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In rural Queensland, technology has become a game changer, with one agency leveraging streamlined systems to save time and stay ahead of the competition.
Agency #1 Property Centre has been leveraging technology to stay ahead of their competition during a period of growth in the Dalby, Chinchilla, and Toowoomba areas west of Brisbane.
Led by director Patrick Wall, the agency has emerged as an industry standout, finishing runner-up in REB’s Stellar Agencies 2025.
Wall said that his willingness to adopt new technologies has been a game changer, saving the agency time and money while placing less stress on staff.
He said offering different services, such as online auctions or next-day rental payments to clients, has given him an edge over the local competition.
“A lot of agents are sticking to the same routine, giving the same promises, and clients notice it,” Wall said.
“I think most of it is because they are too scared to move to a new system.”
Wall said that using Managed as its property management system has freed up his team to serve their clients better.
Managed allows agencies to send and receive payments directly, without the need for funds to be placed in a trust account.
“Other agents don’t seem to understand that having this defining technology is literally helping bring their landlords over to us,” Wall said.
After making the switch from his previous property management system, Wall said that he could never go back.
“The extra advantage is that this system integrates with other systems, such as FLK It Over and Inspection Express,” Wall said.
“Having these integrations is a formidable force for property management.”
He said that technology is now at the forefront of the industry, and agents risk being left behind if they do not adapt.
“A part of me is happy that a lot of the other agents in the areas we operate are not investing in better technology as the gap between us and them widens,” Wall said.
Additionally, Wall said that he has been seeing an increase in interest from non-local investors in the area.
This increased demand has seen the property floor for the area rise to $350,000, marking a significant price increase.
“This is very low for most of the east coast, but these are properties that were struggling to sell at $150,000 before the market rose,” Wall said.
Wall said investors are attracted to the area for its strong ROI and steady capital growth, with Dalby properties offering returns of over 6 per cent through strategic improvements.
Wall said that #1 Property Centre’s rent roll continues to grow, with the agency looking to expand to two more locations.
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