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After more than a decade operating at the sharp end of Brisbane’s inner-north market, Patrick McKinnon has learned to recognise the signs of a strong year before the numbers show it.
Depth of buyers. Speed of decision-making. Clean preparation. And a team rhythm that reduces friction rather than creates it.
It’s why he’s backing 2026 to be his team’s strongest year yet.
“This isn’t a market call - it’s a business call. When you’ve been in the industry long enough, you know when the fundamentals inside your own operation are lining up,” he shared.
Pat said buyer behaviour had shifted last year, but in his view, that’s creating opportunity for teams that are prepared.
“Buyers are more educated, but they’re also more decisive when the information is right,” he said.
“That puts pressure on preparation and communication. If you get that wrong, you feel it immediately.”
At the centre of the buyer side of his team is Naomi Butterworth, Pat’s sister, whose focus is managing buyer depth and decision-making across campaigns.
Her role is less about volume and more about judgement - knowing who’s real, who’s close, and how to move conversations forward without forcing them.
“Good buyers don’t want to be pushed; they want clarity, timing and confidence in the advice. When that’s right, negotiations become far more efficient,” Naomi said.
On the ground is Liam Seeto, whose background as a qualified electrician and experience in construction adds a practical layer to the team’s work.
Since entering real estate in 2022, he’s become known for gaining early access to homes, understanding properties at a technical level and uncovering opportunities before they become competitive.
“Preparation is everything and if you understand the property properly and do the work early, you’re not reacting later - you’re controlling the pace,” Liam said.
Behind the scenes, Kristy Imbrogno, Pat’s executive assistant, provides the operational discipline that keeps campaigns tight and communication clean.
With timelines, transactions and follow-up handled seamlessly, the rest of the team can stay focused on performance rather than process.
“When things run properly internally, it shows externally; clients feel calm, and the team stays sharp,” Kristy said.
Pat said what sets this year apart isn’t a change in direction, but a reduction in drag.
“Everyone knows their role, decisions happen faster, and we’re spending more time doing the work that actually moves deals forward,” he shared.
Rather than chasing scale, the focus is on leverage, extracting more value from the same markets through better preparation, better buyer management and tighter execution.
As competition tightens across Brisbane’s prestige suburbs, Pat believes teams with depth, alignment and clarity will continue to pull ahead.
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