Real Estate FROM COAST TO COUNTRY
Ag e n t o f t h e w e e k
OUR AGENT of the Week is Ash Witty, co-owner at Harcourts Aspire and one of the go-to agents for buying and selling luxury properties. Before going into real estate, Ash worked as an event manager for major consumer exhibitions, which brought him to the Gold Coast. When the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre opened, he helped create and run the first car, motorcycle, and boat shows there. Suddenly responsible for managing large-scale exhibitions - “completely out of my depth, if I’m honest”, Ash used the old “fake it till you make it” approach, and that experience cemented his desire to call the Gold Coast, and later the Tweed Coast, home. We caught up with Ash to find out more.
What inspired you to go into real estate?
After more than ten years working in national media - essentially living out of a suitcase - I transitioned into running sales and marketing workshops and consulting for privately owned businesses. Around the same time, my wife landed a role at a local real estate office in Coolangatta, then BMG Property. I met with owner Ben Gazal who said if I implemented my sales and marketing knowledge into my own business as an agent, and used it to benefit my own clients, I’d be a great success in this business.
I worked with Ben as an agent for six years, and today he’s my business partner and still a great mentor of mine at Harcourts Aspire. Do you have particular types of property where you feel you have more expertise? My strengths are best utilised in the higher-end segment of the market. Buyers and sellers at this level tend to be more experienced, which is where my refined sales and marketing strategies truly make a difference. They respect honesty, transparency, and attention to detail. There’s a higher level of accountability that keeps you sharp. If you make a mistake here it can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and potentially your career. But if you’re providing genuine value it can be worth hundreds of thousands to your clients.
What’s the hottest segment of the Tweed Shire property market right now?
Waterfront homes are in extremely high demand. More boaties around the country are discovering just how good the Tweed River system really is.
Who is buying, and what types of sellers are you seeing?
In the higher-end market, I’m seeing a lot of local buyers upgrading or upsizing.
Open Homes All times are DST unless specified.
Saturday, January 17 Schmith Estate Agents
• 14/98-102 Keith Compton Drive Tweed Heads, 10.30–
There’s also strong enquiry from outside the area, particularly from capital cities, along with a healthy stream of overseas buyers. Local buyers, and many from Brisbane, often have a better grasp of true market value and greater confidence in local pricing. In several cases, this has resulted in local buyers outperforming out-of-area or overseas purchasers.
Are you seeing many first home buyers using government schemes, and how is that affecting the market?
Absolutely. While this isn’t a price segment I regularly service, I’ve recently handled two referred clients - both units in Tweed Heads - that were ideal for first home buyers. Both properties sold with multiple offers from first home buyers within the first week.
What are the biggest challenges facing the industry, and what are your thoughts on interest rates?
I don’t believe interest rates will have a major negative impact on property prices. During the last aggressive raterise cycle, property prices continued to
• 1444/6-8 Stuart St, Tweed Heads, 10.45–11.15am • 33 Inlet Dr, Tweed Heads West, 11–11.30am • 1/42-44 Thomson St, Tweed Heads, 11.30–12pm • 4/27 Dutton St, Coolangatta, 11.30–12pm QLD Time • 42 Karingal Ave, Bilambil Heights, 12–12.30pm
Raine and Horne Jet
• 45 William Street, Murwillumbah, 9.30–10am • 17 Charles Street, Murwillumbah, 9.30–10am • 16 Lamington Way, Murwillumbah, 10.30–11am • 27 Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah, 10.30–11am DJ Stringer • 35 Park Avenue, Bray Park, 11.30–12pm • 175 Tweed Valley Way, South Murwillumbah, 9–9.30am • 187 Tweed Valley Way, South Murwillumbah, 11.30– 12pm • 9/277 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga, 9–9.30am QLD Time • 45 Fernvale Road, Fernvale, 12.30–1.30pm • 5/5-10 Quayside Ct, Tweed Heads, 10–10.30am • 18 Flinders Way, Ocean Shores, 1–1.30pm • 1091/14-22 Stuart St, Tweed Heads, 10–10.30am
11am • 3/2 Hill Street Tweed Heads, 12–12.30pm • 49 Dixon Street Coolangatta, 10–10.30am QLD TIME
increase. If higher rates do slow the price growth trajectory, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In reality, the biggest beneficiaries of rising property prices are property agents, banks, and government and frankly, those groups don’t need any more money right now. I don’t see prices slowing down anytime soon unless we see a severe economic downturn or global conflict. A lack of affordable unit and apartment development means there’s limited availability for downsizers and first home buyers. That’s why sub-$1 million apartments are selling within days. If people can’t buy, they can’t sell which restricts supply even further and places real pressure on locals buying and selling in the same market. I see that stress firsthand.
What do you do in your spare time?
We bought a fixer-upper house, so weekends often include a renovation or repair list from my wife waiting for me after open homes. I have a wonderful, very active, family with four kids, which means nippers, coaching junior rugby league, plenty of sports and school events and I surf a lot. I’m part of the “Tweed Coast Shuffle,” driving up and down the coast chasing surf from Fingal to Cabarita, though we usually end up in the same old spot at Casuarina.
First National Murwillumbah
• 28 Tweed Street, Murwillumbah,9–9.30am • 23 Baker Street, Murwillumbah,10–10.30am • 3 Rowlands Creek Road, Uki,10–10.30am • 98 Glencoe Road, North Arm,11–11.30am
Tate Brownlee Real Estate
• 16 Grasmerre Court, Banora Point, 9–9.30am • 1/9 Kildare Dr, Banora Point, 10–10.30am • 35 Oakland Parade, Banora Point,10–10.30am • 7/2 Rosella Close, Tweed Heads South, 11–11.30am • 1 Chadburn Lane, Chinderah,12–12.30pm • 16 Grassmere Court, Banora Point,12–12.30pm • 13 Cobaki Road, Tweed Heads West, 1–1.30pm • 52 Kingscliff Street, Kingscliff,1–1.30pm • 29 Parkes Lane, Terranora, 2–2.30pm • 19 Ocean Ave , Tweed Heads South, 2–2.30pm
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Over the past six months, we have been working closely with a well-known and highly respected national real estate brand. Following careful consideration, we are proud to announce that Jason and Elizabeth will be joining Raine & Horne as franchise owners, trading as Raine & Horne Jet. From 15 January 2026, we will no longer trade under JET Real Estate. Our company name remains Jet Property Consultants Pty Ltd, now trading as Raine & Horne Jet. This move allows us to continue offering the same trusted local service, supported by the strength, reach, and over 140 years of real estate expertise that Raine & Horne provides.
Elizabeth Hickey 0474 908 555
Tania Sheppard 0438 446 578
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Same people, new brand.
Jason Dittmar 0477 711 858