Third-party veteran joins property group

Antony Bucello, National Property Buyers Victorian state manager, said it was a huge coup for the business to secure someone of Michael Russell’s calibre.

“Our business is presently receiving an unprecedented level of enquiries from homebuyers and investors seeking professional assistance,” Mr Bucello said.

“With the business growing at such a rapid rate, it’s reassuring to have someone like Michael Russell assisting with our strategic planning to take advantage of the many opportunities that are coming our way.

“Long before Michael became CEO of Mortgage Choice, he successfully guided many small businesses to achieve their corporate aspirations. The great thing about Michael joining National Property Buyers is that he’s very passionate about helping people purchase property and for investors to have that property managed prudently.”

Michael Russell said he is excited to be joining National Property Buyers and is looking forward to helping map its expansion plans in the coming years.

“I’m delighted to be joining a business that places the customer at the centre of everything they do and do well,” Mr Russell said.

“The business has an impeccable track record for helping homebuyers to purchase a property at a fair price and for advising homeowners, in the sales process, to achieve an above expectations price."

“It also has a wonderful property management division to help investors manage their investment property.”

In today’s white-hot property market, it’s imperative to seek advice to avoid paying a premium and take the stress out of searching for the right property, Mr Russell said.

“The team at National Property Buyers genuinely care for our customers and it’s this care and steely focus on customer outcomes that made my decision an easy one when approached,” he said, adding that the alignment with mortgage brokers is also both seamless and logical.

“Brokers first and foremost want their customers to receive the same service excellence as they themselves provide and also want to refer them to an organisation where they can be insulated from competitive threats.”

Stephen McGee, the group’s state manager of Queensland, was excited that Mr Russell’s appointment would send a strong message to the mortgage broker community that National Property Buyers is an ideal business partner.

“We presently deal with lots of mortgage brokers to help their customers, particularly their investor customers, find the right property and then manage it for them,” Mr McGee said.

“Many of the properties we find for our customers are off-market and we are able to secure them at a fair and reasonable price and in so doing avoid a bidding frenzy.”

National Property Buyers has offices in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast, and has plans to soon open in Perth, Sydney, Darwin and the ACT.

[Related: Mortgage Choice CEO announces retirement]