McGrath Estate Agents has deepened its focus on Victoria, partnering with the longest operating and one of the most respected real estate agencies in the state — Hodges Real Estate.
The move coincides with a prediction by the Hodges directors that Melbourne is set to realise capital growth going forward, as it’s lagged behind other capital cities in recent years.
McGrath already has numerous offices in Melbourne, but McGrath CEO John McGrath said the opportunity to align with a real estate brand of the calibre of Hodges was too good to miss.
And McGrath’s Head of Franchise Network, Chris Mourd, said that with Melbourne the nation’s fastest-growing city and No.3 on the world’s most liveable cities list, it’s a marriage made in Heaven: “The signals are there for a new era for Melbourne real estate.”
The move will see five Hodges offices in Bayside Melbourne — Brighton, Sandringham, Beaumaris, Mentone and Bentleigh — and a sixth at Rye on the Mornington Peninsula be rebranded Hodges McGrath.
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It will bring the total number of McGrath offices in the state to 34.
“Hodges remains the longest operating real estate agency in Victoria, having opened in 1854,” Mr McGrath said.
“It’s a company that’s steeped in history and 172 years on, remains one of the most respected businesses in the country.
“So when the opportunity came up to partner with this amazing business we were thrilled beyond belief.”
And it seems the feeling is mutual. The directors of Hodges Real Estate, Michael Cooney and Julian Augustini, said: “We were looking for a partner who shared our culture and values, and who could help us continue to grow in a way that creates greater opportunities and outcomes for our clients.
“We found that alignment in McGrath, which we regard as one of Australia’s most progressive real estate groups.”
They and fellow Hodges director Andrew Boyce said that the company had always focused on the strong local relationships built up over the many decades.
“It was important that we partnered with a company that also shared that commitment,” Mr Boyce said.
Mr McGrath said that by joining forces with Hodges in Bayside Melbourne they’d be preserving that company’s great heritage whilst integrating their team into Australia’s highest performing real estate group.
“And now with our partnership with Knight Frank, it will give their team and clients access to a global market through the Knight Frank Private Office,” Mr McGrath said.
Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows Melbourne recorded Australia’s largest capital-city population increase during the most recent reporting period, adding more than 105,000 residents.
And Chris Mourd said as the city continued to grow, demand for specialist property advice, premium marketing and access to broader buyer networks was expected to increase.
Melbourne has recently been named the third-most liveable city in the world for 2026, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index.
Mr Augustini said Hodges expects Melbourne to realise capital growth going forward, as it’s lagged behind other capital cities in recent years.
Bayside Melbourne consists of well-established suburbs with mature parks and excellent recreational facilities such as Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Victoria Golf Course, Brighton Yacht Club and Sandringham Yacht Club.
The area continues to attract interest from buyers drawn to its unique combination of lifestyle, amenity and community.
With its beaches, leafy streets, village-style shopping precincts, and an impressive mix of restaurants and cafés, Bayside benefits from a coastal lifestyle while remaining within easy reach of Melbourne’s CBD.
Its vibrant community atmosphere, excellent schools, recreational spaces continue to resonate with families, young professionals and downsizers alike.
In terms of property, the area offers a real diversity in values.
The median house price ranges from $3.2m in Brighton to $1.37m in Mentone.
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Originally published as ‘New era’: McGrath partners with Hodges in Melbourne
Read related topics:Melbourne