Ryan Houston - Presence Real Estate

Ryan Houston - Presence Real Estate Moments worth talking about. DM/Call 0400 377 424 to discuss your next move
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15/06/2026

[2:05pm]

WIIFM – What’s In It For Me?

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned in sales, business, and life is that everyone is asking themselves the same question:

“What’s in it for me?”

The mistake most people make is walking into a conversation already thinking about what they want.

The best salespeople, leaders, and negotiators do the opposite. They listen first.

Active listening is the key.
If you don’t truly understand someone’s problem, you’re not solving their problem,you’re only solving your own.

Ask questions.
Listen carefully.
Take notes.
Do your research.

Then repeat back what you’ve heard so the other person knows they’ve been understood.

“Just so I’ve got this right, what you’re saying is…”

That simple step builds trust and often uncovers the real issue that needs solving.

Once you understand what’s important to them, you can create a solution that helps them achieve their outcome while also achieving yours. That’s where true win-win situations are created.

Whether you’re selling a product, negotiating a deal, leading a team, or building relationships, remember:
People don’t care how much you know until they know you’ve listened.

Understand their WIIFM, solve their problem, and everybody wins.

12/06/2026

[1:23pm]

Watching the demand in suburbs over the years has been quite fascinating to watch and when you look at it on a birds eye view it actually forms a pretty clear picture on what is going to be the best performing suburbs over the next five years especially in the lower price points. What’s your opinion on the best performance suburb over the next five years? And why?

11/06/2026

[4:56pm]

The good old-fashioned 1,000m², or quarter-acre block, is unfortunately becoming a thing of the past in many new greenfield developments.

This isn’t being driven by planning policy or government regulations. It’s being driven by one thing: affordability.

In the Hunter region, for example, the average block size in many new land subdivisions is now closer to 500m². Interestingly, demand often increases as block sizes get smaller. Not because buyers necessarily want less land, but because smaller blocks make home ownership more achievable.

When you factor in the cost of the land and the construction of a brand-new home, many buyers are reaching the limits of their borrowing capacity. For a lot of families, that upper limit is now somewhere between $850,000 and $1,000,000.

As a result, developers are delivering smaller lots to keep the total purchase price within reach of the market. That’s the key factor driving sales in many of today’s greenfield subdivisions.

10/06/2026

[4:05am]

The NSW planning system is about to undergo one of its biggest changes in years.

From 1 July 2026, the new Development Coordination Authority (DCA) will become the central point for coordinating many state agency approvals and referrals.

The objective is simple: less duplication, faster decisions, and more homes delivered sooner.

Will it work? Time will tell.

What’s your view on the new DCA?

09/06/2026

[4:31pm]

What if owning your own home was actually cheaper than renting?

Let’s look at a real example.

A brand-new 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1 car townhouse priced at $740,000.

Under the Federal Government’s Help to Buy scheme, eligible buyers may only need:

- $14,800 deposit (2%)

- Government contributes up to $296,000 (40%)

- Bank loan approximately $429,200

At today’s interest rates, repayments are approximately $595 per week.

The surprising part?

The same properties rental appraisal is for around $680 per week.

That’s right.

You could be paying around $680 per week towards your landlord’s mortgage.

Or approximately $595 per week towards owning your own home.

Of course, there are additional ownership costs such as rates, strata and maintenance, and the government shares in future capital growth. However, for many buyers, this scheme could be the difference between staying on the sidelines and getting into the market.

The biggest challenge for most first home buyers isn’t the weekly repayment.

It’s getting the deposit together and qualifying for finance.

If you’re curious whether you qualify for the Help to Buy scheme, comment HOME below and I’ll send you some information.

Or send me a private message and I’ll happily point you in the right direction.

04/06/2026

[11:40am]

Property developers: are you using the right square metre rates in your feasibility?

I recently spoke about Newcastle West as a perfect example of why understanding local market nuances is critical.

Within the same suburb, some apartment stock is selling around $8,500–$9,000 per square metre, while premium new developments are achieving $14,000–$15,500 per square metre.

That’s an enormous gap.

The difference often comes down to building age, quality, presentation, buyer demand, strata considerations, location within the suburb, and overall product offering.

For developers, getting this wrong can dramatically impact your feasibility and your profit margin.

If you currently own or are assessing:

Development sites
DA-approved projects
Villa developments
Townhouse projects
Apartment projects
Subdivision opportunities

Feel free to reach out.

I’m happy to provide my opinion on potential sale rates, gross realisation values and market positioning based on current buyer activity across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

Comment below or send me a direct message.

28/05/2026

[2:27pm]

I’m looking for ideas on the next potential series, a countdown series, a top 10 series. Please put in the comments below or direct message me your ideas

27/05/2026

[10:11am]

200 days straight of meditation.

Only 5 to 10 minutes a day.
Nothing crazy.
But it’s reinforced something massive for me.

Success is built in the small daily actions.

Reading a few pages.
Training daily.
Eating healthy food.
Meditating.
Going to bed early.
Doing what you said you were going to do.

Today’s Daily Stoic talked about sweating the small stuff and I genuinely believe that’s the secret.

The process creates momentum.
Momentum creates confidence.
Confidence creates bigger action.

Most people want the big result without mastering the tiny habits first.

The small things snowball into big things over time.

Stay consistent.
Trust the process.
Keep stacking days.

25/05/2026

[9:04am]

1 BILLION dollars.
1,400 apartments.
29 storey towers.

Marketown West is set for one of the biggest transformations Newcastle has ever seen.

The proposal includes six towers, retail activation, restaurants, public plazas and major CBD expansion over the next decade.

Newcastle is no longer thinking small.

Would you live here?

25/05/2026

[10:04am]

BIG questions are now being asked about Newcastle’s future.

Newly revealed government documents reportedly assessed Newcastle as a possible East Coast Naval Base for Australia’s future nuclear submarines under AUKUS.

The upside?
Hundreds of millions in economic activity, major infrastructure investment and thousands of long-term jobs.

The downside?
Potential impacts on property values, concerns around becoming a military target and serious questions over the future of Newcastle’s container terminal ambitions.

This is far bigger than just defence.

This is about what Newcastle becomes over the next 20 to 30 years.

A defence city?
A logistics and trade powerhouse?
A lifestyle destination?
Or somehow all three?

Very interesting times ahead for Newcastle.

What are your thoughts?

Address

Level 2-16 Telford Street
Newcastle, NSW
2300

Telephone

+61400377424

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