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🎧 Discover the agents behind the For Sale signs and the sales pitch.
Elite Real Estate Agents of SEQ is the go-to podcast for anyone buying, selling, or simply curious about the people driving Southeast Queensland’s dynamic real estate market.
Hosted by Adam Bell, each episode features a genuine, down-to-earth conversation with one of the region’s top-performing real estate agents. From the Gold Coast to Brisbane and everywhere in between, these agents share their personal stories, expert insights, and what it really takes to succeed in a competitive market.
✅ Learn how top agents win listings, build trust, and deliver results
✅ Get local property insights straight from the people making the deals happen
✅ Find out what to look for in a great agent—beyond just a flashy billboard
✅ Meet the agent who could be the perfect fit for your property journey
Whether you’re a homeowner researching agents, an investor watching the market, or a fellow agent looking for inspiration, this podcast puts a spotlight on the real people behind real estate in SEQ.
Welcome to the Elite Real Estate agents of SEQ podcast, where I sit down with some of the most successful and respected real estate agents working right here in one of Australia's most beautiful and sought after regions southeast Queensland. This podcast gives you a genuine behind the scenes look at who these agents are as people, what makes them stand out in the industry.
And most importantly, can help you decide if they're the right fit to guide your property journey. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation. You might just be listening to the perfect
person to sell your property.
Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the Elite Real Estate Agents of Southeast Queensland. Now today's guest is Jeannine Farrell from Landmark Sales Property Group in Arundel, a longtime local expert and one of the most trusted names in the Arundel and Parkwood area with decades of experience. A strong.
Track record for results and multiple agent and agency of the year wins for Arundel. Jeannine has built a reputation around integrity, strong negotiation, and genuine local knowledge. Jeannine, welcome to the podcast.
Wow. Thank you for that lovely introduction.
You are welcome. Look, I'm really looking forward to this one because as you are aware, I'm actually an Arundel resident, so Yes.
And
aren't we lucky?
I know. What, what, what do you call it?
Awesome Arundel.
Awesome Arundel.
Yes. We get very excited when people move to the area.
We do, yes,
we do one thing and love it as much as us.
One thing I explained to my son the other day, which he didn't realize, is, and this is one little quirk about a Rundle, a Rundle Plaza shopping center is in Parkwood.
True. I know.
It's on the other side of that. It's on the other side of Napa Road. It's so weird, isn't it?
It is.
Um, but, um, alright, so what. What originally drew you into real estate? Because it's a family business, isn't it? And um, founded by your mother?
Yes, yes. I'm really proud of, um, our little family business.
But, um, when I was five sitting at the dining table and all my, um, all the conversations were around real estate at the table. Both my sister and I were just roll our eyes and go, can we talk about something else, please? So, um, no, so we just grew up in the family business, but it wasn't something I wanted to do initially.
I wanted to. Um, get some life experience and do other things, but it wasn't until later in life that I looked at my mother one day and I said, oh, you're so busy. Do you want me to help you? So, um, one thing led to another and, um, we started working together.
Wow. Okay. Did
it
life,
did it
originate in the Arundel area?
Actually, no. We were, I went to school in Southport and I was wearing my, we were wearing ourselves a bit thin driving on that back highway and rushing to open homes all day. And then one day I just said, mom, why don't we do more on a rundle? And she said, ah. Yeah, what a great idea. So it was just, it actually just happened a bit naturally at the time too.
So I was out walking my dogs and people were selling their homes and had a bit of a chat and I said, why don't you get my mum to help you when one lady was really struggling to sell her home, and, um, and we don't jump on other people's listings, but the signboard was actually on a lean and she looked a bit sad.
And I said, do you want me to help put your signboard off and, um, maybe, maybe do a little garden bed at the front. Um, so it, it was really a natural progression and I guess, and in my mind, the highway, the traffic was getting busy, so maybe, um, it just fell into place.
Yeah. Look, I think you've got one of the best, I mean, I'm obviously biased, I live there, but I think you've got one of the best areas on the Gold Coast.
Not only livability, but for, for real estate. I mean, I tell people. You know, when they ask about living there, I said, well, we're, you know, straight down Smith Street into Southport and, and Surface, but also we're straight on the highway North, or, or, or South.
Oh,
I know. So, so as a hub it's just, it's just perfect.
Yeah.
Especially for families. And now we've got the tram.
I know. Very convenient. I always tell people when they buy in the area, my husband, he was going a lot to Brisbane for work, and you got two ways in and two ways out. You don't get stuck. There's really good access to the area, which is really important, isn't it?
Yeah.
So. Talk to me a bit about learning from your, your mom. Um, is there anything that stands out to you that you learned from her specifically that still you use today in your, um, you know, in your, in your day to day?
She actually has written on her number plate fun. Fun in 81. She started selling real estate on the Gold Coast in 81 and she's very direct, but very warm and very honest, and I really am very grateful for her.
Um, I get upset hearing I'm talking about her. I'm so proud of her. Um, because she's really instilled in us to, you know, speak up, be fair, and um, really be, um, honest with the clients. Yep. And, um, she's very passionate and, um, we missed her a little bit because she's retired about a year and a half ago. But I'm working with lovely Linda and she is just fabulous.
And, um, my husband who is very supportive and great in the office. We call him reliable Roger.
Reliable Roger. I love it.
Yes,
I love it. 'cause he is the principal, isn't he?
He is, yes.
Yeah. Okay.
Yeah.
But it's you and um,
Linda.
Linda,
yes.
That are predominantly out there doing most of the selling at the
moment.
Yes. He says, you girls, you're great. You go and do your thing. I'm here, I'm ready to do contracts.
Yeah.
So
fantastic. Mm. Two different skill sets that, uh, that meld together perfectly and keeping the whole thing in the family.
Yes, I know. But funny enough, Roger actually sold real estate, uh, about 30 years ago.
Okay.
I said, you're not really that old, are you? So he is only a very young man.
Oh, very good. Very good. Well, let me ask you this. If you weren't in real estate, what would you be doing?
Oh, that is a very good question. I am, I'm actually really loving what I do. I. I wouldn't be doing anything else differently.
Wouldn't be doing
anything else.
Nothing.
Okay.
I've done some interesting careers before sailing around the world on cruise ships. Yep. Running, um, day spas and worked in the health industry, which, um, I loved, but now I'm really, really where I'm meant to be.
Perfect. What do you love most about the job after all these years?
Definitely the people. Um, I hear some agents say, oh, I sell, you know, an um, you know, elite property or, and I'm like, we don't care where the property is. Well, ideally we do at 41 4 'cause we can get there on time and not be caught in traffic around Labrador and all that. But we are currently selling for a 94-year-old lady and um, yes, it's had a few challenges, but it's so rewarding.
Like she doesn't have an email. And um, we've had a bit of a giggle along the way, but it's about the people.
Yep.
It's not about the properties. And, um, yeah. So just people,
you've been in the game for a very long time. What, what keeps you hungry? After all these years
when buyers come in and they may not have a vision of where they'd wanna put a swimming pool or how they'd like their home to be.
So we feel with our. Expertise and age and experience that we can really help them. The buyers understand the process of buying and helping them with their renovations later as well. So yeah, it excites me still.
Fantastic. Fantastic. How would you describe your style with sellers? I mean, all real estate agents tend to have their, their own style.
How would you describe yours?
We, um, well, myself, I, I feel like I'm very calm. I can actually go through a really good strategy and marketing campaign with the buyers and just years of experience to really guide them through the process. So I think I have a very calming approach, but I'm also quite firm.
So what does a, a genuinely great client experience look like to you?
Great. Good question. Well, actually we've had a, um, a family where they came to an open home and, um, I have now. Sold seven of their homes, they'd recommended me to their cousins, their family. We've had a great working relationship over the past 12 years.
So when someone comes back time and time again. And they've had another baby and they say, Jeannine, can you please come and, um, sell our home again? We need a bigger home. So I've watched families grow and the kids hug me when they see me and they love that. Call me Auntie or or Jeanie and it's just so cute.
So I really love. Ongoing sales from being involved in their families too, so it doesn't feel like work.
I wanna talk to you a little bit about that because the one thing in our pre-chat that sort of really stood out to me is that you don't do any marketing. And as I think about it, I, I undo my letter box every, you know, couple of days and I get plenty of real estate brochures and there, I don't think I've ever seen one from you.
No. Look, we have always. Worked on referral and a referral business is so much better. I'd rather, um, people ring me and say, you've come really highly recommended, or, gee, that was a great price you got, so it's, well, you might do two flyers a year. And, um, we are just, whenever I get something in my mailbox in, um, a run, I just throw it in the bin.
I don't look, do people really do you?
No.
Adam, no.
No.
Yeah, it's just word of mouth. Living on the Gold Coast, we've got over 500, five star reviews. We've had very happy clients. So we, we, we sort of stick to that strategy of just do a good job, word of mouth, we'll travel. So, mm,
love that. So, being a boutique family owned agency, what do you think your clients get that maybe they don't get elsewhere?
Oh, well, our, some of our, um, reviews lately have said very, um, very relaxed as far as we feel like. You can get the job done very quickly. We'll do photos on a Tuesday, get it up on the Wednesday. We're a small boutique team, so we work well. We don't take on a huge amount of listings, we don't do rentals, um, and we just stick to our lane of sales.
So. I always believe if you're gonna do something, you do it really well. And by just sticking to selling, which we love, um, that's, I think's really been our niche just to really focus on sales, not rentals. Yeah,
and I think you mentioned earlier too, before we, um, we started, uh, recording that one benefit you love about being in a family boutique business is just being able to pivot, being able to, you know, make decisions on the fly that, um, ah, you know, absolutely.
You know, in a bigger agency, you're just not able to do that.
No. Look, we've had people fighting over an air conditioning unit that wouldn't work. In the end. We said, oh, we couldn't get an agreement. In the end, we just thought we'll pay for it, you know, so we can make. Decisions on our feet to get deals done very quickly.
Owning the business, I wouldn't have it any other way. And, and being a boutique, we've helped people in the community when they haven't been able to afford certain things so we can pivot a bit. So love it to help people. It's what it's about.
Awesome. What do you believe about selling homes that maybe a lot of other agents potentially get wrong?
I think, I don't know if I wanna say this on a podcast, but women's touches are pretty good.
Okay.
Um, um, am I gonna get in trouble if I No, I don't think so. Yeah. Linda is so fussy. Before we walk through a home, you know, we've got a few little assistants that help us and do some work experience, and they love it because they say, oh, remove the dirty tee towel.
Make sure you put the toilet seat down. Let's play some soft music. Let's create an atmosphere. You know what it's like before you go to a or you have people over for dinner. You create a beautiful ambiance atmosphere. So sometimes, um, we'll make beds, we'll do all sorts of things just to make it feel nice when you walk into the home to create an energy.
And we are very enthusiastic. I think I was born that way though. Yeah. I was born happy. So I think that comes across when people are buying, you really actually help them feel enthusiastic too. And it's a nervous experience buying. So I remember, you know, when I brought my first time I was like, oh, can I afford it?
Can I do it? And you know, you just have someone like us Pat on your back going, you can do it. You know? And um, just a little bit of encouragement without being pushy, just explaining that, you know, this is very doable. Yeah. Mm.
Fantastic. Alright, let's talk, uh, a few stories, uh, from the field. So tell me about a, a proud result that really stands out for you and, you know, what specifically created it?
To be honest, this week we found out we won Agency of the Year for Arundel, which was seven years in a row or six years in a row. Wow. Congratulations. It's terrible. I congrat get back to it and, um. Look, I think being consistent and making everyone happy, consistently, we are achieving the highest possible prices.
And, um, we're, we're getting some really great feedback. So that obviously, um, is keeping us very, um, happy and enthusiastic. So we're getting a lot of, um, great sales results. So high prices and, um, people are happy.
Do you have a favorite listing of all time? A favorite sale that you made?
Yes. The favorite sale, uh, we made was the lady whose signboard was on a lien, right.
And we suggested that a little bit of fresh paint at the front and a garden bed. And, um, it was actually in, um, a drive. And, um, we achieved $220,000 more than a house that had sold. Next door.
Wow.
And, um, ever since then, people had rung and said, gee, you, you did well there.
Yep.
So, and the house had been previously on the market.
For, uh, two and a half months. So we came in and freshened it up and sold it within a few weeks.
Wow.
The top price and the sellers were over the moon. So
now this might be a hard one, but have you ever had a deal that looked shaky, but somehow you managed to get it done?
Oh, all the time, yes. Very regularly.
Talk to me about one of them.
Oh, look, it's about, um, you know, some vendors can be very tough. They might not wanna leave the home. They know they need to, you know, they might need to downsize 'cause they can't do the steers anymore for their knees and things like that. But yeah, very regularly and it's, it's not easy being a real estate agent and having those hard conversations, but we do actually genuinely.
Feel we can have those hard conversations. Yeah. I remember as a child on a playground, everyone was fighting and I jumped in the middle and went, Hey, this is not right. I'm okay with making hard decisions and actually stepping in and saying, Hey, let's be fair, fair and reasonable neighbor. You're here to help the buyer and the seller come together.
So by stepping in the middle and negotiating and having, um, you know, the, the conversations, it's like. How are you gonna really feel about that extra $5,000 in five years? You won't even know you paid it. So having conversations is really, um, but yeah, I could go into so many stories there.
Alright, so you obviously know Arundel and, and the Parkwood area.
Absolutely. Like the back of your, your hand, Jeannine, what, what do buyers and sellers. Misunderstand about that area or underestimate about it?
Ooh, there's so many things. It's such a hidden gem, and I think the biggest thing is, is there's a lot of people there that have built the homes. It's really tightly held and people are really proud living there.
The biggest thing is, is the land is big. And, um, the walking tracks are absolutely sensational. You wake up with the birds, you can go for stunning, uh, walks through the bush. There's so many little parks that people don't even know about. So we love introducing them to these little pockets. And, um, the wide streets, the power lines run underground.
You know, it's just so safe for kids to play. So I could go on all day, but we'll never leave a rundle. My husband and I made a promise that would stay forever.
Yeah. I, I love that you brought up the, the, the land size, because I think it was one of. I'm guessing here, but probably one of the last suburbs that, you know, when it was developed, they still were decent sizes and ever, probably just about after that was when they really started to squeeze,
absolutely
squeeze, um, buildings onto, onto land.
Small blocks. Yeah, small blocks. And it's um, it's absolutely wonderful and you're absolutely right with the greenery and everything we, we've got there. So, um,
and another thing is really interesting is the developer was fantastic. He was very into concrete walls rather than Colorbond. So when you drive down, it does have a very nice prestigious feel about it.
Yeah,
absolutely. Absolutely. So, um, how have you seen the Arundel market evolve over the years?
Obviously since COVID, we've seen a big increase of more buyers coming to the area and to the Gold Coast. But, um, you know, generally, um, it just keeps increasing because of the fantastic infrastructure. Little did we know when we moved there and my sister moved there and built homes and my mother moved into the area.
We're a close family. We all wanted to live near each other. Our cousins came in, it's just the infrastructure. Who knew the hospitals were gonna move from Southport to a rundle just up the top of the hill. So now we've got a lot of doctors coming into the area. Ab Patterson school's been fantastic. Um, that's driven a lot of buyers coming in.
It's voted in the, I believe, the top. Three schools on the Gold Coast, Arundel Primary School's. Fantastic. So many wonderful, uh, facilities. So it's a really great place for, um, convenience.
Absolutely. And a mixture of properties too. You've got a lot of townhouses.
Yes. Yeah. Um, big and small. We sell them all.
I love it. Love it.
And don't forget the shopping centers Harbortown. We can walk there.
Yep.
Um, and there's Breathe Bathhouse and so many wonderful, um, gyms close by. We can actually jump on our bikes and ride there. Yep. There's also, um, Westfield close by and of course the Rundel Plaza.
That's in Parkwood.
That's in Parkwood.
Yes.
And it's got everything except a bank, so you don't even have to leave a rundle.
Yep. No, it is fantastic. It is
fantastic. I mean, Parkwood.
Alright. Are you ready for my quick fire round?
Yes, thanks.
Alright. One word to describe in a negotiation style
fair, but firm and, um, have a bit of fun at the same time.
Awesome.
Be a bit cheeky
words your clients would use to describe you
Kind a lot lately. Yeah.
Fantastic. Biggest myth about real estate agents.
They don't all lie, they're all, um, human. Yeah.
Well that's what this podcast is all about, showing the human side. Weirdest thing you've ever seen at an open home.
Look, I've found people lying in bed, um, asleep. Unfortunately, once someone had passed away, she wasn't at open home. Sorry. No. That was at a. At an inspection,
right?
But, um,
and
my sister and my mum were like, oh my goodness, are you okay? And I said, you know what? I'm glad it was me there and not a family member, because ever since that day I wake up and I'm always grateful.
To be alive, you know, life is short. We have to embrace the moment.
Yeah.
And um, yeah. Was
that actually your, your actual client or another family member or,
it was actually a lady who was actually renting a home.
Right.
And, um, we sensed there may be something wrong because she wasn't answering her phone.
Right.
And, um, I was very, um, I sensed something wasn't right when I got to the door. Um, I went on in and I found her asleep. Oh, dead passed away. Yep. And her bed. And, um, yeah, look, it wasn't, um, pretty, but it was a really good experience to actually go, well, I've really helped the family here.
Mm-hmm.
And, um, I didn't want the family to see what I'd seen.
Sure. Wow. Wow.
But I do now when I go into open homes, see something in a bedding. And be grateful that it's just a pillow.
Right. I love that. Alright, do you have an agent pet peeve? Is there something that you have to do or see or you know, regularly where you just go, I don't like this.
In an agent?
No, no.
As just within your role as an agent.
I think because I'm in my fifties now, I actually have seen and experienced so much. Yeah. I feel like nothing really trips me up. Every day is different in real estate, and I do quite enjoy that fact that I'm never bored and every day is different, but yeah. Look.
Going between, um, deaths, divorces, people who are downsizing. Um, there's always the challenges, but I feel like I can really help and, um, really have the chat with them and the sellers and yeah, get a good negotiation happening and a good sale happening, and make it a little bit of fun.
Love it.
Mm-hmm.
What's the funniest thing a buyer has ever. Said or asked you?
People asked me out on a date.
Have you? Oh,
that was actually before I got engaged. Yep. Yes.
Okay.
It was about 10 years ago when I was a bit cuter.
Right. And what's the
one before? I've got gray hair
and before you were snapped up, one thing, sellers always overthink.
Oh look, sellers can get very nervous about the whole process, so we just sit down and really explain it all and say, don't worry, I'll text you. I'll send you a message. So. Yeah, I think just the biggest thing is, is overthinking, you know, the next process. So rather than them getting to that point, we will recommend a removal list.
Give them options with free, you know, we'll always try and help them with, um, every step of the way. You know, leave the NBN box in your house, don't take it with you. All these little tips so they don't get. Um, stressed.
Oh, very cool. Alright, final two questions before we wrap up. So, what's your number one top tip for homeowners thinking of selling?
Look, minimal presentation is everything. People buy clean homes, they walk and go, oh, it just feels good. So, you know, obviously removing some personal items. But you know, I do like the odd knickknack people are going very streamlined now, but I guess it's a generational thing. But yeah, just actually just washing the windows down.
Um, and the roof is a really big thing for us. Um, I missed out on a listing a while ago, and I think I annoyed the, the cellar. I just said, look, what do you do before you sell your car? You wash it. Wash your house down. You've got mold on your roof. Yeah. And um, maybe I didn't say it delicately enough, but it's so important to wash your home and we've got the best trades.
So, um, and if any trades are listening to this, we're happy to recommend you as well. We try and support local and, um, really come up with the best. Um. Experience to present it in the best light.
Last question. If someone's listening to this or, or watching us on YouTube and considering you to be the person they want to want to deal with, what would you say to them?
Look, I'll work really hard for you. I'm available seven days of the week because I enjoy it. And, um, if you want top dollar and you want a nice experience and a really honest agent, um, we would love to help you.
Fantastic. Thanks so much, Jeannine. Yeah, Adam, look, that's a wrap for another episode of the Elite Real Estate Agents of SEQA big thank you to Jeannine Farrell for, for coming in today.
Uh, if Jeannine did sound like the right person to guide your next move, you'll find her details in the description, in our show notes, and you can reach out to her, give us your email address.
Jeannine@landmarksales.com
au. Okay. And look, if you did enjoy this episode, if you do know someone who's thinking of, uh, of buying or selling anywhere over South Southeast Queensland, especially with this episode, a Run and Parkwood, please do share it.
Please do, um, give us a follow subscribe so that you don't miss a, uh, an episode and, uh, we'll look forward to seeing you on the next one. Thanks once again, Jeannine.
Thank you so much, Adam, for having me today.
Thanks so much for joining us on this episode of Elite Real Estate Agents of SEQ. If today's guest sounded like the right agent to help with your next move, please reach out.
You'll find all their details in the show notes and episode description. And if you're a real estate agent interested in being showcased on the podcast, visit www dot. Pod pro australia.com au to learn more and register your interest. If you enjoyed the podcast, we'd love it if you could like share and rate the podcast and let us know in the comments if there's an agent you've dealt with and you think they should be featured next.
Thanks again for listening and we'll see you on the next episode.