Worth Investigating: Main Beach Property Sales

WORDS: Greg Pride PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

Like the suburb they sell, the team at Main Beach Property Sales see themselves as wonderfully unique.

Founded 12 years ago by former private investigator Annette Sinclair, MBPS has firmly established itself as the premier boutique real estate agency operating in the charming “village” of Main Beach.

With a combined real estate industry experience of more than 100 years, Annette and her small but dynamic female-dominated team all call Main Beach home, living and breathing the enviable lifestyle the seaside suburb affords its fortunate residents.

This allows the MBPS agents to not just “talk the talk ” but to actually “walk the talk” when it comes to selling the many virtues of Main Beach to prospective buyers and renters.

“We see ourselves as a truly bespoke agency, offering our clients an expert, friendly and personalised level of service that they just don’t get anywhere else,” Annette says.

“We’ve built the agency on the pillars of professionalism, honesty and integrity. Our corporate motto is “A Tradition of Trust” and it’s not just a slogan to which we pay lip service. “We’ve got a really good reputation and the day I hear otherwise is the day I retire.”

MBPS has gone from strength to strength since being established by Annette and her late husband Carl in 2010.

The couple had lived in Sydney for many years, where they ran a commercial and private investigation business, but had long had a home at Main Beach which they used as a “bolthole” for work and holidays.

“My husband and I have always loved Main Beach,” Annette says.

“It’s got this wonderful village vibe and, I think, is very much like a country town next to the beach. Everyone knows your name and says hello in the street.”

The Sinclairs made the move permanently to the Gold Coast with the thought of retiring.

But when experienced local agent Carmen Uruchurtu asked them to help her open a new agency, MBPS was born.

“Carmen decided that she wanted to focus purely on her passion, which is selling real estate, so I ended up becoming the licensee,” Annette explains.

“We opened the doors of MBPS in 2011 and Carmen is still with us today as an invaluable member of the team. Our staff, like our clients, are loyal and long-serving.

“Going from being a private investigator to a real estate agent might seem like a radical career change but they’re not that dissimilar really – both jobs are about putting the jigsaw pieces together.”

After initially operating from a small headquarters at 19 Tedder Ave, the agency tripled its size after acquiring its own stylish and welcoming premises at 25 Tedder Ave in the popular cafe, restaurant and boutique strip’s leafy northern end.

MBPS’s sales have ranged in value from $380,000 up to $5 million and include new and resale apartments in virtually every highrise in Main Beach – with some changing hands multiple times – as well as free-standing homes, villas and townhouses.

MPBS was previously an all-female agency but experienced agent David Sheerey recently joined the team, bringing his expertise to the property management division.

Led by Annette (ably assisted by her efficient EA Shelley Fuller) the effervescent team also includes sales whizzes Carmen Urchurtu, Claire Baron and Mary Tatton and sales and property management assistant Jennifer Gow.

Last but by no means least in the team is the popular “Director of First Impressions” Wendy Callaghan, who as receptionist/admin assistant is the friendly face that greets clients the moment they walk in the doors.

Testimonials to the talents of the MBPS agents abound, with sellers and buyers rapt with the service they receive.

“Carmen actually does what she says is going to do,” one happy Breaker St apartment seller, Stuart Ingram, wrote recently.

“No antics. No rhetoric. Just action. She gives you a realistic price and she achieves it. Super-impressive. She is also fun to work with.”

Andrew and Natalie Woods, who dealt with Mary in the purchase of an apartment in Carrington Court on Main Beach Pde, were equally effusive in their praise.

“Mary, it was such a great pleasure dealing with yourself and the team at MBPS in the purchase of our coastal piece of paradise,” they wrote.

“(We) really felt you understood the Main Beach market very well, and better still understood our family’s needs, which made the purchase so enjoyable. Thank you very much.”

North Queensland-based seller Carol Green, who entrusted Claire to handle the sale of a Hope Island property, was also delighted with the service she received from MBPS.

“They went above and beyond,” she wrote.

“They helped us get the property ready for sale, organised all the trades, attended the property and gave me great updates. The communication was top-rate. On the market and under contract in 11 days. Stress-free selling – so grateful for everything.”

Annette says: “We don’t cold-call to get sales or property management listings. Our clients come to us and they tend to stay long-term. We’re just as likely to pick up a new client bumping into them over coffee or a drink on Tedder Ave as we are from a phone call to the office.”

Annette has been approached to sell the agency to big-brand franchises but has knocked them back.

“We don’t want to be just another brand agency,” she said.

“We’re not the norm. We’re different here at MBPS and we intend to stay that way for our clients.”