Realty Bites - The Unsold Stories

In this episode of Realty Bites – The Unsold Stories, Tim Gossage sits down with Zvon Mikulic to unpack his unconventional journey from the building industry to a successful career in real estate.Zvon’s path was far from traditional. After leaving school and starting an apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker, he moved into carpentry and FIFO work before a back injury forced him to rethink his future. With a wife and three kids at home, Zvon decided to put everything into real estate — a move he now describes as one of the best decisions he’s ever made.Starting out part-time and taking opportunities wherever he could find them, Zvon steadily built his career through hard work, relationships and a willingness to go above and beyond for his clients. From mowing lawns and helping with repairs to preparing properties for market, his approach has always been centred around doing whatever he can to get the best result.The conversation covers:Zvon’s journey from cabinetmaking and FIFO into real estateHow a back injury forced him to rethink his careerStarting in real estate while supporting a young familyGrowing from 14 sales to 28 and then 45 in his early full-time yearsWhy hard work and client service became the foundation of his businessGoing beyond the traditional role of a real estate agentBuilding a strong presence in Kardinya and Perth’s southern corridorStaging, on-market selling and creating better home opensThe importance of continually learning and adapting to AI and industry changesWorking alongside his wife and finding better work-life balanceSetting goals and continuing to push for the next level of successFor Zvon, success isn’t simply about sales numbers. His long-term goal is to finish his real estate career with strong relationships, happy clients and the knowledge that he’s helped families make some of the biggest decisions of their lives.It’s a great conversation about career change, work ethic, family and what can happen when you back yourself and take an opportunity.

In this episode of Realty Bites – The Unsold Stories, Tim Gossage sits down with Rob Vellacott, a real estate professional with more than 20 years of experience, to talk business, family and building a career that works around the life you want to live.Rob’s journey has taken him from working as a glazier to becoming a high-performing real estate agent, business owner and licensee. Alongside his wife, he spent close to a decade building his own real estate business and rent roll while raising three young children.Eventually, the family decided it was time for a change. Rob and his wife sold the business and rent roll, allowing her to focus on homeschooling their children while Rob returned his attention to full-time property sales.Rob opens up about that decision, his approach to work-life balance and why success in real estate doesn’t necessarily mean working seven days a week.The conversation covers:- More than 20 years of experience in real estate- Why family has remained one of his biggest priorities- Working a four-day week and finding time to reset- Goal setting, KPIs and the importance of consistency- Off-market sales, online auctions and adapting your strategy to the client- How his background in the building industry helps when preparing homes for sale- Getting properties ready for market and why presentation matters- His approach to home opens and communicating with buyers- Setting ambitious goals for the next stage of his careerAfter more than two decades in the industry, Rob is still looking for ways to improve, grow his business and challenge himself, without losing sight of what matters away from real estate.It’s an honest conversation about success, family, longevity and designing a career around the life you want to live.

In this episode of Realty Bites – The Unsold Stories, Tim Gossage sits down with Anil Singh from Team Singh to unpack more than 22 years of experience in the real estate industry.Anil’s journey began as a buyer’s agent, long before the role looked the way it does today. Working with buyers and learning how they think gave him an early understanding of the psychology behind property before he eventually made the move into becoming a listing agent. But building a successful career was far from straightforward.Anil opens up about the difficult early years, the pressure of trying to win listings and the multiple times he considered walking away from the industry altogether. After being told by others that he would never make it, Anil instead used that doubt as motivation to keep pushing forward and build the career he has today.At the heart of Anil’s approach is something simple: relationships. He discusses why being genuine, earning trust and communicating honestly have remained fundamental to his success, even as the way property is marketed and sold has changed dramatically.The conversation also explores:Anil’s journey from buyer’s agent to building Team SinghThe challenges of breaking into real estate and proving the doubters wrongWhy relationships and trust remain his biggest strengthsThe importance of consistency and getting the “one percenters” rightHow agents need to adapt as the Perth property market changesCommunicating difficult news to sellers after years of a booming marketWhy changing conditions can separate great agents from the restBuilding genuine connections with buyers at home opensMentorship, mindset and staying grounded in a numbers-driven industryThe ongoing challenge of balancing real estate, family and lifeWith more than two decades in the industry, Anil shares why success isn’t about relying on a strong market or waiting for deals to happen. It’s about doing the basics well, adapting when conditions change and building relationships that can turn into clients for life.An insightful and honest conversation about resilience, relationships and what it really takes to build a lasting career in real estate.

Podcast DescriptionIn this episode of Realty Bites, Tim Gossage sits down with Sarah Thornton, Licensee of Landmark Settlement Agents, to explore one of the most important and often overlooked parts of every property transaction: settlement.As the first guest on the podcast from outside the sales side of real estate, Sarah provides a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on what happens after a contract is signed. From managing legal compliance and coordinating with banks to ensuring ownership transfers correctly, she explains why settlement is the final piece that brings every property sale together.Sarah also discusses the introduction of Australia's new Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements, how they are changing the real estate industry, and what buyers, sellers and agents need to know as these new regulations take effect.The conversation covers:What settlement agents actually doThe role of conveyancing in buying and selling propertyThe new Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation and its impactCommon settlement challenges and how they're resolvedBehind-the-scenes stories from complex property transactionsBuilding and leading a successful settlement teamThe importance of communication, compliance and attention to detailHow technology is transforming the settlement processSarah also shares her own career journey - from travel agent to leading one of Western Australia's busiest settlement agencies - and why she believes making the settlement process as smooth and stress-free as possible is at the heart of great customer service.Whether you're buying your first home, selling an investment property, or simply curious about what happens after the contract is signed, this episode offers valuable insights into a side of real estate that every property owner should understand.

In this episode of Realty Bites, Tim Gossage sits down with Tom Miszczak, one of Perth's most respected real estate professionals, for an insightful conversation on what it takes to build a successful career across nearly two decades in the industry.Starting his real estate journey during the Global Financial Crisis, Tom has experienced every type of market imaginable. From booming conditions to challenging downturns, he shares how adapting to change, maintaining consistency, and focusing on what you can control has been the foundation of his long-term success.Tom also opens up about balancing a demanding career with family life, why communication is the key to strong client relationships, and how helping generations of the same families buy and sell property has become one of the most rewarding parts of his career.The conversation covers:Building a successful real estate career through changing marketsWhy consistency beats chasing quick winsThe realities of today's Perth property marketPrivate treaty sales versus auctionsHow strong communication builds trust with buyers and sellersCreating lifelong client relationships through referralsMentorship, leadership and giving back to the next generation of agentsFinding balance between business, family and long-term successTom also shares his outlook on where the Western Australian property market is heading, the mindset required to navigate uncertain conditions, and why staying focused on people—not just property—is the key to longevity in the industry.Whether you're buying, selling, investing, or working in real estate, this episode is packed with practical insights from someone who has successfully navigated every stage of the property cycle.