In ep 08 of Raising the Bar, we sit down with Suzana Wade from Locate Property, a seasoned property manager who knows the ins and outs of the rental market.

Suzana shares practical advice for tenants on what landlords really look for in applications and why being genuine and transparent can set you apart.

We also get candid about the real challenges property managers face every day - from managing burnout and tough tenant situations to juggling long days across town. Suzana reveals how caring for people and staying consistent has helped her maintain a rare five-star Google rating in a tough industry.

Whether you’re a landlord searching for a specialist property manager or a tenant wanting to make your application stand out, this episode offers honest, down-to-earth insights that cut through the noise.

Support the show

Our guest for ep 07 is Anthony Bartzis, founder of Southern Cross Building Inspections and a qualified architect, builder and property developer.

In this ep, we unpack what’s actually covered in a building and pest inspection, what gets missed and why first home buyers need to be asking more questions.

We talk about how long a building and pest inspection takes and what it includes, the big red flags buyers overlook and smart advice for first home buyers before making their first big move.

Whether you're buying your first home or your tenth, this is a must listen for anyone serious about property.

Support the show

Our ep 06 guest is Vass Stammes - the founder of VMS Town Planning and the creator of PropCheck.

From working on major projects like West Village, to helping everyday mum and dad developers split a block in Brisbane, Vass knows the ins and outs of Queensland town planning for property development!

George chats with Vass about how to pick a splittable block, hidden things to watch out for that can increase costs, and the process / timeline of splitting, and rough costs.

If you’ve ever thought about splitting a block, doing a subdivision in Brisbane, or just want to understand town planning rules in QLD, this one’s for you.

Support the show

Our guest for episode 05 is Ric Medlin from The Home Buyer Helper, an experienced buyer’s agent who knows Brisbane’s south side inside out, especially the Wynnum/Manly property market.

Ric explains the ultimate buyer’s agent guide to smooth property settlements. He covers why having someone conduct your property inspections when you can’t be there is crucial, how to confidently handle building and pest inspections, and the importance of acting quickly during property settlement negotiations.

George and Ric have an honest conversation about the value of local real estate knowledge, building trust with clients, and knowing when to refer buyers outside your area.

If you want real, practical insights from a buyer’s agent who genuinely cares about getting it right, this episode is for you.

Support the show

Episode 04 of Raising the Bar is live. 🎙️

George sits down with auction specialist Kosma Comino to chat all things auctions - the process, the risks, and the rewards. 🏡

They cover why auctions are on the rise in QLD, the power of preparation and why Kosma believes auctions are the best path to premium results. 🪧

If you’re in property, you’ll want to hear this.

Support the show

Episode 03 of Raising the Bar is live! 🎙️

George chats with Kosma Comino, once a young mechanic earning $250 a week, now one of Brisbane’s most recognised suburb specialists. 🔧➡️🏡

Kosma is a partner at LJ Hooker Property Partners (Mt Gravatt and Sunnybank Hills).

They talk backing yourself, the power of mentorship and why doing the hard yards early can pay off big time. 💪

🎧 Listen now.

Support the show

Our second guest is prestige real estate agent Michael Bacon.

Starting as the youngest team member in his office, Michael used his early experience to his advantage. From selling studio apartments to high-end prestige homes, he shares insights on building momentum, backing yourself, and having the right people on the bus.

Michael is now a Director at Place Estate Agents, Kangaroo Point.

George sits down with Michael for an honest chat about the real estate industry, resilience, and what it takes to stand out for all the right reasons.

Support the show

Our first guest? George’s mum, Joanne Sourris.

She built her own law firm while raising the guy behind Empire Legal (plus two more kids) so yep, she’s got stories.

In this warm, honest and slightly iconic episode, George sits down with Joanne to chat about the QLD property world, resilience and what it’s really like being a female sole trader juggling business and family.

They cover everything from early career challenges, to a $0 marketing spend, to what has (and hasn’t) changed in the legal industry.

Support the show