Winners in our Midst: Joe Pullos – Designing the Dream with Coast Buyer’s Agency

For many of us, the ‘Great Australian Dream’ of property ownership is a lifelong pursuit. But for Joe Pullos, Founder and Principal Buyer’s Agent at Coast Buyer’s Agency, it was more than just a dream – it was a calling that refused to stay on the sidelines.

In this month’s edition of Winners in Our Midst, we shine the spotlight on a man who took a 25-year side hustle and turned it into a thriving, full-service business that helps others navigate the complex world of Australian real estate. 

From Passion to Profession
Joe’s journey into entrepreneurship wasn't a snap decision; it was a decades-long evolution. While building a successful international career in corporate marketing, Joe spent a quarter of a century moonlighting as a property enthusiast – buying, renovating, and flipping homes for himself, and always helping out friends and family with property advice and auction bidding.

Eventually, the passion simply took over. Joe decided to trade the corporate boardroom for the auction floor, turning his love for property into his full-time occupation. The catalyst for Coast Buyer’s Agency was his own lived experience as an expat splitting time between Singapore and the Gold Coast. He realised that buying property from afar was fraught with challenges and that expats needed a trusted partner on the ground to make the process stress-free.

More Than Just Buying
Based on the Gold Coast while also servicing Brisbane and Sydney, Coast Buyer’s Agency has been operating for nearly four years. Whilst it is, at its core, a buyer’s advocacy business – handling everything from sourcing and due diligence to bidding and negotiation – Joe’s ‘Aha!’ moment came when he realised he could offer something more.

Leveraging his qualifications as an interior designer, Joe integrated a property concierge and styling service into the business. This created a 100% turnkey solution that means clients don’t just get a set of keys; they can choose a process that results in a home that is styled, furnished, and ready to live in. It was a bold creative move that paid off: this value-add now accounts for approximately 65% of the business’s revenue, proving that clients are looking for a complete lifestyle solution, not just a transaction.

The Rollercoaster of Success
Like any entrepreneur, Joe has seen both giddy highs and testing lows. His ultimate ‘pinch-me’ moment came early in the journey, when he negotiated the purchase of a $27 million penthouse directly with one of Australia’s premier developers – a personal hero of his, no less! Sitting across the table from an industry titan and closing a deal of that magnitude felt like validation, and confirmation that he would thrive in his new career.

However, the industry isn't without its pitfalls. One particularly challenging deal involving a less-than-honest real estate agent was a stark reminder that, while property is often about bricks and mortar, it is fundamentally about people. Thanks to his strict due diligence process, the issue was uncovered, protecting his client from a potentially disastrous outcome.
 

Advice from the Front Line
If you were to sit down with Joe for a coffee (or a wine) to discuss building a business, his advice would be grounded in reality. "Be prepared to work very, very hard," he says. He emphasises that entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster of emotions and, before you strap yourself in, you need to ensure your personal foundation is solid. "Make sure your personal life is in good shape," Joe advises. "You need to be secure in yourself, your relationship, and your home life before you undertake the journey."

Reflecting on what he wishes he’d known at the start, Joe points to the patience required in marketing. He cautions against the allure of digital agencies promising overnight leads. Instead, he insists that building brand trust is a long game, and that your personal brand is ultimately your most powerful lead magnet.

Connecting with Coast Buyer’s Agency
For AustCham Singapore members, talking to Joe might be a good fit if you are looking to build wealth through an Australian property portfolio, or if you are an expat looking to secure your Australian family home in advance of your eventual repatriation. He understands the anxiety of feeling like you are ‘missing the market’ and seeks to provide a smooth, stress-free pathway to securing your slice of the Australian lifestyle. You can contact him via email at joep@coastbuyersagency.com. 

Your Story Next? 
Are you an SME member with a great story to tell? AustCham Singapore is always looking to share the successes of our community. If you would like your business to be considered for a future article in our Winners in our Midst series, please email your interest to members@austcham.org.sg. We look forward to celebrating your achievements!