Tony Coughran’s dad has a saying. If you need a hand, look down your arm.
That motto has stuck with him through life and the Gold Coast buyer’s agent has had to work hard for everything he’s ever achieved.
A qualified valuer with a keen eye for design, Tony bought his first house at the age of 23 in the leafy Brisbane suburb of Sherwood. It was a renovator that took him three jobs to pay the mortgage off. Four years later he bought his next renovator, the house next door, before moving to the Gold Coast and purchasing another renovation project in Southport. It took one more renovation in Parkwood before he was able to buy his first waterfront property at the tender age of 29.
“It’s taken us a long time to really understand that financial freedom is what you make it and it doesn’t have to be just a dream,” says Tony.
Together with wife Eva, Tony started his first property advisory firm in 2010 called Value for Money Buyers Agents. Last year the firm rebranded as Gold Coast Property Advisors.
“I still remember the day that our first client came on board,” he says.
“We went out for dinner and celebrated.
“From there we continued to celebrate each little milestone within our business – securing a property for our first client, launching our first website, hiring our first team member, incorporating our company and the list goes on.
“To this day, we still celebrate every milestone in our business, not necessarily with dinner at our favourite restaurant, but we love a good high five from the whole office when we secure that perfect home for a client.”
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the Awards for Excellence showcased real estate professionals who had achieved outstanding results.
“To achieve at this level requires enormous commitment, tireless work and incredible motivation and the finalists and winners have successfully demonstrated their ability to do that,” she said.
“It’s an incredible event where hundreds of real estate professionals come together, united by the common goal of striving to be better, committed to improving and staying at the leading edge of their profession.”
Speaking after his award win, Tony said he had been chasing the accolade for the past three years. He was a finalist in 2015 and 2016.
“Maybe it’s that I know just how hard our little team works behind the scenes to get the best results for our clients,” he said.
“Maybe it’s that I know just how many dodgy operators, property spruikers and ‘investment specialists’ there are in this industry but it’s moments like these that make me so grateful for all of the wonderful people I get to work with on a daily basis.
“You will never hear me refer to what I do as a ‘job’.
“To me, it’s just another rewarding part of my life where I’m able to do what I love day in day out while genuinely helping others achieve their dreams and succeed in property.
“To be recognised by my industry peers for my commitment and hard work is really the icing on the cake for me.”
