For many agency owners, the dream of owning a real estate business begins with the promise of freedom, time with family, lifestyle flexibility, and the chance to build something of lasting value. But between the vision and reality lies a journey of leadership challenges, financial learning curves, and daily decisions that determine whether that business becomes a burden or an asset.

In this episode I chat with Rob Honeycombe, a seasoned real estate professional turned rent roll broker to unpack what it really takes to not just start a real estate agency, but grow one that’s profitable, sustainable, and ultimately saleable.

Rob brings more than 30 years of hands-on experience, offering rare insight into the biggest opportunities and blind spots agency owners face from predictable cash flow and lending leverage to team leadership and knowing when it’s time to sell.

Whether you’re just starting out, scaling your agency, or planning your exit, this episode will leave you with clear, actionable wisdom on how to build your business with the end in mind.

“If you're building your rent roll, really it's about focusing on getting the best possible fee income. And as much as you can, choose landlords' clients that are prepared to spend money on maintenance, that understand you're the expert, and when you give them advice whether it’s about a lease renewal, the choice of tenant, or a maintenance item, they should listen to it.” - Rob Honeycombe

We explore:

Why real estate businesses are easier to start and run than many other small businesses
How a rent roll gives you steady income and can help you borrow money or sell your business later
Why being a good leader matters more than just being a good property manager or salesperson
What makes a rent roll attractive to buyers and how to build yours the right way
Common mistakes that can hurt your business value and how to avoid them
Rob’s honest take on what he’d do differently if he started an agency today
Why real estate business owners need better training and support not just sales skills
How to balance your personal lifestyle goals with running a successful agency
Why learning how to negotiate well is one of the most important skills in real estate

Kylie’s Resources:

Property Management Growth School: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/TPM-BDMSchool

Digital Marketing School: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/digitalschool

That Property Mum Courses: https://www.thatpropertymum.com.au/courses/

The PM Accelerate Membership: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/accelerate

Book a Strategy Call with Kylie: https://calendly.com/kylie-tpm/coaching-call

Kolmeo: https://kolmeo.com/

Sensor Global: https://sensorinsure.com/ https://sensorglobal.com/

HD&U Sales Bundle:

Why Own A Real Estate Agency With Rob Ho...