Inside the 2025 REA Excellence Awards

Meet the winners of the 2025 REA Excellence Awards and discover how they’re raising the bar for innovation, leadership and service across the property industry.

The property industry thrives on progress, and the 2025 REA Excellence Awards recognise those driving it forward.

For nine years, the national awards have celebrated those raising the bar for leadership, service and performance across the property journey.

From standout service to bold innovation, this year’s winners are setting new benchmarks for excellence.

OC Real Estate - Residential Agency of the Year & Property Management Team of the Year

Taking out two awards, OC Real Estate demonstrates what values-led growth can achieve at scale. A major brand refresh unified the business under a single customer promise, supported by a significant investment in brand and digital presence that drove strong engagement and nearly eight million campaign impressions.

Operationally, OC integrated four acquisitions, opened three new offices and launched OC Short Stays, growing its rent roll by 1,000 properties to more than 4,000 under management. Leasing days reduced, maintenance resolution improved and a 96% call response rate highlights a consistent focus on service and innovation.

Executive Director & Co-Founder, Nathan Casserly, said the recognition reflects the collective effort behind OC's success.

“These awards belong to our people. Every member of the OC team, across sales, property management and operations, contributes to the experience our clients receive. We’re incredibly proud to be a South Australian business recognised at a national level. It shows that you can remain grounded in your community while striving for excellence across Australia.

We’re deeply grateful to our clients and our Adelaide community. Trust is everything in real estate, and the REA Excellence Awards are a reflection of the relationships we build every day.”

Belinda Kolstad - Rising Star of the Year

Belinda Kolstad’s first year in real estate has been defined by strong performance, community commitment and a passion for supporting others. After more than a decade in business development and sales, she joined Smart Real Estate in February 2025 and quickly established herself as a trusted professional driven by connection and results.

A long-time volunteer firefighter, Belinda brings a deep sense of service to her work and is passionate about mentoring and empowering women in business.

Reflecting on the recognition, she said, “I’m proud of what this award represents – growth, consistency, and trust. It reflects countless hours of behind the scenes work and the unwavering support of the incredible team at Smart Real Estate.

“This recognition truly means a lot to me and inspires me to keep lifting the standard for my clients and my community.”

Belinda Kolstad, Rising Star of the Year (left), and Hayley Van de Ven, Most Influential Woman in Property (right).

Hayley Van de Ven – Most Influential Woman in Property

As owner of Australia’s top-performing RE/MAX offices and Director of The Limitless Group, Hayley Van de Ven leads a growing network of businesses united by a high-performance, people-first culture. A passionate mentor, she is dedicated to creating pathways for leadership while driving meaningful impact through her work on the board of 4 Voices, supporting women experiencing domestic violence and social isolation, extending her influence well beyond the property industry.

As Hayley shared, “This is such a wonderful opportunity to continue to give back to our industry. We have a unique position in the community, and I’d love to maximise the impact that an award like this can bring, continue to smash those glass ceilings and inspire a new generation of agents to build incredible businesses all while being good humans.”

Contribution to Local Community - Equality Media + Marketing

Equality Media + Marketing took out the Contribution to Local Community award.

Built on the belief that business can be a force for good, Equality Media + Marketing has embedded a long-term partnership with Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI) into its business model, donating 10% of annual profits and providing full-service support.

The team played a key role in WPI’s record-breaking 2025 Giving Day, contributing matched funding and campaign expertise to help raise enough funds to deliver 30 new homes, a year ahead of schedule.

Founder & Managing Director, Marilla Akkermans, reflected, “I’m so happy to be able share the success that Equality has each year with a wonderful organisation like Women’s Property Initiatives, and the $10,000 that REA has so generously donated as a prize will go a long way in the hands of WPI, in helping women and children find permanent housing.

“It’s such a fulfilling and proud moment as a business owner to be able to support such a worthy cause."

CADRE - Game Changer of the Year

CADRE is redefining how communities are created by prioritising connection from day one. Guided by a mission to deliver places that feel lived in and loved, CADRE leads with the heart of each precinct, delivering shared spaces, infrastructure and homes early so communities have a place to grow into, not just walk into. Projects such as SOLHAVEN in Ballina reflect this forward-thinking, people-first approach to development.

Oliver Hume - Integrated Brand Campaign of the Year

Oliver Hume’s bold Black Friday Land Grab campaign takes out Integrated Brand Campaign of the Year.

Oliver Hume’s Black Friday Land Grab transformed traditional land marketing into a high-impact, retail-style event. Uniting nine developments under a single campaign, the team harnessed the urgency of Black Friday to clear titled stock ahead of year-end land tax liabilities. The campaign showcased how technology, bold creative thinking and strategic execution can set a new benchmark for integrated marketing.

National Marketing Manager at Oliver Hume, Jess Lochrie, said, “This award signifies the industry's growing acceptance for doing things differently, and we're incredibly proud of our team for their innovation, implementation, and success."

RWC Bayside - Commercial Agency of the Year

RWC Bayside has built a reputation for service excellence across the Bayside and Redlands Coast, holding the region’s largest market share and operating at Ray White’s Chairman’s Elite level. Through a specialist, task-based property management model and a custom-built workflow platform, the agency has boosted efficiency, accountability and client satisfaction.

Supported by structured leadership development and a strong community presence, RWC Bayside is proving what’s possible when service, systems and people align.

Setting the benchmark for excellence

Excellence doesn’t stand still, and neither does the property industry.

Together, the 2025 winners represent a powerful snapshot of where the industry is today, and where it’s heading next, setting the pace for innovation, leadership and impact across Australia’s property industry.

The REA Excellence Awards run annually. Visit www.theareas.com.au to find out more.

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