freehold going concern space, assets are tightly held, but the demand
NG NORTH CASTAWAYS RESORT & SPA MISSION BEAH
TRINITY BEACH CLUB CAIRNS
SALTWATER LUXURY APARTMENTS PORT DOUGLAS
is crazy! I’m getting at least 10 serious enquiries a week from buyers with strong capacity. The sweet spot is properties up to $5 million. Anything in that range barely
Other than it being 35 degrees at the start of Spring?
"THE BUYING IS GOOD, THE RETURNS ARE STRONG AND THE LIFESTYLE IS HARD TO BEAT!"
The outback segment of this market is driven by farming, mining and grey nomad tourism. Occupancy is super high out there as supply outweighs demand.
hits the market before it’s snapped up. This isn’t just the trend for Cairns and the coast — buyers are also willing to explore more remote areas, like Mount Isa, where the returns are exceptional.
SPEAKING OF WHICH, YOU’VE RECENTLY RETURNED FROM MT ISA. HOW WAS YOUR VISIT?
My zone goes all the way out to the Northern Territory border, so I’ve just returned from Mt Isa, Julia Creek and Cloncurry too.
GETAWAY ON GRAFTON CAIRNS
HOW’S THE MARKET DIFFERENT GOING EAST? The outback market folds into the Atherton Tablelands. It shares that grey nomad appeal but has the benefit of being much closer to the coast. It’s very much a drive market, with strong demand from both tourists and workers.
For leisure operators, the bulk of their annual revenue is made in just three months — June, July and August — when every caravan park will be packed with grey nomads who’ve booked months and months in advance. It’s standing room only!
The east coast stands as its own market, with Cairns at the centre. Cairns is the jewel in the crown of Queensland tourism, with the Great Barrier Reef right on its doorstep. It’s a world-class destination that draws visitors year-round, not just for the reef but as the gateway for the broader Far North Queensland experience including the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest.
Once tourist season winds down, operators shift their focus to workers. In some towns, mining companies have even purchased or leased entire parks to guarantee long-term accommodation for their workforce.
Beyond tourism, Cairns is a true regional hub. Visitors fly or drive in for work, so the city supports a strong corporate market alongside its leisure appeal. This blend of business and tourism makes it one of the most dynamic markets in the state.
34 REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT_FAR NORTH QLD
LE CHER DU MONDE PORT DOUGLAS
201 LAKE STREET CAIRNS
PENINSULA BOUTIQUE HOTEL PORT DOUGLAS PORT DOUGLAS
MIHAVEN LIVING CAIRNS
KOALA COURT CAIRNS
AMAROO AT TRINITY TRINITY BEACH
OASIS INN HOLIDAY APARTMENTS CAIRNS
ARGOSY AT CLIFTON CLIFTON BEACH
YOU’VE BEEN WITH US FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. WHAT’S THE BIGGEST THING YOU’VE LEARNED IN THAT TIME? To be honest, when I first started I thought the job would be very real estate agent like, and I wasn’t sure I was going to like it! I’ve worked in different industries in sales, but I never really had an interest in being a real estate agent. But this job really leans into my tourism background, and I love it! I know the markets, I’ve spent a lot of time across all of them: the outback, the rainforest and Cairns itself. I understand the seasonality of the leisure trade as well as the corporate side, and that insight has been a real advantage. On top of that, I already knew many of the properties I’ve listed. Knowing who stays at these places, why they travel and what drives occupancy makes a huge difference. It means when I’m selling, I’m not just selling a building — I’m selling an operating business I genuinely understand.
It’s very different from selling houses. If you’re selling a home, you’re not telling the buyer how they’ll live in it or what furniture they should use. But in motels or management rights, the broker plays a much deeper role. You’re across the financials, and you can talk to a buyer about how to run the business, where the opportunities are and what changes could make it more profitable. You’re not just passing over the keys; you’re a lot more involved in the transaction and matching the right business to the right buyer.
ANY LISTINGS YOU HAVEN’T TAKEN ON? Plenty. My approach has always been built on complete honesty, and I make that clear from the very first meeting. If I don’t believe I can sell a property, I won’t take it on – I don’t want to waste anyone’s time. And if I know a seller’s price expectations are far above what the market will pay, I’d rather have that conversation upfront than set them up for disappointment. You’ve heard us say at ResortBrokers, ‘We’re selling agents, not listing agents.’ Well, it’s true!
Our appraisals are data driven that reflect true market conditions. When we list a property, we position it at the upper end of a defendable range. That way, if buyers push back on price, we can stand our ground with confidence because we know the figures are supported by solid data.
LOOKING AHEAD, HOW’S THE MARKET LOOKING FOR THE REMAINDER OF FY26? With interest rates dropping, you can see the confidence in buyers. Strong offers are being made with certainty and conviction. That trend is driving increased competition, and high-quality assets are moving quickly. At the same time, building costs remain extremely high, which means there are little to no new developments in the pipeline. Savvy vendors who understand this dynamic are well positioned to achieve excellent results. If I was a vendor, I’d be taking advantage of current market conditions. If you have a good property, you’re going to get a great price for it. END
THE BRIGHTON APARTMENTS
LUCRATIVE LAKE MACQUARIE MR, 45 OF 46 IN LETTING POOL, NO LIVE ONSITE REQUIREMENT This high-performing lakefront management rights business puts you at the heart of Toronto’s prime foreshore, positioned within close proximity to Newcastle and only two hours from Sydney. Brighton Toronto comprises 45 residential apartments, all included in the short-term letting pool, ensuring a consistent and strong income stream with an average compounding 9% p.a. growth in gross rental turnover in the last 10 years. Forward bookings remain strong for FY25/26 currently at $1.316M, representing a 14% increase on the previous year. Underpinned by 25-year letting and 10-year caretaking agreements, combined with the absence of live onsite requirements and real estate purchase, makes this business opportunity highly desirable and flexible for a wide range of buyers.
TORONTO, NSW MANAGEMENT RIGHTS BUSINESS ONLY • Trophy asset on Lake Macquarie at the heart of Toronto’s prime foreshore • Only 90 minutes from Sydney, making it a highly sought-after weekend destination • Average compounding 9% p.a. growth in gross rental turnover in the last 10 years • Significant upside for new management through rate optimisation, marketing and occupancy growth • Hands-on operator can boost profit by reducing maintenance and reception costs • 45 apartments are in the short-term holiday letting pool
JACQUELINE FEATHERBY SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, CENTRAL COAST NSW, HUNTER & BLUE MOUNTAINS jacqueline@resortbrokers.com.au 0424 497 056
Price
$2,090,000
Net Profit
$481,350
Listing Reference Property Type Apartments
MRB008946 Management Rights - Business Only 46 (31 apartments /15 dual key)
Letting Pool
45
Years of Caretaking Agreements
10 years
Years of MR Agreements
25 years
• No live onsite or real estate requirements, maximising investment base
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HERMITAGE GARDENS
HIGH-EARNING MR IN BRISBANE’S INNER-NORTH TOPPED UP TO FULL 25-YEAR TERM This exceptional management rights business in the Grange features 120 townhouses and villas with 26 in the letting pool. The business delivers a solid net profit of $266,677, underpinned by a secure $199,598 body corporate salary representing over 75% of the total income, providing a reliable income stream. Full 25-year Accommodation Module agreements ensure long-term stability. With no set office hours stipulated in the agreements. A standout feature of this opportunity before is the recently renovated manager’s residence’, a premium, standalone home with private outdoor spaces and featuring 4 generous bedrooms, 2 modern bathrooms and a double garage. Being offered $155k under current valuation.
JEFF KEAST SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, BRISBANE jeff@resortbrokers.com.au 0414 669 007
GRANGE, QLD MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Price
• Body corporate salary of $199,598, 2.5% CPI
Listing Reference
• Situated under 10km from Brisbane CBD
Property Type
• Full 25-year Accommodation Module agreements ensure long-term stability, demonstrating a strong and supportive committee relationship • Recently renovated 4-bed manager’s standalone house with office on title • Manager’s residence priced at $995k - representing outstanding value ($155k under registered valuation)
$2,263,995
Net Profit
$266,677 MR008932 Management Rights
Townhouses
120
Letting Pool
26
Years Remaining Manager’s Residence
25 Years 4 Bed / 2 Bath
• Additional income stream from onsite property sales services
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LORNE BUSH HOUSE COTTAGES
AWARD-WINNING ECO-RETREAT ON 13.5 ACRES IN PRIME GREAT OCEAN ROAD LOCATION An extraordinary opportunity in one of Victoria’s most coveted tourism destinations. Set on 13.5 acres of native bushland just minutes from Lorne’s town centre, this established accommodation business combines a private bush setting with easy access to town. The property comprises six cottages and five safari style glamping tents, creating a mix that appeals to couples, families and groups seeking an Australian bush experience with modern comforts.
LORNE, VIC COTTAGES AND UNIQUE ECO RETREATS • Expansive 13.5 acre native bushland holding on Lorne’s doorstep • First time offered as freehold going concern • Significant potential for further development and expansion
HUGH THOMAS SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, WEST VICTORIA hugh@resortbrokers.com.au 0459 955 649
Price
$5,500,000
Net Profit
$351,153
Turnover
$509,765
Listing Reference
FH008891
Property Type Units
Freehold Going Concern 11
• 5 established glamping tents for unique guest experiences • 6 well-appointed cottages for comfortable stays • Prime Great Ocean Road location
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SUMMIT APARTMENTS
ROBUST HOLIDAY/SHORT-TERM MLR — OUTSTANDING BRISBANE CITY OPPORTUNITY
JESSIE SHI SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, BRISBANE jessie@resortbrokers.com.au 0422 935 428
An outstanding opportunity to acquire the thriving holiday / short-term management rights business and associated real estate at a highly regarded property in desirable inner-city Spring Hill.
SPRING HILL, QLD MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Price Net Profit
$505,390
• Landmark Brisbane accommodation business in desirable inner-city Spring Hill
Turnover
$1,176,722
Strategically positioned on the edge of Brisbane’s CBD, the property benefits from strong year-round demand across corporate, medical and leisure sectors, with major event and dining precincts close by.
• High net profit of $505,390
Listing Reference
• Consistent high occupancy rate with repeat guests
Property Type
Comprising 74 apartments, the property enjoys consistently high occupancy and control of the five guaranteed leaseback units underpins reliable revenue, delivering a strong net profit of approximately $505K, with clear potential to expand the pool beyond 27 lots. Supported by lengthy tenure remaining on agreements (with successful top-ups), this business is further strengthened by a supportive committee with a generous body corporate salary of $157,727.
$3,240,000
MR008886 Management Rights
• Lengthy tenure remaining on Accommodation Module agreements with successful top-ups
Rooms
74
Letting Pool
27
• Supportive committee with generous body corporate salary exceeding $157K
Management Term
• 2-bed manager’s unit plus sunroom/ optional third bedroom, with 2 carparks
Manager’s Residence
20 Years 2 Bed / 1 Bath
• Exclusive-use office and multiple storage spaces • Inspections by appointment only
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40 BROKER INSIGHT
THE PRICE IS
RIGHT Savvy buyers also kwnow what they’re prepared to pay for it. If the seller’s price is overpriced, especially in this current market, the seller will almost certainly need to “Come on down! — on price. Inevitably, a price drop is required if they want to sell.
"TELL HIM HE’S DREAMIN." JEFF KEAST BROKER, BRISBANE Readers of a certain vintage may remember the TV gameshow The Price is Right. Contestants were drawn from a studio audience to guess the price of merchandise. If they guessed right, they won the merch. When a contestant’s name was called to come on stage, the announcer bellowed “Come on down!” which became the show’s catchcry. Buyers of management rights assets don’t need to guess the price. Unless it’s an expressions of interest campaign, the sale price is listed. No guesswork is required. The buyer knows what the seller expects for their asset.
Some sellers may hold out for their ‘dream price,’ which invokes another popular catchcry, “Tell him he’s dreamin.’” The seller fails to shift their asset. It becomes a stale listing and like most stale things develops a bad odour. Then no one wants to touch it. Having seen this happen on more than a few occasions, my recommendation to sellers is to avoid it from the get-go. Set yourself up for a successful sale at the start. Many elements make for a successful sale. First among them is preparing your profit and loss (P&L) statement for sale. That’s because your sale price will be based on your P&L. That’s why I always recommend sellers have their P&Ls prepared by an industry specialist accountant. For example, we might see that the client’s repairs
Management rights assets priced correctly from the outset have the best chance of selling, writes our Brisbane broker Jeff Keast.
and maintenance is much higher than previous years and ask them to explain. ResortBrokers’ point of difference is we spend time with our clients to go through their business and each line of their P&L. This may take us longer to get properties listed but we’d rather take time to understand your business than rush to market unprepared. It helps us foresee any problems in the P&L that could arise with potential buyers. (We apply the same scrutiny to buyers as well by qualifying them; that is, ensure they have the financial means to buy your asset.) Management rights is a specialism and like any other specialist industry you need experienced, expert practitioners who know what they’re doing. Accountant’s fees will vary depending on who you engage and the size of your business, but typically it’s a small outlay that will save you potentially tens of thousands of dollars when it comes to your sale price. Rest assured that buyers interested in your management rights business will have their own accountants verify your P&L. If they find it’s out of whack, the buyer will expect a price reduction. A variation of as little as a few thousand dollars or more means you’re looking at a price drop. Avoid this at all costs.
41 As a broker, I certainly do. I won’t take on a listing unless the seller has had their P&L prepared for sale by an industry specialist accountant. Some sellers say they don’t want to spend money on a P&L. I’ll then ask them, “If you were looking to buy a business whose figures weren’t prepared by a specialist accountant, how much trust would you have in what you’re buying?”
for wages. This is particularly the case in short-term letting schemes where wages are always a bone of contention. When your P&L undergoes scrutiny by an industry specialist accountant, these mistakes may prove very costly to you. How costly? Potentially, tens of thousands of dollars off your sale price, if not more. I heard of one sale (not one of ResortBrokers')
"SET YOURSELF UP FOR A SUCCESSFUL SALE BY HAVING YOUR P&L PREPARED BY AN INDUSTRY SPECIALIST ACCOUNTANT" Most sellers get it at this point. Once they’ve placed themselves in the buyer’s shoes, they understand how crucial an industry accountant-prepared P&L is. Nevertheless, some sellers still want to do it themselves. And that’s OK if you know what you’re doing. But if you don’t, you may overlook crucial items. You may leave GST in your figures. Or not properly account
where the seller missed out on $100,000 of the sale price because they’d messed up their P&L by doing it themselves. There’s another reason I insist upon an industry accountant-prepared P&L. It means I can stand behind the figures with authority. I can confidently defend your price. I know the figures are clean and can get behind them to sell it for you.
It also gives buyers’ confidence to submit an attractive offer. If buyers think the figures are rubbery, they’re never going to put their best foot forward. Due diligence in management rights sales is hard enough. Don’t make it harder for yourself. Your aim should be to come to market with P&L figures that the buyer will have the least amount of objection to once they have been verified by their accountant. I learned this the hard way. When I was very green in this industry, one of my first listings was a management rights business netting over $300,000. My client was very experienced and insisted they didn’t want an industry accountant-prepared P&L. Because I was new to the industry and a little daunted by my client’s experience I didn’t push for an industry accountant-prepared P&L. During verification the buyer’s accountant discovered my client’s figures were out by about $20,000. Once the multiplier was applied the difference in the sale price was about $120,000. It was a huge gap to try to negotiate. I got it sold but not before my client agreed to a significant price drop.
"YOU WON'T HAVE TO 'COME ON DOWN!'" Don’t let this be you. A small amount to pay upfront to get your P&L properly prepared will save you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run. You can confidently stand behind your sale price and won’t have to “Come on down!” END PROXIMITY WATERFRONT APARTMENTS $911K NET PROFIT
THE CHELSEA APARTMENTS $638K NET PROFIT
INTERESTED? CONTACT JEFF PARKSIDE KEDRON $98K NET PROFIT
VIDORRA $566K NET PROFIT
Specialist Accommodation Broker, Brisbane 0414 669 007 jeff@resortbrokers.com.au
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LENNOX BEACH RESORT
EXCEPTIONAL SEA CHANGE MANAGEMENT RIGHTS IN SOUGHTAFTER BEACH TOWN + HIGH ROI Step into a lucrative lifestyle and management rights business with the renowned Lennox Beach Resort, perfectly positioned just 100 metres from the stunning Lennox Headland and surf beach. This premier resort-style complex is a powerhouse in the holiday letting market, boasting an impressive net profit of approximately $610,000 and a strong body corporate remuneration exceeding $133,000. The resort features a diverse collection of beautifully appointed, self-catering apartments designed to attract holidaymakers seeking comfort, convenience and the quintessential beach escape. Recent upgrades to facilities ensure a seamless guest experience, setting this property apart in a competitive market. Included is a renovated manager’s residence — a spacious 3-bed home with an office, offering the perfect blend of living and working space for hands-on management.
TODD WARNER SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, SOUTHERN GOLD COAST todd@resortbrokers.com.au 0438 170 763
LENNOX HEAD, NSW MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Price Net Profit
$610,423
• Prime coastal location just 100 metres from Lennox Headland and pristine surf beach
Listing Reference
MR00895
• Astounding financial performance $610K net profit and body corporate income over $133K
$3,865,000
Property Type Units
Management Rights 41
• One of the largest accommodation providers in Lennox Head, up to 184 guest capacity • Modern, well-maintained, upgraded resort facilities and self-catering apartments • Renovated 3-bed, 3-bath manager’s residence with dedicated office and 2 car parks • Established reputation in a sought-after holiday destination • Inspections by appointment only
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OASIS INN HOLIDAY APARTMENTS
PROFITABLE CAIRNS MANAGEMENT RIGHTS WITH LONG-TERM SECURITY — PRICED TO SELL!
LEAH BURSZTYNOWICZ SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, FAR NORTH QLD leah@resortbrokers.com.au 0468 918 250
Perfectly suited for first-time management rights buyers, this well-located property offers an easy-to-run business with a great balance of lifestyle and income. Just a short walk from the hospital, Esplanade, and CBD, and only minutes to the airport, ensuring strong, year-round occupancy.
CAIRNS, QLD MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Zoned short-stay only, with no owner occupiers, the complex offers stability and minimal risk for the incoming operator. With 22 years remaining on the agreements and no set office hours, this business offers long term security. The caretaking role is simple to manage and well-supported by a cooperative body corporate.
• 22 years remaining on agreements for long-term security
Suites
27
• No set office hours – flexible lifestyle
Letting Pool
24
• Spacious 3-bed, 2-bath manager’s residence
Years on Lease
• Strong year-round occupancy • Prime North Cairns location near CBD, hospital & airport
• Zoned short-stay only – no owner occupiers
Price
$750,000
Net Profit
$208,765
Listing Reference Property Type
Manager’s Residence
MR008940 Management Rights
22 Years 3 Bed / 2 Bath
The manager’s residence is a spacious threebedroom, two-bathroom unit with direct parking access, while guest amenities include a swimming pool, barbecue area, coin laundry, and tour desk. Efficient and user friendly Resly booking system which streamlines bookings.
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48 SPECIAL FEATURE
A TRUE
NORTHERN
GREAT
I know all my ResortBrokers’ colleagues join me in this fond farewell to Des, who’s sadly hanging up his boots for retirement after more than a decade with us as our Townsville-based broker.
Seeing as I’ve known Des for all that time and because he’s a great mate of mine, I have the honour of writing this tribute. Actually, this is Des’ second retirement. He came out of his first to join ResortBrokers in 2015, aged in his sixties, taking on a huge territory that covered Townsville to Mackay and out west to Mt Isa. From day one, he threw himself into the role with the enthusiasm and energy of someone in their twenties and basically lived out of his car as he covered one of ResortBrokers’ largest zones. But they make ‘em tough in the country. Des is born and bred Gin Gin and started his working life as a sugarcane farmer before ‘retiring’ at 55.
Our National Sales Manager’s heartfelt farewell to one of our greats, Des Fagg. Words_Marissa von Stieglitz
Bored with ‘retirement,’ he and wife Marina bought a management rights business in Townsville, followed by a caravan park at Googarra Beach in Tully Heads, before joining ResortBrokers. With us, Des became a North Queensland powerhouse, notching up sales of 90 properties worth over $129 million in total over his career. Not many brokers come close to this scale and volume.
Never one to big note himself, Des reckons his success as a broker comes down to genuinely wanting to help people. I’m quoting from the man himself here: “When I see people succeed in their business ventures, it gives me great satisfaction to know I’ve been a part of that.” Whether it was his unmatched local market knowledge, his reliability (he always calls people back) or his growing fame thanks to frequent news stories of his sales in the Townsville Bulletin, Des left an unforgettable impression on everyone who’s had the pleasure of knowing him over his time with us. For those of us lucky enough to work alongside Des, he’s been a true team player; always approachable, always with a big broad smile and always willing to help out. A trooper. Behind every good man is a good woman, and Des is the first to credit Marina for her support, particularly with the admin side of the business. Together, they’ve been an incredible team. For me personally, Des isn’t just a great colleague, he’s a lifelong mate. And I know I speak for all of us when I say: Des, you and Marina will be deeply missed. Enjoy your well-earned retirement, you Great Northern legend. We’ll catch up soon. END
50 NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
MEET RESORTBROKERS’ NEW TOWNSVILLE BROKER Our recently retired broker Des Fagg leaves big shoes to fill after 10 years, but his successor Steven Styles has the chops … and is rearing to go. Steven will operate from his base in North Shore, covering a broad territory that spans south to Airlie Beach and Proserpine, north to Ingham and west to Hughenden.
STEVEN STYLES BROKER, TOWNSVILLE & SURROUNDS Our new broker for Townsville and surrounds brings to ResortBrokers a wealth of experience from a high-flying 18-year career at Coca-Cola, where he rose through the ranks to become District Sales Manager, leading highperforming teams across Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton. Born in Ingham, Steven relocated to Townsville to complete a Bachelor of Commerce at James Cook University and has proudly called Queensland’s ‘second capital’ home for over 25 years. Despite opportunities to relocate throughout different stages of his career, Steven chose to plant roots in Townsville. Those roots run deep. His parents, now retired to Burrum Heads, owned a local business in Ingham, and his wife Jordana is Townsville born and bred. This December, the couple are set to welcome their first child, a new Townsville generation in the making. “I really love North Queensland,” says the 44-year-old. “There’s the family connection, of course; but also the lifestyle. I love the outdoors and North Queensland has everything I need. It’s a beautiful backdrop to enjoy a wonderful lifestyle. It’s home.”
“I really enjoy travel,” he says. “It was a huge part of my role at Coca-Cola and a big reason for our su ccess in building and retaining strong client relationships. Meeting clients face-to-face makes
“I needed a role where I could connect with people. I enjoy the personal interaction.” That made Coca-Cola a natural fit. Joining in 2007, Steven thrived in the business and worked his way up to a leadership position as District Sales Manager. He says his success at Coca-Cola was grounded in integrity and clear communication.
“CLIENTS APPRECIATE YOU’RE LOCAL AND ARE GENUINELY INVESTED IN THEIR BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY. THIS SETS YOU APART FROM COMPETITORS THAT JUST BLOW IN FOR A DAY OR TWO.” a huge difference. They appreciate that you’re local and are genuinely invested in their business and the community. This often sets you apart from competitors that just blow in to town for a day or two.” Steven’s career began with aspirations of becoming an accountant, but midway through university he pivoted to business management. While studying, he took on a graduate position at Toyota Finance from 2003–2004, which led to a business manager position in Westpac’s Country Business Direct division, supporting relationship managed clients across regional Queensland and the Northern Territory. He loved the work but not sitting behind a desk. “I enjoyed the role but realised I wasn’t suited to a regular office job,” he says.
“It’s pretty simple,” he says. “Be authentic and follow through on your word. Deliver on what you’ve committed to and within the desired timeframe. If something can’t be done, be upfront about it. No excuses, no fluff. That kind of honesty builds trust, and trust is the foundation of success.” Steven is bringing his peoplecentred approach to his new role with ResortBrokers in Townsville, a city he says has dramatically transformed since he first arrived nearly 30 years ago. “Townsville has a strong and diverse economy,” he says. “We’re a garrison city with a strong army presence. Tourism plays a role, but we’re not solely dependent on it. There’s also a solid government sector and a significant mining component. The local economy has remained resilient throughout various business cycles.” END
0488 044 981 | steven@resortbrokers.com.au
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK 51
SARAH HUTCHINS BROKER, SOUTH COAST NSW Sarah Hutchins is a familiar face to ResortBrokers’ clients on NSW’s South Coast. She’s been admirably supporting our retiring broker Russell Rogers there since 2019, helping Russ sell accommodation assets worth over $100 million in total. Sarah’s now taking a more prominent role at ResortBrokers — she’s officially joining us as a broker. Her “new”territory covers the Southern Highlands, Goulburn, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven and right down to Batemans Bay. Everyone who’s crossed paths with Sarah knows what she’s about: a tireless work ethic, results-focused customer service, high integrity, consummate professionalism and friendly, approachable manner. Sarah joined ResortBrokers after a two-decade career in residential real estate where she was one of the most successful agents in the Goulburn area. Sarah’s wide network of repeat and referred clients speaks to her effectiveness in building relationships and exceeding client expectations. An exceptional communicator, she places great emphasis on understanding a client’s needs. “Every client is different, and each business is different,” says Sarah. “That’s why I take a highly tailored approach to every client and work so hard to achieve exceptional results for them.” Welcome aboard, Sarah. It’s great to have you as part of our team — officially!
NEW BROKER, FAMILIAR FACE SOUTH COAST RETREAT FREEHOLD GOING CONCERN
TERRALONG TERRACE APARTMENTS MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
0407 020 443 | sarah@resortbrokers.com.au
LAUNCESTON HOLIDAY PARK LEGANA
PRIME 3.06HA LANDHOLDING STRONG INCOME FIRST TIME OFFERED IN 27 YEARS
MARISSA VON STIEGLITZ NATIONAL SALES MANAGER & TASMANIAN SPECIALIST marissa@resortbrokers.com.au 0437 198 164
A rare opportunity to secure an established holiday park in Tasmania’s fastest-growing region.
LEGANA, TAS FREEHOLD
Price
$4,500,000
Listing Reference
FH008984
Set on 3.06ha with prime highway exposure at the entrance to the Tamar Valley, the park offers 43 sites and 21 cabins, strong yearround demand and excellent long-term growth prospects.
• 3.06ha freehold going concern in a booming Tasmanian growth corridor
Property Type
Freehold
• 43 sites and 21 cabins
Net Profit
$493,023
• Prime highway frontage at the gateway to the Tamar Valley
Turnover
$646,000
Operated under management for 15 years, incoming owners can continue the proven hands-off model or step in to further enhance returns. Additional upside exists through a two-bedroom cabin (currently used as a second manager’s residence) being added to the tourist income.
• Long-term management model delivering stable returns
Manager’s Residence
3 Bed / 1 Bath
• Two managers’ residences • First time offered in 27 years
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BANKSIA MOTEL TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! SYDNEY 38-KEY FREEHOLD MOTEL — LESS THAN $225,000 PER KEY With excellent street presence along the Hume Highway in Sydney’s rapidly growing southwest, this 38-key Bass Hill motel is one of the few remaining that have not yet been acquired for repositioning. In the right hands, this solidly constructed classic motel could be transformed into boutique accommodation to capitalise on the resurgence in popularity of nostalgic motels. Alternatively, it could be retained in its current form and enjoy strong, consistent cash flow from a steady base of worker guests. Due to a change in their personal circumstances, the vendor is seeking a quick sale. As such, the property has been priced accordingly at less than $225,000 per key — an incredible offering when benchmarked against comparative properties.
KELLI CROUCH SENIOR SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, SA & NT kelli@resortbrokers.com.au 0410 441 750 TRUDY CROOKS MANAGING DIRECTOR
BASS HILL, NSW MOTEL
trudy@resortbrokers.com.au 0477 882 210
• Ultra rare Sydney freehold motel, one of the last to be acquired for repositioning • Ideally located in high-growth region with prominent presence on Hume Highway • 38 large guest rooms of various configurations • 5 rooms recently refurbished with painting and new carpets • Priced to sell at less than $225,000 per key, offering incredible value at well below replacement cost • Inspections by appointment only
Price
$8,600,000
Listing Reference
FH008988
Property Type Keys
Freehold Going Concern 38 Keys
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WENTWORTH CENTRAL MOTOR INN
OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE A FREEHOLD MOTEL IN REGIONAL NSW WITH DIVERSIFIED, YEAR-ROUND DEMAND Wentworth Central Motor Inn presents a rare chance to acquire a 24-key freehold motel in a regional NSW town with diversified, year-round demand. The motel is being sold as a freehold going concern on approximately 2,162sqm of land, offering buyers full control over the asset and the ability to capture all operational upside. A three-bed owner’s residence is included on the ground floor, delivering free onsite living and reducing the cost of management. The property is well-equipped with an outdoor pool, spa, BBQ area and free parking. The property has been operating with a mix of tourism and workforce accommodation, including pick-up and drop-off services for vineyard and farm workers, which adds operational stability and diversifies income sources. A guest transport van is included in the sale, supporting this service and providing operational continuity.
TRISTAN MEARS SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, NORTHWEST VIC & SOUTHWEST NSW tristan@resortbrokers.com.au 0408 236 420 KELLI CROUCH SENIOR SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, SA & NT
MELBOURNE, VIC FREEHOLD GOING CONCERN • Year-round demand from tourists, backpackers and agricultural workers ensures consistent occupancy and reduces reliance on seasonal peaks • Strategic location at the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers, 30 km from Mildura, attracting transient and long-stay visitors to a gateway town for the NSW outback and Broken Hill • 3-bed owner’s residence on the ground floor delivers free onsite living, reducing management costs and enhancing lifestyle appeal for owner-operators
kelli@resortbrokers.com.au 0410 441 750
Price
$2,600,000
Listing Reference
FH009002
Property Type Apartments Manager’s Residence
Freehold Going Concern 24 3 Bed / 2 Bath
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5-STAR INNER-MELB APARTMENT-HOTEL COMING SOON TO MARKET! 200+ KEY SHORT-TERM APARTMENTHOTEL IN MELBOURNE CBD.
TIM CROOKS DIRECTOR OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS & HOTELS tim@resortbrokers.com.au 0417 544 562
ResortBrokers is excited to announce a rare management rights opportunity due to be released to the market soon!
MELBOURNE, VIC MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Price
On offer are the rights to a fully established, 5-star short-term run, apartment-hotel located within CBD fringe of Melbourne, in close proximity to the best tourism and leisure entertainment precincts. This stylish and modern complex boasts 200+ keys with a good variety of room types including studios, queens and family suites plus dual keys. Zoning and building restricts permanent occupancy for longer than 90 days. 130+ keys are on a lease structure with the potential of further growing the number of keys subject to purchaser’s preference and demand.
• 5-star apartment-hotel in prime inner-Melbourne CBD fringe location
Property Type
• 200+ keys with solid short-term letting pool on long lease arrangement
Apartments
Expressions of Interest
Listing Reference
MR008982 Management Rights 200+ Keys
• Wide selection of accommodation from studios to suites to penthouses • Stylish foyer and lounge, reception and back-of-house operational space • Located close to transport, key sport and cultural precincts
Opportunity to secure long-term building management agreements and long-term common area licences. This premium property features conference rooms, guest amenities and quality operational areas.
VIEW MORE AT RESORTBROKERS.COM.AU
56 SPECIAL FEATURE_1834 HOTELS
BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, OPERATE WITH EASE: HOTEL SOLUTIONS FOR INVESTORS 1834 Hotels don’t just operate properties, we guide investors through every step of the acquisition process. Hotel investment opportunities are abundant across Australia. From boutique motels to full-service resorts, the market is crowded with properties, yet opportunity alone doesn’t guarantee strong performance and not every listing is worth the leap. Many hotel investors face uncertainty navigating complex market dynamics, hidden operational costs and everchanging consumer demands. Because the truth is, without deep industry knowledge, it’s difficult to accurately assess the true value of a property or predict how it will perform into the future. Add to this the challenge of understanding local regulations, staffing and day-to-day operations — areas often outside an investor’s expertise — and it’s easy to understand the hesitation.
BUYING WITH CONFIDENCE That’s where 1834 Hotels steps in. As Australia’s largest independent white-label management company, we don’t just operate properties, we guide investors through every step of the acquisition process. From identifying promising opportunities and conducting in-depth market analysis to evaluating operational potential, we provide the insights and expertise investors need to make confident decisions. And we don’t just send you a list of properties and step back. Our team gets involved with your decision-making process. We ask the right questions and help you figure out which properties align with your goals (and which ones aren’t worth the risk).
DATA-BACKED HOTEL INVESTMENTS Savvy investors know there’s more to a property than how things look on the surface. The true potential of a property is revealed only through its numbers and operations, which speak volumes about the future it can deliver. That’s why at 1834 Hotels we bring in the people who run hotels every single day, to assess each opportunity from the inside out, including experienced operators, revenue managers and finance leads who know exactly what makes a hotel perform. So, before anything moves forward, we dig into all the details with you; breaking down the numbers, testing the assumptions and helping you spot the opportunities that are worth your time (and the ones that aren’t). This includes the following processes: Revenue and Profit & Loss Review We dive deep into current financials to identify realistic opportunities for growth, pinpoint where margins can improve, and separate sustainable earnings from one-off gains.
Competitive Benchmarking
Maintenance and Refurbishment Assessment We evaluate any upcoming or necessary investments in maintenance or upgrades to provide a clear picture of what’s required to maintain or increase value. Procurement and Group Buying Benefits We tap into our extensive supplier network to negotiate better pricing on everything from linens to food and beverage, delivering immediate cost savings that will boost your bottom line. At the end of this process, we leave you with what matters most: a clear understanding of where the opportunity really lies. But we also know that for investors, smart acquisition is just the beginning. What comes next matters just as much. From Acquisition to Operation After the acquisition, we don’t step back, we step in. Because an acquisition isn’t the end of the process, it’s actually the beginning. And this is where we thrive. While ownership changes hands, we move quickly and quietly into place, ensuring a seamless transition into operational management without disruption to guests, staff or day-to-day performance. Our white-label management model also helps to keep things flexible. Properties can continue operating independently or align with a franchise or brand partner, whatever suits the asset best. Then, behind the scenes, our expert teams provide the structure, systems and national support network that keep everything running smoothly. From Day One, every key area is covered: revenue strategy, finance, payroll, HR, marketing and distribution. Nothing is left to chance.
We analyse the property against a set of competitors to understand its strengths and weaknesses within the market, including pricing strategies and demand drivers.
Clarity. Confidence. Performance.
Operational Expense and Analysis
For investors, we’re more than management, we’re a trusted partner who guides you from purchase to profitable operation, turning opportunity into lasting success. END
We scrutinise current spending and staffing structures to forecast how operational efficiencies can be improved without sacrificing guest experience.
Managing over 60 properties, 1834 Hotels leads with transparent, performance-driven operations that keep owners aligned and accountable.
1834 Hotels – Your Partner in Regional and Metro Accommodation Success Looking to maximise the potential of your motel, hotel, or serviced apartments? Whether your property is in a bustling metro hub or a thriving regional destination, 1834 Hotels is here to help. We are one of Australia’s leading independent management companies, offering white-label management solutions tailored to meet the needs of accommodation owners. With over 60 properties under management across Australia and the Pacific, we have a proven track record of delivering exceptional results for property owners.
Why 1834 Hotels? Based in Australia, with offices in Sydney, Adelaide, and Tasmania, 1834 Hotels provides hands-on, local support to help you: Streamline operations to reduce stress and improve efficiency. Optimise revenue through expert rate and distribution strategies. Enhance your property’s value with tailored management solutions. Drive growth with marketing expertise designed to attract more guests. Whether you own a boutique motel, a hotel, or a mixed-use property, we tailor our services to meet your unique needs and goals.
Comprehensive Management Services Our white-label solutions include: Day-to-day operational management tailored to your property. Revenue and distribution optimisation strategies for regional and metro markets. Expert marketing and brand representation to grow your profile. Strategic alliances with global franchise brands to unlock new opportunities. Comprehensive financial and asset management for lasting success. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities in both regional and metro markets. From supporting independent properties to integrating with larger brand networks, we work with you to build a profitable and sustainable future. At 1834 Hotels, we welcome an initial conversation to help you learn more about how we can support your business goals.
Why Choose 1834 Hotels? 60+ properties under management across Australia and the Pacific. Specialising in white-label management for motels, hotels, and mixed-use properties. Local support with offices in Sydney, Adelaide, and Tasmania. A relationship-driven approach tailored to your property’s needs. Proven success in regional and metro accommodation markets.
Partner with us and discover how 1834 Hotels can help your property thrive in today’s competitive market.
Contact
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Scott Armstrong
Director of Development
0424 157 736 scott@1834hotels.com.au www.1834hotels.com.au
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SPECIAL FEATURE 59
“GLENN TAUGHT ME THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING STRONG PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND TO FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE YOU GEL WITH.”
MENTOR. MENSCH. MAESTRO. Today, Alex Cook is one of the most experienced management rights brokers in the country. But there was a time when he was a newcomer in need of a mentor — and Glenn Millar was there to help. Words_Alex Cook, Director I don’t suppose any agent has the easiest of starts. But that was me, back in 2011 when I first joined ResortBrokers. Carla and I had just returned from the UK and were scratching around as to what to make of ourselves. I’ll be forever grateful to Ian — Carla’s father and my father-in-law — who suggested we join the agency he started in 1985. I knew nothing about management rights, but Ian had faith in me and gave me my start as a broker servicing the Gold Coast. He saw something in me that made him think I’d be able to make a go of it. So did Glenn. I had a horrible first year. I was floundering for much of it as there was little to sell in a market yet to emerge from the GFC. I was ready to pack it in. That’s when Glenn really stepped in to take me under his wing. Like Ian, he thought I had what it took to do well at management rights, and put in a lot of time and effort mentoring me at the start of my career.
The first sale he brought me in on was Salefish Cove Resort, a large permanent management rights in Mermaid Waters. The seller was Glenn’s client; he didn’t have to bring me in but did. He called me from the Sunshine Coast. “I’ve got this listing, do you want to work with me on it?” I was absolutely thrilled. It was by far the largest listing I’d worked on by then. It was a $4 million sale of a business netting $600,000, which was huge for the time. I learned so much from Glenn on that deal, and we developed a great working relationship and personal friendship. Whenever he had a listing on the Gold Coast, Glenn would bring me in and vice versa. One deal that stands out is Soul Surfers Paradise (now branded Peppers), a receivership sale for PwC. Glenn, Carla and I worked on our proposal all weekend to get it in by the Monday morning deadline. It got PwC’s attention, and we landed a meeting. We ended up jagging that listing in a crowded field that included JLL, CBRE and Ray White. We appraised the asset at $19 million and achieved $25.7 million at sale — a major career highlight for both Glenn and me. For a young broker at the start of his career, Glenn gave me a lot of confidence and taught me to believe in myself. He took me from a fledgling agent up to a very confident agent
capable of doing really big deals. He taught me the importance of having strong close personal relationships with good clients. Less is more — focus on the people you gel with, and take a long-term approach. A lot of Glenn’s regular clients I’ve taken on, and I think he’s consciously or subconsciously facilitated that. To a certain extent, I continue to walk in his footsteps. As much as Glenn is a mensch of a man, and a maestro at what he does, no tribute to him would be complete without pointing out some of his eccentricities. Glenn’s shirts are so loud you can hear them screaming miles away. His socks, too. Some of his jokes would make fathers cringe. He not only loves a great deal when it comes to management rights, but for steaks as well. Loves a budget lunch. And, says Carla, fancies himself as a graphic designer. Gentle ribbing aside, Glenn would be the first to acknowledge the support of his wife, Maggie — a kinder person you’ll never met. In this line of work, not only does the broker take on the job but their partner and family does too. Maggie has been quietly behind Glenn every step of the way, and made his success possible. I’m sure I speak for everyone at ResortBrokers in wishing both Glenn and Maggie all the very best for this next chapter in their lives. You’ll both be missed, but it’s au revoir not goodbye. END
ALICE SPRINGS TOURIST PARK
A ROCK-SOLID CARAVAN PARK OF SCALE AND QUALITY IN THE HEART OF THE ALICE On offer is a rare opportunity to acquire a large, secure accommodation asset in the Red Centre, one of Australia’s most enduring and resilient tourism markets.
operation would suit a corporate park group looking to acquire a foothold in The Alice or an owner-operator couple seeking a solid, well-established business.
Set on 2.9 hectares just two kilometres from the CBD, the park offers 162 accommodations including 24 tourist cabins, 6 tourist motels, 79 powered tourist sites, 10 unpowered tourist sites, 16 tourist tent sites, 23 long-term sites, 4 long term-cabins — catering to tourists, business travellers and long-stay guests.
With three decades of proven performance, this asset offers incoming owners a rare opportunity to expand, enhance and take the business to the next level.
Staff accommodation includes 2 on-site caravans and one studio unit, utilised in the peak season for staff and added to room stock in the off season as required. Facilities include a pool, barbecues, camp kitchens, kiosk, Wi-Fi, amenities blocks and secure access. The property also features a well presented three-bedroom owner’s residence with private rear yard. With excellent online reviews and professional management in place, this turnkey
KELLI CROUCH SENIOR SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, SA & NT kelli@resortbrokers.com.au 0410 441 750
Price
$4,200,000 + SAV
Turnover
$1,175,342
Listing Reference
FH009008
Property Type
Freehold Caravan & Cabin Park
ALICE SPRINGS, NT FREEHOLD CARAVAN & CABIN PARK • Large freehold caravan park in the heart of Alice Springs, with 162 accommodations • Prime Larapinta Drive location, 2 km from CBD and gateway to Red Centre attractions • Diverse accommodation mix • Landholding of 2.9 hectares with secure boom-gate entry, well-maintained infrastructure and modern amenities
• Well presented park, with potential upside for owner operators or experienced park operators • Multiple revenue streams from cabins, powered and unpowered sites, long-term sites and onsite kiosk • Rare freehold offering in a market with limited comparable opportunities for sale
VIEW MORE AT RESORTBROKERS.COM.AU
BOATHOUSE RESORT TEA GARDENS
HIGH ROI + $317K NP + PRIME WATERFRONT LOCATION + LIFESTYLE Dreaming of an exciting new lifestyle, where you can live and work by the water? This incredibly successful management rights business ideally located in a beautiful NSW coastal town is only 2.5 hours from Sydney CBD, and 40 minutes from Newcastle. The Boathouse Resort Tea Gardens represents an ideal opportunity for both first-time operators and experienced management rights owners. It offers 24 of the 33 units in the letting pool, with the potential to secure at least two more in 2025/2026 as apartment sales progress. Genuine lifestyle flexibility, with exceptional income (net profit circa $317K), proven over 21 years of operation, a perfect scale for a couple supported by a loyal team of contractors. The Boathouses’ 4-star accommodation is complemented by impeccably maintained grounds and resort-style guest facilities.
JACQUELINE FEATHERBY SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, CENTRAL COAST NSW, HUNTER & BLUE MOUNTAINS jacqueline@resortbrokers.com.au 0424 497 056
TEA GARDENS, NSW MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Price
• Prime waterfront location — incredible work/life opportunity
Listing Reference
• No requirement to live onsite + no real estate to purchase
Property Type
• Excellent guest relationships — active subscriber list of 5,500 loyal clients • 18-year letting and 10-year caretaking agreements (NSW maximum term) • Supported by a loyal team of housekeepers, receptionist and gardeners
$1,250,000
Net Profit
$317,434 MR008942 Management Rights
Apartments
33
Letting Pool
24
Management Term
18 Year Letting Term 10 Year Caretaking Term
• Outstanding resort facilities and large, well-presented rooms
VIEW MORE AT RESORTBROKERS.COM.AU
NAUTICA
OFF THE PLAN TOWNHOUSE MANAGEMENT RIGHTS – $125K PROFIT | NO REAL ESTATE TO BUY • Projected net profit $125,000 • Body corporate salary $63,000 • Business-only with no office hours and no real estate to purchase • Brand new 25-year Accommodation Module agreements
JEFF KEAST SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, BRISBANE
BRISBANE, QLD MANAGEMENT RIGHTS - OFF-THE-PLAN ResortBrokers exclusively presents an outstanding off the plan management rights opportunity in Margate. Nautica is a quality 42-townhouse development currently under construction, with a projected net profit of $125,000 and a strong body corporate salary of $63,000 ($1,500 per lot), under brand new 25-year Accommodation Module agreements.
jeff@resortbrokers.com.au 0414 669 007
Caretaking is straightforward, with no pool, no barbecue facilities and only a small communal fire pit area to maintain. The letting pool is forecast at 17 across 42 lots. Construction is well progressed, with completion expected by mid-2026. More than 90 percent of lots have already sold.
WIRRA ESTATE
Price
$565,000
Listing Reference Property Type
OTP008991 Management Rights - Off the Plan
Net Profit
$125,000
SOUGHT-AFTER OFF THE PLAN COMPLEX – NETTING OVER $200,000 • Premium off-the-plan gated townhouse complex near major retail & shopping hubs • High-end, newly developed gate townhouse community • Brand new 25-year Accommodation Module for maximum tenure security • Projected net profit exceeding $200,000 CLINT AMOS SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, NORTH GOLD COAST
LABRADOR, QLD MANAGEMENT RIGHTS - BUSINESS ONLY Presenting to market an excellent opportunity to acquire a business-only management rights in a premium, off-theplan gated complex at 103 Olsen Avenue. Comprising 42 high-spec townhouses with a projected letting pool of 30, this asset features a new 25-year Accommodation Module, strong body corporate salary, and projected net profit exceeding $200,000.
Minimal facilities ensure low maintenance, while proximity to retail, schools, and transport drives rental demand. No real estate purchase required, making this a secure, scalable business in sought-after Labrador. With a strong letting pool with 30 of 42 lots under management and an attractive body corporate salary of $67,000 plus GST.
clint@resortbrokers.com.au 0482 061 261 Price
$940,000
Listing Reference Property Type Net Profit
MRB008979 Management Rights - Business Only $200,000 Proj.
VIEW MORE AT RESORTBROKERS.COM.AU
CENTREPOINT CALOUNDRA
RARE LARGE-SCALE OPPORTUNITY! PROFIT MEETS PARADISE IN THE HEART OF CALOUNDRA Centrepoint Caloundra represents one of the Sunshine Coast’s most compelling management rights opportunities — a proven, high-performing business with strong financial returns and a price point that positions it as an absolute bargain for the calibre of asset on offer. With 38 apartments in the holiday letting pool, this operation generates a substantial and sustainable net profit, supported by a strong body corporate salary and long-term agreements that safeguard income security. The diverse unit mix and consistently high occupancy underpin impressive year-round earnings with minimal reliance on online booking channels. This is a rare chance to secure a top-tier business in a prime coastal location, offering genuine profitability, operational efficiency, and lifestyle appeal in equal measure. In today’s market, opportunities delivering this level of net income at such a competitive price are exceptionally hard to find.
CALOUNDRA, QLD MANAGEMENT RIGHTS • High net profit delivering exceptional ROI • Best value purchase for this calibre of asset • 38 in the holiday letting pool • Prime central Caloundra location – walk to beaches and cafes • Diverse mix of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments • Consistent year-round occupancy and repeat guests
CHENOA DANIEL SENIOR SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION BROKER, SUNSHINE COAST chenoa@resortbrokers.com.au 0403 143 151
Price
$3,999,000
Listing Reference
MR008819
Property Type Net Profit
Management Rights $679,431
Apartments
70
Letting Pool
38
Remaining Term Manager’s Residence
25 Years 3 Bed / 2 Bath
• Long-term 25-year agreements securing income certainty • Resort-style facilities – pool, spa, sauna, BBQ areas, games room
VIEW MORE AT RESORTBROKERS.COM.AU
SPECIAL FEATURE 65
FAREWELL TO A LEGEND One of ResortBrokers’ greats — our South Coast NSW Senior Broker Russell Rogers — is bowing out after 15 years with us. His successor, Sarah Hutchins, who’s supported Russ for the last six years pens this tribute.
Words_Sarah Hutchins Broker, South Coast NSW Not many people know this, but Russ and I go way back.
Six years later here I am, ready to step into Russ’ shoes. And big shoes they are.
My mum is from Taralga, a small country town about 40 minutes from Goulburn where Russ’ family made a name for themselves. Russ’ grandfather, Charles Rogers, built an empire there. Goulburn was one of the first towns in Australia to have electricity thanks to Charles Rogers. But that’s a whole other story.
I’ve learned so much from him. In sales, he’s a great innovator. With Russ, there’s always a way to do a deal. And he always puts clients first. It’s not just about dollars and cents. It’s about doing the right thing by his clients and getting them to where they want to go.
Anyway, when my mum was little, Russ’ mum and dad lived on the property directly across from hers. My mum grew up calling Russ’ mum Aunty Sherry. I’ve still got a teddy bear Russ’ mum gave my mum when they left Taralga to move to the South Coast. So, when I moved down from Goulburn to the South Coast, I knew of Russ though we’d never met. I did eventually meet him when I was doing open houses in residential real estate. Russ came to an auction we were doing and we got chatting. I was ready to hang up my boots in residential real estate by then after 20 years. One day, I was on LinkedIn looking for jobs, and one popped up to work for Russ. So, I called him, and the rest is history. Small world indeed!
This win-win approach explains why Russ has been so successful and why he’s so well regarded by his clients. I’ve been happy to support him on some cracking sales: Black Dolphin Resort Motel, which sold to Aspen Group to create Tween Waters Merimbula; Motel Molly; The Whale Inn, which sold to Justin Hemmes’ Merivale Group; and Alpha Canberra Hotel and Apartments, which sold to Geocon. In my second year with Russ, he cracked the $1.8 million mark in commission. It was one of those years that just kept rolling and rolling. Russ and I kept looking at each other in disbelief like two kids. I can barely believe that over my six years with Russ, transactions topped $100 million in total asset worth — what a ride! Life at ResortBrokers without Russ simply won’t be the same.
But I’m excited for what’s next for him. Russ is a man of reinvention. He’s had so many careers over his working life: abalone farmer, motor mechanic, motel owner and accommodation property broker. For my part, I’m looking forward to building on the incredible platform he’s give me on the South Coast. Thank you, Russ, you’re an absolute legend. END
Russ’ EA, Penny Martel, started working for him in August 2019, just a month before Sarah joined. “Generous. That’s the first word that comes to mind when I think of Russ. He’s generous not only as a boss but with everyone he meets. Even on his sales calls, he has built such great relationships with people over the years, it’s not unusual for him to turn up with homegrown produce, a plant from his garden, or a book he thinks someone would appreciate. One particular book, now out of print, he still goes out of his way to track down a copy for those he feels would benefit from reading it!”
66 LET'S GET SOCIAL
LET’S GET SOCIAL! As market leader, ResortBrokers is a familiar face at major industry conferences, giving presentations and forging the connections our sector thrives on. ARAMA TOP AWARDS BRISBANE
PRET AUSTRALIA & KNOWLEDGE BANK CHARITY GALA BALL BRISBANE
Chairman Ian Crooks, Director Tim Crooks and Brisbane Broker Jessie Shi were delighted to represent ResortBrokers in supporting the PRET Australia and Knowledge Bank Charity Gala Ball on 23 August. Attended by guest of honour, Brisbane’s Lord Mayor and Mayoress, Adrian & Nina Schrinner, this worthy endeavour raised over $213,000 on the night.
ResortBrokers swept the agency categories at the 2025 ARAMA TOP Awards, the management rights industry’s night of nights, held on 12 September at The Star Brisbane. We took home top prize — Sales Brokerage of the Year — an award we’ve been honoured to receive four times previously in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023. Not only that, but our long-time Sunshine Coast broker, Chenoa Daniel, won the Sales Broker of the Year individual award! As long-time supporters of ARAMA, it was a privilege to be recognised by the peak management rights industry body, and we thank them for their ongoing work championing our industry. Our great thanks also to our incredible management rights clients who made these awards possible.
REIQ AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE BRISBANE
ResortBrokers was a finalist for Commercial & Industrial Agency of the Year at REIQ’s 2025 Awards for Excellence held on 8 November at the Royal International Convention Centre. REIQ’s Awards for Excellence provide a stage for the Queensland profession’s stand-out performers to recognised. ResortBrokers was honoured to earn a finalist placing for this prestigious award in our 40th year.
MCADAM SIEMON ACCOMMODATION LUNCH BRISBANE
URBAN LEADER AWARDS GOLD COAST
Win! ResortBrokers’ Director Tim Crooks took home the top prize in the real estate category at The Urban Developer 2025 Urban Leader Awards, held on 30 October on the Gold Coast. Tim was a finalist for the second year in a row, and his win this time around was in recognition of his standout year, which included the sale to Minor Hotels of the 65-storey, 667-apartment Queen’s Wharf Residences, one of the largest ever management rights offerings in the Brisbane CBD. This year also saw Tim relocate to Sydney to take forward ResortBrokers’ expansion in Australia’s largest city, a move that echoed his father Ian’s pioneering move to Australia from New Zealand in 1985 to start ResortBrokers.
Huge thanks to one of our favourite associates, Rob McAdam and the crew at McAdam Siemon, for another great industry lunch on 4 September — truly a highlight of the yearly calendar. The conversation flowed, as did the vino — provided, as usual, by vintner par excellence Greg Cooley Wines.
NOVACANCY SYDNEY
ResortBrokers’ Director Tim Crooks and brokers Jacqueline Featherby, Chris Kelly, Nathan Benjamin and Sarah Hutchins flew our flag at this year’s NoVacancy, one of Australia’s largest hotel and accommodation industry expos, held at the ICC Sydney on 17-18 September.
Work with the only law firm that delivers industry leading transaction services and advice across all accommodation business types in every state and territory. Helping hundreds of resident managers, moteliers and park operators each year to acquire, sell, protect and grow their businesses. Unmatched accessibility and certainty on fees.
68 SPECIAL FEATURE
QUEST FOR
A CAUSE
GOLF
DAY ResortBrokers is always happy to get behind a worthy cause, and there’s none more deserving than the annual Quest for a Cause Golf Day.
We’ve been delighted to regularly sponsor this fantastic annual fundraiser, organised by ‘Questies’ Mark and Ky O’Shea, and Ben O’Sullivan. This year’s gathering, held on 31 October at Brookwater Golf and Country Club, Brisbane, continued to support Team Kill Cancer as in previous years, as well as Man Up Australia and Capricorn Rescue Helicopter Service — all incredibly deserving organisations. Enjoy these snaps of this great event. Keep up the great work, team. See you next year!
70 ASSOCIATE ARTICLE
MANAGEMENT RIGHTS THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE! ResortBrokers’ 40th anniversary provides a great opportunity to take stock.
Words_Amy O’Donnell, Partner, Mahoneys
This year marks the 40th anniversary of ResortBrokers. As we celebrate this anniversary, it’s an ideal opportunity to reflect on how far the management rights industry has come, the challenges and opportunities it faces today and the promising road ahead. THE EARLY DAYS: SIMPLER TIMES, RAPID GROWTH There was a time, when management rights transactions were refreshingly simple. Due diligence periods were often just 14 days, finance approvals followed swiftly, and body corporate consent was typically obtained within weeks (not months). Bodies corporate rarely involved lawyers, and the overall process of buying or selling a management rights business was relatively smooth and efficient. Over the past 25 years, as the industry developed and more and more strata schemes were built, the industry has boomed. While initially the industry focused on holiday lettings on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, it now includes permanent residential and mixed-use complexes. THE PRESENT: A MATURE INDUSTRY WITH MODERN COMPLEXITIES Today, the management rights industry has evolved into a sophisticated, multibillion-dollar sector that intersects real estate, hospitality, property law and business management.
While transactions are no longer straightforward — thanks to growing legal complexity, more involved bodies corporate and generally a longer process — the core model remains strong and resilient. Managementrights businesses continue to offer valuable services to both unit owners and guests. The reality is that the modern management rights operator must be more than just a caretaker or letting agent. Today’s successful operators are businesspeople, relationship managers, communicators and problem solvers. They navigate complex legislation, balance the needs of diverse stakeholders and deliver value — not only for the remuneration they receive, but for the long-term success and harmony of the community they manage. AN INDUSTRY OF QUIET ACHIEVERS In the hustle of daily operations, it’s easy to overlook the many positives of our industry. For every difficult dispute or legal hurdle, there are countless examples of committed, professional managers who provide immense value to their communities. Reflecting on the industry, the most successful management rights operators often share a number of key traits: • Pride in presentation: The condition and appearance of a complex reflects the standard of its manager. • Respect for value: Understanding that bodies corporate and owners expect
— and deserve — value for the remuneration paid. • Balanced communication: A firm, diplomatic and consultative approach to dealing with committees and lot owners. • Strong interpersonal skills: The ability to genuinely connect, listen and communicate effectively with residents and stakeholders. THE REALITY CHECK FOR NEW ENTRANTS There’s a reason management rights are seen as an attractive business opportunity. They combine property investment with a reliable income stream and a desirable lifestyle. However, newcomers to the industry should not be under any illusion — management rights require real work. No one will pay a significant sum for a manager to do very little. Owners are within their rights to expect their manager to deliver on their duties. But when those duties are fulfilled with diligence, professionalism and respect, problems are few and far between. LOOKING AHEAD: CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES As we look to the future, the management rights industry will continue to face both challenges and evolution: • The strata living trend is here to stay, meaning demand for
71 competent, onsite managers will remain strong. • Disputes between committees and underperforming managers will continue to arise, as will challenges from difficult committee members or residents. • The ever-present potential for legislative change — including reforms to the Body Corporate and Community Management Act or module definitions — will keep operators and advisors on their toes. But while these hurdles are real, they are not insurmountable. The industry’s resilience, adaptability and professionalisation over the past four decades have prepared it well for the future. A BRIGHT FUTURE ANCHORED IN RELATIONSHIPS The continued success of the management rights model depends not just on contracts and compliance, but on relationships.
Well-maintained and well-managed complexes are important, but so too is open, proactive communication. Successful managers build strong relationships with committees, body corporate managers, owners and residents. They keep people informed, encourage two-way dialogue and respond early when issues arise. This approach doesn’t eliminate challenges, but it builds goodwill and trust, which are invaluable in resolving them.
a key pillar of Queensland’s property and tourism economy. The journey is far from over. The future of management rights remains bright — rooted in history, shaped by experience and sustained by the relationships at its heart. END
Not every owner or committee will be easy to please. But when a manager consistently delivers high standards, communicates clearly and acts with professionalism and care, they are far more likely to win long-term support — and success. A LEGACY STILL IN THE MAKING As ResortBrokers celebrates 40 years in business, the management rights industry also takes a moment to reflect. What began as a niche coastal business model has evolved into
AMY O'DONNELL PARTNER, MAHONEYS
72 ASSOCIATE ARTICLE
THE NEED TO REGISTER LEASES Registration of leases is often an oversight in the settlement process for the purchase of motels and caravan parks — don’t let it be you. Words_ David Adolphe, Principal, DC Adolphe Legal
With the increased use of electronic settlements of sales of leasehold motels and caravan parks where a new lease is lodged for registration on settlement, it is important to consider these issues prior to settlement.
lease generally creates only an equitable interest, which may not bind a purchaser or mortgagee of the land.
THE LEGAL EFFECT OF REGISTRATION
In both states, a lease for a term (including options) exceeding three years must be registered to operate as a legal estate.
The lease creates contractual rights and obligations between landlord and tenant. The lease also grants the tenant an interest in the land. For leases shorter than three years, all states and territories of Australia have legislation which automatically grants a legal estate for a tenant without registration of the lease on title. However, for leases which are longer than three years the tenant will only be granted an equitable estate unless the lease is registered, in which case the tenant obtains a legal estate (see Victorian exception below). The difference between an equitable estate and legal estate is that with an equitable estate the tenant will have more limited rights to enforce against a purchaser or other party that may have a subsequent interest in the land. In all three states, leases for terms exceeding three years (including options) should be registered to ensure that the tenant’s interest “runs with the land.” An unregistered long-term
QUEENSLAND AND NEW SOUTH WALES
Registration is achieved by lodging a lease in the approved form with the relevant land registry. In Queensland, leases are registered using the Titles Queensland elodgement service. In New South Wales, leases are registered using PEXA. VICTORIA Victoria is often viewed as an exception to the general requirement to register long leases because legislation in that state provides that the interest of a registered proprietor of land will be free from all encumbrances except (among other things) the interest of a tenant in possession of the land. This means that a tenant’s interest will be protected against a subsequent registered owner of the land regardless of the length of the lease. However, this exception will not cover any grant of an option to purchase the land which will not be protected and
therefore not enforceable against a subsequent registered proprietor. Victorian legislation does permit registration of leases exceeding three years and registration is recommended to ensure an option to purchase the land, a common feature of a motel or caravan park lease, is protected. Registration will also give notice to any potential freehold purchasers or mortgagees of the tenant’s interest and provide a basis for a transfer of the interest to a leasehold purchaser.
MORTGAGEE CONSENT Where the land is subject to a registered mortgage, consent of the mortgagee to the lease must be obtained before the lease is registered on title. Failure to obtain mortgagee consent before registration may result in a mortgagee in possession of the land not being bound by the lease and selling the land with vacant possession meaning the tenant may lose their business. This requirement also applies to amendments and variations to leases — such as term extensions, rent variations or changes of use — since each alters the mortgagee’s security.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Registration of leases enhances certainty, transparency and marketability of leasehold businesses. They allow purchasers and financiers to verify lease terms through a title search, reducing the risk of dispute and supporting efficient property transactions. Registered leases also provide a means for lenders to take security over a lease by registering a mortgage of the lease. For tenants, registration ensures security of tenure and continuity of business even if the property changes hands. For landlords, compliance with registration and consent obligations maintains lender confidence and preserves property value. Parties to a sale and purchase of motels and caravan parks with grants of new leases or amendments to a lease increasing the term or granting further options should take steps early to obtain mortgagee consent and be ready for registration on settlement. END
72
Associate Article
Acc.Adolphe Spec. (Bus.) - Qld David
Special Counsel, Enyo Lawyers M. 0410 644 246 BA LLB LLM Acc. Spec. (Bus.) - Qld E. david@enyolawyers.com.au
Principal M: 0410 644 246 David Adolphe is a Queensland Law Society Ac E: david@dcadolphe.com.au
Business Law specialist and has been in practic He has isadvised clientsLaw in Society all manner of business David Adolphe a Queensland Accredited specialist and has been in and hos andBusiness takes aLaw specific interest in tourism practicematters. for 20 years. He has advised clients in all David takes a practical approach to de manner of business transactions and takes a special best possible strategic legal advice to clients o interest in tourism and hospitality matters. of business and commercial law matters. David takes a practical approach to delivering the best possible strategic legal advice to clients on all aspects of business and commercial law matters.
Enyo Lawyers is a leading boutique commerci litigation firm with offices in Brisbane, Gold Co Melbourne. The firm focuses on delivering effic for clients in small to large sized commercial en
74 ASSOCIATE ARTICLE
LEGACY ON THE LINE: RESPONDING TO DISPUTES Lengthy agreements in management rights mean that some businesses thrive on a legacy of performance, satisfaction, wealth and happiness, while others may suffer from a legacy of recorded disputes. Words_Michael Young, Senior Associate, Bugden Allen Group Legal
A highly visible, and often feared, type of dispute between an operator and a body corporate is when a body corporate issues one or more Remedial Action Notices to the operator. WHAT IS A REMEDIAL ACTION NOTICE? A Remedial Action Notice, or RAN for short, is a formal notice from a body corporate that it “believes” the caretaker/letting agent has: (a) engaged in misconduct or been grossly negligent in carrying out their functions under the agreement; (b) f ailed to carry out their duties under the engagement; or (c) (if both a caretaker and a letting agent) contravened the code of conduct for caretaking service contractors. A RAN acts as a statutory precursor or ‘first step’ for a body corporate seeking either: (a) to performance manage the operator and help them ‘get back on track’; or (b) ( more commonly, and the common reason for fear) to terminate the agreements that form the management rights business. Unfortunately, “belief” as a requirement can be highly subjective and goes both ways, and all too often fits the description of being “an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially without proof.”
Even if you are (or think you are) an amazing operator, performing your role to perfection, if a body corporate committee believes otherwise, you could still end up on the wrong end of a RAN. R.E.A.C.T. After receiving a RAN, an operator’s life tends to get a whole lot more hectic for about 14 to 30 days or so, depending on the specifics of the RAN and the relevant agreement. A panic response is never an appropriate solution. Instead, often the best course of action is to keep calm and R.E.A.C.T. That is: R — Read and Record Read the RAN carefully the moment it arrives. Note important information, such as the date received, the deadline for compliance, and exactly what breach or breaches are alleged. Issues can easily compound because the notice is skimmed through, not taken seriously, or a due date is missed. E — Examine Examine the notice for defects. For example, was it properly authorised, does it clearly identify the complaint (e.g. the duty breached?), and does it provide for a reasonable period of time to rectify the issues complained about? A — Assemble Your Evidence Assemble your emails, agreements, plans, logs, performance records, maintenance records, photos, invoices,
quotes, proposals and any other piece of relevant information straight away. As an example, if the complaint is that the hedges haven’t been trimmed, take a photo of all the hedges as they exist on the date the RAN was received, before you do anything to them. That will be your evidence as to the state of the hedges on the date of the RAN. If trimming is required, attend and then photograph the result. This provides clear evidence of what was, and now is, and is crucial if the dispute escalates further. C — Communicate and Clarify Communication can be tricky after receiving a RAN. Going silent can be disastrous — ignoring the problem only makes it worse. But firing off bursts of emails scolding the committee for daring to issue you with a RAN, or seeking to rouse support from owners, can be just as (if not more so) damaging. Instead, when responding to the committee (or any lot owner), always take a moment to assess your communication. Is it short, to the point, polite and free from accusations or complaints? If not, trim it down until it is, keeping it simple and straightforward. T — Take Advice and Take (Appropriate) Action Take legal advice regarding the RAN, your options and next steps. Acting early, with appropriate advice, may, in the best case, result in escalation being avoided and a resolution being achieved. Alternatively, in the worst case, it means you will be prepared and ready if the dispute does escalate into a termination dispute. MAINTAINING YOUR OWN LEGACY Getting your reaction to a RAN right can be the difference between triumphant validation and costly consequences. However, if you P.R.E.P.A.R.E in advance (which I’ll cover in the next issue of Informer), you can be ready to prevent almost all but the most ridiculous beliefs of a body corporate from taking root in your business’s legacy. If you have received a RAN or think you might be about to be caught up in a dispute with your body corporate, please reach out for a discussion about how you should react (michael.young@bagl.com.au). END
SOLD PROPERTIES 77
OUR DEALS SETTLE SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
ASTERS ON JAMES MOTOR INN SOUTH TOOWOOMBA, QLD
HIGHPOINT APARTMENTS TOWNSVILLE CITY, QLD
ALTITUDE APARTMENTS WILSONTON, QLD
KAMAROOKA TOURIST PARK ST GEORGE, QLD
GREENWICH SURFERS PARADISE, QLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
LISMORE FAIR DINKUM MOTEL LISMORE, NSW
AQUARIUS RESORT ALEXANDRA HEADLAND, QLD
THE ESPLANADE MOTEL WARNERS BAY, NSW
WHYALLA CARAVAN & TOURIST PARK MULLAQUANA, SA
PROXIMITY WATERFRONT APARTMENTS REDCLIFFE, QLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
WINTON HOTEL WINTON, QLD
SEBEL MELBOURNE MALVERN MELBOURNE, VIC
TULLAH LAKESIDE LODGE TULLAH, TAS
TOUCHDOWN COTTAGES JINDABYNE, NSW
THE CORSO MAROOCHYDORE, QLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
COMFORT INN CAPITAL HORSHAM HORSHAM, VIC
QUEEN'S WHARF RESIDENCES BRISBANE, QLD
QUEST MAITLAND MAITLAND, NSW
LAKE HAMILTON MOTOR VILLAGE & CARAVAN PARK HAMILTON, VIC
VIDORRA DAKABIN, QLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
QUEST SALE SALE, VIC
MANOR APARTMENT HOTEL BRISBANE, QLD
HAMILTON LAKESIDE MOTEL HAMILTON, VIC
PORT GREGORY CARAVAN PARK GREGORY, WA
POINTS NORTH APARTMENTS COOLANGATTA, QLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
ROYAL MOTEL MILES MILES, QLD
HIGH STREET PORTFOLIO SIPPY DOWNS, QLD
MOTEL LE GRANDE ORANA, WA
SECLUDE RAINFOREST RETREAT NARRANDERA, NSW
THE CHELSEA APARTMENTS BOWEN HILLS, QLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
MURWILLUMBAH MOTOR INN MURWILLUMBAH, NSW
CALAM PLACE & SUNNY BREEZE CALAMVALE, QLD
SUNRISE MOTEL BAROOGA, NSW
WATERVIEW MOTEL SUSSEX INLET, NSW
ALLEGRA APARTMETNS SOUTHPORT, QLD
78 REGULAR FEATURES
RELIEF MANAGERS
Need A Break?
This is simply a directory service that we provide to assist you. Should you choose to go on holiday or take a break, we recommend you interview and qualify relief managers yourself, before hiring. You’ll find more managers listed on our website: resortbrokers.com.au/buy/reliefmanagers
GLEN & WENDY WHALER
VICKI CULLEN & ANDY NAILARD
DENISE & LINDSAY WATSON
Motels New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania
Motels Nationwide
Motels, Caravan Parks Nationwide except Tasmania
0411 738 821 wendywhaler@outlook.com
0431 847 541 flagstaffalpacas@gmail.com
0411 837 101 or 0468 538 437 denisewatson12@bigpond.com
DAVID & DIANE MCCARTHY
VICTORIA MCDONOUGH & BRENDAN HUGHES
MARK HOOPER
Nationwide Motels (2-4 weeks at a time)
Motels East Coast
Australia & New Zealand Management Rights, Motels, Resorts, Camping Grounds
0477 077 457 dmcc4551@bigpond.com
0412 138 642 vickymcdonough@bigpond.com.au
0416 373 154 ozhooper@gmail.com
ERIKA HAJDU
ROGER ANDREWS & JILLIAN CAIN
RICHARD TEMPLE
Resorts and Motels Queensland
Hotels & Motels VIC & SA
All property types Australia Wide
0435 790 422 hajdu.erika03@gmail.com
0488 780 071 0403 021 504 jilliancain@optusnet.com.au
0412 567 214 richard@rmtsolutions.com.au
SABINA WUNSCH
CARMEL MOLONEY
DAVID & SANDRA CAIRNS
All property types, Australia Wide
Motels QLD Coast
Management Rights QLD
0413 155 648 info@swmotelyadvisory.com.au
0400 483 291 c.m.j64@hotmail.com
0411 335 539 moretonbeachhouse@bigpond.com
79
CHRISTINE WILMOTT
PAUL GLYNN
GRANT SKINNER
All property types QLD
Hotels, Resorts, Motels, Serviced Apartments Australia Wide
Management Rights Nationwide
0413 452 263 christine.09@bigpond.com
0403 807 726 pglynn@essentialservicehotels.com.au
0408 996 188 grantandjuliet@bigpond.com
THE GOOD KNIGHTS
SUE BARTON
MARTIN & LOMA BARNARD
All property types Nationwide
Motels Nationwide
Strata Complexes, Resorts & Motels Australia Wide, with QLD & NSW preference
0412 005 537 info@thegoodknights.com.au
0432 411 900 bartonsue@rocketmail.com
0403 364 008 dixlin1962@gmail.com
PAUL & TANYA GREEN
SCOTT & LIN MCKENZIE
KARLA HARDING
All property types NSW
Management Rights Brisbane Only
Holiday & Serviced Apartments, Resorts, Boutique Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts
0411 874 392 tanyacooper1@msn.com
0451 010 117 scott@mcwu.com.au
0414 767 499 karla.boutiqueaccomrelief@outlook.com
KAREN & ROBERT NISBET
KLARA ALLE & JOAO TOLINO
LINLEY & ALISON MADDICK
Motel & Caravan Parks Nationwide
Motels Nationwide
Motels QLD and NSW
0427 933 414 0488 934 899 karen.nisbet70@gmail.com.au
03 5918 2535 0414 181 310 joaotolino@hotmail.com
0432 008 988 alisonandlinley@icloud.com
THOMAS GRAF
CHRIS CAMPBELL
KRISTY & LANCE BUTT
Management Rights, Motels, Caravan Parks & Resorts, Nationwide
Motel & Management Rights Nationwide
All property types QLD & NSW
0438 014 035 07 4032 1573 tomas49@me.com
0449 957 414 cj.jwcampbell@gmail.com
0428 902 878 kristymay22@outlook.com
PAUL KIRKPATRICK
CHARLIE MILLINGTON & JACKY RYAN
PAUL & ARLENE MOORE
Nationwide All Property Types
Motel & Caravan Parks Nationwide
Motels Nationwide
0419 675 671 paul.kirkpatrick@gmail.com
07 4622 3221 jacquelineryan1@bigpond.com
0404 855 711 pfandammoore@live.com
RESORTBROKERS.COM.AU
80
80 WHAT'S COOL
WHAT'S COOL IN
THE INDUSTRY For our last Informer for calendar year 2025, Director of New Developments & Hotels Tim Crooks checks out the world’s best hotels to see in/out the New Year.
TIM CROOKS M: 0422 208 450
COPACABANA PALACE RIO DE JANIERO, BRAZIL
You can’t say Brazil’s sexiest city doesn’t know how to party. Over two million people gravitate to Rio’s iconic Copacabana Beach for New Year’s — called Réveillon — a potpourri of live music, fireworks, samba and cultural rituals that see revellers don white to honour the sea goddess Lemanjá. One of the top places to witness this marvel is the five-star Belmond hotel Copacabana Palace — a beachfront beauty for over a century that has welcomed guests including the late Princess Diana. Here you can feel like royalty yourself, while seeing in the New Year in style at Copacabana Beach’s most regal hotel. belmond.com/hotels/south-america/brazil/rio-de-janeiro/belmond-copacabana-palace
AMAN NEW YORK
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
THE EDGEWATER RESORT & SPA RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS
Part of Accor’s Sofitel brand since 1992, the Metropole is arguably Vietnam’s grandest hotel. Opened in 1901, the Metropole has hosted some of the most famous people of the 20th century: actors Charlie Chaplin, Michael Caine, Roger Moore and Jane Fonda (while protesting The Vietnam War), authors W. Somerset Maugham, Noël Coward and André Malraux, Cuban leader Fidel Castro, rockstar Mick Jagger, brainiac Stephen Hawking and politicians too many to list (though we’ll namecheck our own Paul Keating who, in 1994, became the first Aussie PM to visit Vietnam). In 2019, the Metropole hosted the second summit in the blossoming bromance between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. edgewater.co.ck
Arguably the most anticipated ball drop outside the natural world, the Times Square Ball’s iconic descent is watched by a million revellers in person. This quintessential New York New Year's tradition started in 1907, and is now a televised extravaganza featuring live performances and a confetti drop (1,400 kg of the stuff) watched by over 175 million Americans and an estimated one billion worldwide. Aman New York will get you up close and personal to this spectacle of Americana, but it doesn’t come cheap — their least expensive rooms for New Year’s start around AU$15,000 per night. Pay it off next year. aman.com/hotels/aman-new-york
REGULAR FEATURE 81
MEET OUR TEAM
Introducing ResortBrokers' national team of accommodation business and property brokers. We are the industry experts at your service in every state and territory.
IAN CROOKS
TRUDY CROOKS
TIM CROOKS
CARLA COOK
Chairman Nationwide
Managing Director Nationwide
Director of New Developments & Hotels, Nationwide
Director of Marketing & Strategy, Nationwide
0411 171 648 ian@resortbrokers.com.au
0477 882 210 trudy@resortbrokers.com.au
0422 208 450 tim@resortbrokers.com.au
0467 600 610 carla@resortbrokers.com.au
ALEX COOK
MARISSA VON STIEGLITZ
CAITLIN O’HALPIN
GABBY CHALMERS
Director Nationwide
National Sales Manager & Tasmanian Specialist
EA to Tim Crooks & Alex Cook
EA to Trudy Crooks
0467 600 610 alex@resortbrokers.com.au
0437 198 164 marissa@resortbrokers.com.au
07 3878 3999 caitlin@resortbrokers.com.au
07 3878 3999 gabby@resortbrokers.com.au
JESSIE SHI
JEFF KEAST
NATHAN BENJAMIN
JOSH MANGLESON
Specialist Accommodation Broker, Brisbane
Specialist Accommodation Broker, Brisbane
Specialist Accommodation Broker, Brisbane
Property Economist
0422 935 428 jessie@resortbrokers.com.au
0414 669 007 jeff@resortbrokers.com.au
0459 955 649 nathan@resortbrokers.com.au
07 3878 3999 josh@resortbrokers.com.au
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82 REGULAR FEATURE
TODD WARNER
CLINT AMOS
NATHAN BOCK
MIGUEL BOZINA
Senior Specialist Accommodation Broker, Gold Coast South
Specialist Accommodation Broker, Northern Gold Coast
Specialist Accommodation Broker, Central Gold Coast
Specialist Accommodation Broker, Gold Coast & Northern NSW
0438 170 763 todd@resortbrokers.com.au
0482 061 261 clint@resortbrokers.com.au
0412 634 277 nathan.b@resortbrokers.com.au
0419 848 444 miguel@resortbrokers.com.au
TANIA JOHNSTON
CHENOA DANIEL
DAVID FAIERS
LEAH BURSZTYNOWICZ
Specialist Accommodation Broker, Fraser Coast, Bundaberg & North Burnett Region
Senior Specialist Accommodation Broker, Sunshine Coast
Senior Specialist Accommodation Broker, Queensland
Specialist Accommodation Broker, Far North Queensland
0408 770 929 tania@resortbrokers.com.au
0403 143 151 chenoa@resortbrokers.com.au
0432 766 788 davidf@resortbrokers.com.au
0403 143 151 leah@resortbrokers.com.au
STEVEN STYLES
JOSHUA ROBERTS
KELLI CROUCH, 312872 RLA
CHRIS KELLY
Specialist Accommodation Broker, Townsville and Surrounds
Specialist Accommodation Broker, Mid North Coast NSW & New England
Senior Specialist Accommodation Broker, SA & NT
Senior Specialist Accommodation Broker, NSW Central West
0488 044 981 steven@resortbrokers.com.au
0439 654 464 joshua@resortbrokers.com.au
0410 441 750 kelli@resortbrokers.com.au
0431 055 221 chris@resortbrokers.com.au
SARAH HUTCHINS
JACQUELINE FEATHERBY
TRISTAN MEARS
BLAIR MACDONALD
Specialist Accommodation Broker, NSW South Coast
Specialist Accommodation Broker, NSW Central Coast, Hunter & Blue Mountains
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Specialist Accommodation Broker, Western Australia
0407 020 443 sarah@resortbrokers.com.au
0424 497 056 jacqueline@resortbrokers.com.au
0408 236 420 tristan@resortbrokers.com.au
0433 149 144 blair@resortbrokers.com.au
CHRIS BOSCHETTI
HUGH THOMAS
RYAN KIDD
ELLEN O'NEILL
Specialist Accommodation Broker, East Victoria
Specialist Accommodation Broker, West Victoria
Senior Graphic Designer
Graphic Designer
0428 812 434 chrisb@resortbrokers.com.au
0420 996 319 hugh@resortbrokers.com.au
07 3878 3999 ryan@resortbrokers.com.au
07 3878 3999 ellen@resortbrokers.com.au
COURTNEY STAUNTON
KIRSTEN JOHNSON
LUKE PALMER
MARNIE DUDLEY
Events Manager & Graphic Designer
Head of Administration, Nationwide
Administration Officer
Administration Assistant
07 3878 3999 courtney@resortbrokers.com.au
07 3878 3999 kirsten@resortbrokers.com.au
07 3878 3999 luke@resortbrokers.com.au
07 3878 3999 marnie@resortbrokers.com.au
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