McGrath extends its Brisbane focus and welcomes Tony O’Doherty to spearhead the growth of its Bulimba footprint

McGrath Estate Agents today announced an exciting new partnership that will add enormous firepower to its Brisbane growth trajectory. Leading Queensland agent Tony O’Doherty and his business partner Jon Iceton will join the group and rebrand as operators of McGrath Bulimba.

John McGrath, CEO of McGrath said, “Tony is an explosive talent. What he’s done in the last 5 years is only matched by our own Alex Jordan in terms of their extraordinary results. Tony’s journey is fascinating. He started life in humble beginnings, migrated to Australia and has made an incredible success of his career finding himself now amongst the best agents on the planet. And he’s in very good company as he joins our elite Queensland agents alongside incredible talent like Alex, Craig Lea, Alexandra Porter, Brett Greensill and Brad Sissons. If this was the NRL it’d be the premiership winning team.”

Queensland No 1 agent, McGrath’s Alex Jordan concurs with John. “I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Tony over the past three years, and it is a great pleasure to have him join McGrath. Tony is one of the best agents in the country and a top performer in Queensland.

“Equally I’m looking forward to working closely with him as he is the ultimate choice for our clients in Brisbane’s southeast suburbs. He is passionate about achieving the best outcome for his clients and is an expert negotiator. I believe Tony will benefit from all that McGrath has to offer and his business growth trajectory will reach new heights – this will be exciting to watch. We welcome Tony wholeheartedly,” Mr Jordan adds.

Mr O’Doherty was born in Ireland to a tightly knit family of four, working on their farm with livestock and animals until he was 18. “I have true family values that are reflective of many ethnic communities in the sense that family is a number one priority. It has given me the ability to really understand and relate to people on a genuine level and appreciate and respect the importance of community. While horses remain a lifelong passion and have helped me connect with like-minded people when I first made Australia home, real estate is where I find a lot of my energy. Everything I do in my downtime is related to getting better at my job, and servicing my clients in the best way possible.”

Moving to Brisbane in 2011, first as a resident of Morningside, Tony relocated to Bulimba in 2014 and is passionate about the area. “I love the river, the demographic of Queenslanders, or the elevated City views of Balmoral and Hawthorne. I’ve always loved the homes in these suburbs, the people, the community and the lifestyle on offer, the coffee shops and various eateries of bustling Oxford Street where we have our office.”

Such passion for the industry has propelled Tony to be at the pinnacle of real estate professionals in Queensland, only to be superseded by McGrath’s Alex Jordan. In REA Excellence Awards 2024, Tony clocked in at No 2 for the Top Residential Agent (QLD) in value of sales, while receiving the No. 1 accolade in 2021. Additionally he was QLD’s Top Principal 2020-2024 for Belle Australia. His many sales include $7 million for a 5 bedroom home at 18 Scott Street, Hawthorn; $5 million for a 3 bedroom home at 22 Tennyson Street, Bulimba; 5 bedroom home at $3.75 million for 16 Daly Street, Camp Hill;

In FY24, Tony’s total sales exceeded $208 million across multiple price ranges.

It’s no surprise Tony and his team have hit the ground running at McGrath Bulimba with 46 listings that include:

• 88A Wynnum Road, Norman Park

• 130 Virginia Avenue, Hawthorne

• 80 Stuart Street, Bulimba

• 26 Melbourne Avenue, Camp Hill

McGrath Bulimba will service the area from Bulimba, Hawthorne in the north, to Coorparoo, Holland Park, Greenslopes in the south, to Cannon Hill, Morningside, Seven Hills in the east, to edge of East Brisbane, Kangaroo Point, South Brisbane in the west.

Market Commentary (attributable to Tony O’Doherty):

Bulimba, Balmoral and Hawthorne are suburbs renowned for their riverside charm, family-friendly environment, and vibrant community atmosphere. With a mix of leafy streets, proximity to the Brisbane River, and a multitude of cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops, these suburbs offer an exceptional lifestyle for both families and professionals.

I’m particularly excited by the proposed Bulimba Barracks Neighbourhood Centre upgrade which is set to enhance the area's appeal significantly. The development will feature a new retail marketplace, incorporating a blend of retail, commercial, food and beverage outlets, fitness facilities, and office spaces. This project reflects the area's growth and aligns with the ongoing urban renewal plans across Brisbane.

Realestate.com.au shows Bulimba’s median house price is around $1,872,500, with an annual capital growth rate of 2.32%. Over the past 12 months, there have been 84 house sales, and houses typically spend about 26 days on the market. The median price for units is approximately $830,500, with a rental yield of 4.2%.

Bulimba, Balmoral and Hawthorne feature a mix of Queenslander-style homes, modern architect-designed properties, and high-quality apartments. Family homes often range from $1.5 million to over $3 million, particularly for riverfront or well-renovated properties. Units and townhouses appeal to young professionals and investors, typically ranging between $650,000 to $1 million.

These areas attract a diverse mix of buyers, including families looking for quality schools, parks, and recreational facilities, young professionals seeking proximity to Brisbane’s CBD (just 4 km away), downsizers desiring low-maintenance, high-quality properties in a lifestyle-focused and will continue to be in demand by those seeking value.

Mr O’Doherty explains that the business move to McGrath was a well-considered one with his business partner Jon Iceton. “Here is a real opportunity to improve our business. McGrath houses more Top 100 REB agents across Australia, and success leaves clues. It's a premium brand that has been able to help agents and clients throughout the country to connect and transact some of the finest properties within Australia.

“Importantly, to surround myself within a premium brand with outstanding agents, will create another level to my service to my clients and the ability for self-growth. McGrath as a brand has a high client service focus ensuring they complement all levels of property without saturating the market by having multiple agents and agency servicing a similar demographic. I’ve long had a desire to work with a top international brand and now the new partnership with McGrath, Knight Frank and Bayleys, definitely is a compelling combination. This collaboration ensures that all my clients can have their properties serviced and marketed to not only a national level but to global audiences. I can then be confident that I have done all within my service to reach the highest value buyer for my clients.”

He adds, “Within Queensland, the number one highest transacting agent is Alex Jordan. The ability to work alongside him, in the same brand gives me an opportunity not only to learn but to collaborate with our clients, who will only benefit with this cross-river synergy, as they transact their most important asset.”

McGrath Bulimba will have a team of 16 including 11 sales professionals, including existing McGrath agent John Kubatov who will join the new entity.

The office will be located at 2/171 Oxford St, Bulimba QLD 4171

Phone: (07) 3899 8588