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At just 22, Andy Phythian has already spent nearly half a decade in real estate and has now opened his own office, becoming Queensland’s youngest real estate business owner.
Mr Phythian has launched a Place Estate Agent’s office at Beerwah alongside Place Purpose Group CEO Robbie Lofaro, capping a rapid rise through the industry that began when he first stepped inside a real estate office as a teenager.
But before real estate became his focus, Mr Phythian had his sights set on a very different future.
A talented basketball player competing in Queensland’s State League, he spent nearly a decade training, travelling and chasing the dream of playing professionally.
When a series of serious foot injuries forced him to rethink his sporting future, Mr Phythian faced a pivotal decision.
Rather than stepping back, he redirected the same discipline and competitive drive that had shaped his sporting career into sales.
“I realised that in sport, everything can disappear overnight with an injury,” Mr Phythian said.
“But in real estate, even if things go wrong, you can keep building something. That’s when I decided to commit fully and see how far I could take it.”
The lessons learned on the basketball court - discipline, resilience and handling pressure - have become the foundation of his business mindset.
“Basketball teaches you how to deal with failure and bounce back quickly,” he said.
“I remember missing a game-winning shot in a grand final once and feeling like I’d let everyone down. But the next day you’re back training again. Real estate is similar; you learn to stay focused and keep moving forward.”
Mr Phythian’s property career began at just 16, when he completed work experience at a local agency while still in high school. He continued working in the office one day a week throughout his senior years, learning the fundamentals of the industry while also working casual shifts at McDonald’s.
“I didn’t want to go to university, but I wanted a career where there was no limit on what you could achieve,” he said.
On his 18th birthday, Mr Phythian completed his real estate licence and quickly progressed through the industry, becoming a solo sales agent at just 19.
Within only a few years he had built a strong presence across the Glass House Mountains property market, and became the number one agent in the area, eventually assembling a growing team.
Mr Phythian has now launched Place Beerwah with a team of four and plans to continue expanding both the office and its sales footprint.
“I’m excited to build a strong team and create opportunities for other people as well,” he said.
“It’s not just about my success anymore; I genuinely enjoy seeing others succeed and helping them grow, just like Robbie, who has been an exceptional mentor of mine.”
Robbie Lofaro said Mr Phythian’s rapid rise reflected the entrepreneurial mindset emerging across the next generation of agents.
“Andy represents a new wave of real estate leadership. To open your own office at just 22 requires extraordinary drive, discipline and belief,” Mr Lofaro said.
“At Place Purpose Group we’re passionate about backing ambitious people who want to build their own businesses, and Andy is a great example of what’s possible.”
For Mr Phythian, the motivation behind his drive is deeply personal.
“My mum raised me on her own and worked incredibly hard when I was growing up,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to put myself in a position where I can create a strong future for my own family as well one day.”
Looking ahead, his ambitions remain big.
“I’d love to eventually build multiple offices and build upon my leadership skills while still staying involved in selling property,” he said.
“I love the people side of real estate: helping families move from one stage of life to the next.”
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