Raising the Bar - QLD Property
Raising the Bar: Real Talk About Queensland Property
🎙️ Hosted by George Sourris, Legal Practice Director at Empire Legal - a Brisbane-based conveyancing and property law firm
Welcome to Raising the Bar, the Queensland property podcast where we sit down with the best real estate agents, mortgage brokers, buyer's agents, property managers, building inspectors and property pros across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and wider QLD.
In each episode, host George Sourris pulls back the curtain on the stories, strategies, and hard-earned lessons that define excellence in the Queensland property market - from first-home buyer tips to auction tactics, from QLD conveyancing essentials to running a top-performing real estate business.
Because our industry deserves better.
Whether you're buying or selling property in Queensland, or you work in the property game and want to get sharper - this one's for you.
Need a conveyancer for your next QLD property purchase or sale? Visit empirelegal.com.au or call 07 3088 7675.
Episodes
29 episodes
George Iacovou: the financial conversations you should be having
In episode 29 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with George Iacovou, Principal Financial Adviser and Founder of Great Advice, to unpack the financial decisions that shape long term success for Queensland property ow...
Lara Paholski: new AML laws will hit every QLD property professional in 2026
In episode 28 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with Lara Paholski, CEO of LiveSign, to unpack the biggest regulatory change facing Queensland property professionals in more than a decade.With AML/CTF Tranche...
Peter Burgin: pro auction tips from 15,000+ auctions in QLD real estate
In episode 27 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with Peter Burgin, Chief Auctioneer and Head of Performance at Ray White Collective, to unpack what it takes to build trust, perform at a high level and consistently d...
Tamara Hall: how she became number 1 in Australia using manifestation
From starting in real estate at just 18 years old to building one of the most recognised brands in Brisbane Bayside property, Tamara Hall’s career has been shaped by grit, mindset and an unwavering focus on trust. In episode 26 of ...
Matt Micallef: 4 tips for becoming a top 1% real estate agent
From working 84-hour weeks in the Surat Basin gas mines to becoming one of the top-performing Ray White agents in the world, Matt Micallef’s rise in Queensland real estate is anything but ordinary.In episode 25 of Raising the Bar, George...
Antonia Mercorella: how she became the first female and youngest ever CEO of the REIQ
From walking away from a commercial law career to join the State Theatre Company to becoming the first female and youngest ever CEO of the REIQ, Antonia Mercorella’s journey is anything but conventional.In ep 24 of Raising the Bar, Georg...
Paul Watkins: the hidden risks in property that could financially ruin buyers
Every year, Queensland buyers settle on properties with hidden risks they never saw coming. From unapproved building work and boundary disputes to title defects and fraud.In episode 23 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal...
Mariangela Stagnitti: from Italian Knight to QLD community icon and business leader
In episode 22 of Raising the Bar George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with Italian Knight and community icon Mariangela Stagnitti, who has spent over 40 years helping people get on their feet, not just financially, but in life.Sta...
Peter Brewer: What's Broken in QLD Real Estate and How to Fix It
If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. In episode 21 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with industry titan and ex REIQ Chairman Peter Brewer to unpack what it really means to li...
Courtney Caulfield: Most Influential Woman in Brisbane Real Estate
Courtney Caulfield sits down with George Sourris from Empire Legal to share her journey from law to becoming one of Brisbane's most influential women in real estate.We cover:Her pivot from law into Queenslan...
Ash Hansom: #1 Real Estate Agent in Murarrie, Brisbane
Ash Hansom from LJ Hooker Cannon Hill joins George Sourris to reveal how she became the #1 agent in Murarrie, outselling her nearest competitor 3 times over.We cover:Dominating a Brisbane suburb from scratch...
Alex Tincknell: Building Elders Real Estate Redlands from Scratch
Alex Tincknell shares how he built Elders Real Estate Redlands from zero experience in the Queensland property market.We cover:Starting a real estate agency with no industry backgroundWhy the Redlan...
Emma Flatley: Scaling a QLD Buyer's Agency in 6 Months
Emma Flatley went from selling agent to scaling Acquired Buyer's Advocacy across Queensland in just 6 months.We cover:Making the jump from selling agent to buyer's agentScaling a QLD buyer's agency ...
Rebecca Russell: How to Dominate a Suburb in QLD Real Estate
Rebecca Russell from Place Kangaroo Point shares how she went from bartending to dominating Richlands real estate.We cover:Switching careers into QLD real estateLocking down a suburb as "your" patch...
Thomas Metos: The 5-Star Formula Every Small Business Needs
Thomas Metos from MEC reveals the 5-star customer formula that transformed his small business.We cover:Building a 5-star customer experienceSystemising service so every client feels looked after
Aaron Woolard: New Farm's Top Attraction Agent, Brisbane
Aaron Woolard from Place New Farm shares how he went from White Pages cold calls to becoming Brisbane's inner-city attraction agent.We cover:Starting with literally the phone bookBecoming an attract...
Shane Lawson: Pool Safety Inspections in QLD and Northern NSW
Shane Lawson from North Coast Pool Inspections shares pool safety insights every QLD and Northern NSW property buyer needs to hear.We cover:What pool safety inspections actually checkCommon failures...
John Cassimatis: 25+ Years in Brisbane Property - Lessons Learned
John Cassimatis from Belle Property Coorparoo shares 25+ years of lessons from the Brisbane real estate market.We cover:What changes (and what doesn't) over 25 years of propertyCoorparoo and southsi...
Alex McEwan: Fast Rise in QLD Bayside Real Estate, Wynnum
Alex McEwan from McGrath Wynnum/Manly shares his journey from mechanic to top-performing Bayside real estate agent.We cover:Career pivot from the workshop to real estateWynnum, Manly and Bayside pro...
Sachin Nair: From Police to Mortgage Broker - Growth Hacks
Sachin Nair, co-founder of Fincode Loanmarket and former QLD Police officer, shares rapid growth hacks for mortgage brokers.We cover:From the QLD Police force to financeScaling a mortgage broking bu...
Ethan Petrie: From 100k to 2.4m in 3 Years - Ray White West End
Ethan Petrie from Ray White West End shares how he went from earning 100k to 2.4m in just 3 years in Brisbane real estate.We cover:The mindset shift that changed everythingProspecting at volume in W...
Suzana Wade: Why the Wrong Property Manager Costs Thousands
Suzana Wade from Locate Property shares why picking the wrong property manager in QLD could cost you thousands.We cover:What a great property manager actually doesRed flags to watch for when choosin...
Anthony Bartzis: Building and Pest Inspection Secrets, QLD
Anthony Bartzis from Southern Cross Building Inspections reveals what building and pest inspections in QLD really cover.We cover:What B&P inspections check (and what they miss)Common issues in B...
Vass Stammes: Splitter Blocks and Town Planning Traps in Brisbane
Vass Stammes from VMS Town Planning and PropCheck unpacks splitter blocks and due diligence traps in the Brisbane property market.We cover:Splitter blocks: profit vs trapsBrisbane City Council zonin...