Harcourts Ignite - Hervey Bay

As the Principal of Harcourts Ignite, Michael Vella is a distinguised real estate professional with an exceptional track record in the industry. With four offices in Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Childers & Bundaberg, Michael has established himself as a trusted leader within the Harcourts Group, setting a standard of excellence that resonates throughout the organisation. Leading by example, Michael fosters a culture of professionalism, integrity, and honesty, earning him a reputation for trustworthiness and outstanding service. Michael's numerous industry awards and success can be attributed not only to his extensive real estate knowledge but his commitment to understanding people and their unique needs and goals that has earned him a loyal following and numerous ongoing referrals. As a third generation Farmer and well-travelled Business Leader, Michael's expertise spans across residential, farming, rural and commercial real estate, business sales, investment properties and property development projects. Not only a successful selling Principal, Michael is also a respected mentor and leader in the real estate community, sharing his knowledge and expertise to help nurture the next generation of industry leaders. His indepth understanding of market trends, negotiation skills, and marketing strategies enables him to successfully lead his team of Sales Agents and help them provide their clients with a distinct advantage in every real estate transaction. Looking ahead, Michael is committed to the further growth of Harcourts Ignite's footprint while maintaining our core values of integrity, excellence, client satisfaction and continuing to build trusted partnerships. Michael's remarkable journey in real estate and commitment to helping his Sales Agents become as successful and client-centric as they can possibly be, has solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the industry. With a wealth of experience and vision, Michael is the driving force behind Harcourts continued success in helping clients achieve their real estate dreams.

Shelly has a passion for real estate and it shows! Her career and experience in the industry spans from specialist fields of Business Development, Property Manager through to Sales Specialist. Shelly's professionalism and confidence ensures that her client’s expectations are always exceeded. Her vivacious and highly approachable personality define integrity and honesty and it is these qualities, together with her communication and negotiation skills that make Shelly an ideal choice when buying or selling property in the Wide Bay Region.

A third generation businessperson and entrepreneur, Rhys has extensive experience of business development and operations. Rhys has achieved his acclaim in the last 12 years in researching, building, and operating his own accommodation business in the highly competitive backpacker market locally. Rhys prides himself on providing positive outcomes and solutions for existing businesspeople, while also looking to promote growth and prosperity for the future. Having the support of Michael and Julie Vella who have extensive regional and commerce experience, as well as the support of a highly skilled admin team, Rhys has the confidence and skillset to ensure he can provide the best service possible and achieve the most desirable outcomes for clients. When you choose Rhys as your Agent, you are not only engaging one Agent in one location to sell your property, you are supercharging the power of 17 Agents in four locations throughout the Wide Bay, all working together to get your property SOLD.

Cathie is an experienced sales professional with over 25 years of sales experience across diverse industries, Cathie has honed a relationship-driven approach to customer service, allowing her to build a strong referral and repeat business network. Her commitment to honest, transparent communication and delivering a high standard of service has earned her a reputation for excellence. Since joining the Harcourts Hervey Bay team in 2021, Cathie has achieved outstanding success, selling over $52 million worth of real estate in just four years. With a deep passion for property, she proudly states, "Selling real estate truly is my dream job." Proud to share one of the most meaningful milestones in my real estate career so far. For the 2024–2025 year, I was honoured to be awarded 2nd Place for Customer Experience in Queensland with Harcourts. This recognition means a great deal to me because it isn’t based on sales numbers, it’s built on the experiences, feedback, and trust of my clients, Vendors and Buyers. Cathie’s exceptional negotiation skills, vast industry connections, and unwavering dedication ensure her clients receive a personalized and polished real estate experience. Cathie is a highly accomplished real estate professional, recently recognized as Queensland’s No. 1 Agent for Excellence in Customer Service for the 2024 Quarter. This prestigious award is a testament to Cathie’s unwavering dedication to her clients, her commitment to exceptional service, and her ability to consistently exceed expectations. Whether buying or selling, her clients can expect nothing less than dedication, professionalism, and results that speak for themselves. As a local resident, Cathie combines her market expertise, energy, and enthusiasm to deliver outstanding results, earning the trust of her clients and generating a strong network of referrals.