In episode 29 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with George Iacovou, Principal Financial Adviser and Founder of Great Advice, to unpack the financial decisions that shape long term success for Queensland property owners.

After founding Great Advice at just 23 years old, George has spent more than a decade helping individuals, families and business owners navigate investment, superannuation, insurance, retirement planning and wealth creation.

We cover:

- Building Great Advice from scratch: why George walked away from the traditional financial planning model, the lessons he learnt working for AMP, starting a business in his early 20s and how Great Advice grew through trust, referrals and long term client relationships.

- What Queensland property owners get wrong: the financial habits every homeowner should establish after settlement, why automation matters, the role of property in long term wealth creation, investment strategy, negative gearing, superannuation and the conversations property owners should be having before retirement.

- Trust, standards and the future of financial advice: the impact of the Royal Commission, why the number of financial advisers has almost halved, the importance of specialisation, avoiding property spruikers and how consumers can identify professionals who genuinely have their best interests at heart.

George shares practical insights on wealth creation, property ownership, retirement planning and why doing the non-sexy things today can completely change your future.

If you own property, are planning for retirement, building wealth or simply want to make better financial decisions, this episode is packed with practical advice on creating a plan, avoiding costly mistakes and building long term financial security.

Contact George: https://greatadvice.com.au/contact-us/
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://empirelegal.com.au/blog/
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au/

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In episode 28 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with Lara Paholski, CEO of LiveSign, to unpack the biggest regulatory change facing Queensland property professionals in more than a decade.

With AML/CTF Tranche 2 reforms commencing from 01 July 2026, lawyers, conveyancers, accountants and real estate agents will all face new obligations around identity verification, customer due diligence and anti-money laundering compliance.

As the CEO of one of Australia's leading verification of identity providers, Lara has spent years helping property professionals navigate digital identity, fraud prevention and compliance. In this episode, she breaks down what is changing, why it matters and what businesses need to do now.

We cover:

- Verification of Identity (VOI): what VOI actually is, how modern identity verification works, the role of biometrics and government-issued IDs, common fraud risks in property transactions and why secure digital verification is becoming increasingly important.

- AML Tranche 2: what the new anti-money laundering laws mean for lawyers, conveyancers, accountants and real estate agents, how prepared the industry really is and the practical steps businesses should be taking before the reforms commence.

- What it means for buyers and sellers: the additional checks clients can expect, why more questions will be asked throughout the transaction process and how these reforms are designed to better protect consumers and the property industry from fraud and financial crime.

If you work in real estate, conveyancing, law, finance or property, this episode is essential listening ahead of the AML/CTF changes and a valuable guide to understanding the future of compliance in Queensland property.

Contact Livesign: https://www.live-sign.com/resources/help
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://empirelegal.com.au/blog/
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au/

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In episode 27 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with Peter Burgin, Chief Auctioneer and Head of Performance at Ray White Collective, to unpack what it takes to build trust, perform at a high level and consistently deliver results in Queensland real estate.

With more than 23 years in the industry, over 15,000 auctions called and an REIQ Auctioneer of the Year title to his name, Peter is widely regarded as one of Queensland’s most respected auctioneers.

We cover:

- The journey: how Peter went from auctioning bulldozers, excavators and farm equipment to becoming one of Queensland’s leading property auctioneers, the lessons he learnt from selling more than 1,000 lots a day and why understanding the entire sales process matters.

- What buyers and sellers get wrong about auctions: the biggest misconceptions Peter sees before auction day, common mistakes buyers make, why preparation is everything and how great agents and auctioneers work together to create the best possible outcome.

- Performance, leadership and the future of auctions: Peter’s role as Head of Performance at Ray White Collective, how he helps develop the next generation of agents, the importance of trust and relationships and why continual improvement is critical in a changing property market.

From auction strategy and buyer psychology to leadership, performance and raising industry standards, this episode is packed with insights for agents, business owners and anyone involved in property.

Contact Peter: https://raywhitebulimba.com.au/agents/peter-burgin/179266
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://empirelegal.com.au/blog/
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au/

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From starting in real estate at just 18 years old to building one of the most recognised brands in Brisbane Bayside property, Tamara Hall’s career has been shaped by grit, mindset and an unwavering focus on trust. 

In episode 26 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with Tamara Hall, founder of Tamara Hall Properties, to unpack the mindset, resilience and client-first philosophy that helped her go from broke and rebuilding her career to becoming one of Brisbane’s most trusted property advisors.

Known for her community-driven approach in the Bayside and honest take on the realities of business ownership, Tamara shares the practical habits, emotional intelligence and manifestation techniques that have shaped both her personal life and professional success.

We cover:

- Manifesting and mindset: how Tamara uses visualisation, gratitude, discipline and mindset work as practical tools for success, why thoughts and feelings shape performance and the daily habits she believes can completely change the trajectory of your life and career.

- Building trust and reputation: the client experience principles behind nearly 400 verified reviews, why trust matters more than commission and how strong relationships, authenticity and genuinely caring for people creates long-term success in real estate.

- Going independent and building a legacy: why Tamara walked away from the franchise model after 17 years, the realities of launching her own brand, balancing burnout and leadership and what raising the bar really means in business, property and life.

If you work in real estate, business, sales or leadership, this episode is a proof that long-term success is built through mindset, resilience, trust and consistently showing up with good intentions.

Contact Tamara: https://www.tamarahallproperties.com/contact-us
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://empirelegal.com.au/blog/
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au/

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From working 84-hour weeks in the Surat Basin gas mines to becoming one of the top-performing Ray White agents in the world, Matt Micallef’s rise in Queensland real estate is anything but ordinary.

In episode 25 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with Matt Micallef, Owner and Selling Principal of Ray White TMG, to unpack the mindset, emotional intelligence and relentless work ethic that took him from door knocking for Foxtel to building one of the Gold Coast’s fastest growing real estate businesses. 

Now ranked 3rd in Queensland and 9th internationally across the Ray White Group, Matt shares the practical strategies, leadership lessons and raw realities behind building a high performance business in one of Australia’s most competitive industries.

We cover:

- The journey: how Matt went from engineering and underground gas mines to real estate, why he knocked on Ray White’s door five times before landing his first opportunity and what it actually took to build momentum from day one.

- Emotional intelligence as a competitive edge: how authenticity, trust, communication and treating clients like family became the foundation of Matt’s rapid growth, team culture and long term success.

- Competing beyond commission: practical advice on overcoming discount agents, building genuine trust, improving industry standards and his four key tips Matt believes separate the top 1% of agents from everyone else.

If you work in real estate, business, sales or leadership, this episode is a real look at what it takes to build something exceptional through grit, authenticity and consistently raising the bar.

Contact Matt: https://www.raywhite.com/matt-micallef/real-estate-agent/mm162510134?type=selling
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://empirelegal.com.au/blog/
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au/  

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From walking away from a commercial law career to join the State Theatre Company to becoming the first female and youngest ever CEO of the REIQ, Antonia Mercorella’s journey is anything but conventional.

In ep 24 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella to unpack the career pivots, legislative battles and leadership decisions that have helped shape modern Queensland real estate. 

Over more than a decade leading the REIQ, Antonia has been behind some of the industry’s biggest reforms - from defeating the controversial land tax proposal, to delivering mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD), driving Seller Disclosure reform and modernising one of Australia’s oldest industry institutions.

We cover:

- The journey: how Antonia went from theatre and law to leading Queensland real estate, what her unconventional career path taught her about leadership and why communication, advocacy and adaptability have been critical to her success.

- The fights that shaped the industry: the REIQ’s role in overturning Queensland’s land tax proposal, securing mandatory professional development for agents, leading major legislative reform and fighting for better outcomes for property professionals and consumers alike.

- Raising standards and leading change: Seller Disclosure, Realworks, leadership, housing advocacy and why lifting professionalism, consumer confidence and industry standards remains central to the future of Queensland real estate.

If you work in real estate, law, property or leadership, this episode is a real look at what it takes to influence reform, challenge government and genuinely raise the bar in one of Queensland’s most important industries.

Contact Antonia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonia-mercorella-8b516a43/

Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/

More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/

Check out our blogs: https://empirelegal.com.au/blog/

Website: https://empirelegal.com.au/

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Every year, Queensland buyers settle on properties with hidden risks they never saw coming. From unapproved building work and boundary disputes to title defects and fraud.

In episode 23 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with Paul Watkins, General Counsel at Stewart Title Australia, to unpack one of the most overlooked forms of buyer protection in Australian property: title insurance. 

With more than 20 years at the forefront of title insurance, legal reform and property risk management, Paul breaks down what title insurance actually is, why so many Australians still don’t know about it and the real life claims that can cost buyers tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

We cover:

- Title insurance explained: what title insurance actually covers, why it protects buyers for the life of ownership, how it differs from standard conveyancing due diligence and why it remains one of the most under-utilised risk management tools in Australian property.

- Real claims and hidden landmines: the most common title insurance claims in Queensland, including unapproved structures, boundary encroachments, council enforcement action and fraud, plus the real stories that show just how costly hidden property issues can become.

- Raising the bar in buyer protection: what lawyers, conveyancers, lenders and real estate agents need to do better when it comes to educating buyers, managing property risk and ensuring clients understand what their legal representation does and doesn’t cover.

If you’re buying property or working in real estate, this episode is a reminder that protecting your biggest asset starts with understanding the risks most buyers don’t even know exist.

Contact Paul: https://www.stewartau.com/about-us/leadership-team
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://empirelegal.com.au/blog/
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au/

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In episode 22 of Raising the Bar George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with Italian Knight and community icon Mariangela Stagnitti, who has spent over 40 years helping people get on their feet, not just financially, but in life.

Starting as a batch clerk in a local bank branch, Mariangela has built a career grounded in relationships, trust and showing up for her clients across multiple generations.

We cover:

- The journey: how Mariangela went from a batch clerk to becoming a trusted name in Brisbane’s Italian community and the lessons from her early years in banking that still shape how she works today.

- Empowering women: why she’s so passionate about helping women become financially independent, particularly through property and how she supports those navigating major life transitions like divorce, loss and starting over.

- Legacy and impact: the growth of the Italian Business Women’s Network with over 80,000 members, what it means to give back at that level and how her work has been recognised with Knighthood from the Italian President.

If you work in real estate, finance or deal with people making big financial decisions, this episode is a reminder that relationships and trust are what actually build long term success.

Contact Mariangela: https://ibw.network/contact/
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://empirelegal.com.au/blog/
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au/

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If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. 

In episode 21 of Raising the Bar, George Sourris from Empire Legal sits down with industry titan and ex REIQ Chairman Peter Brewer to unpack what it really means to lift standards in Queensland real estate.

From building a career that spans over four decades to leading major reform through the REIQ, Peter shares a no nonsense perspective on what’s working, what’s broken and what needs to change.

We cover:

- The career: how Peter built a brand that stands the test of time, what “raising the bar” actually means from his perspective and the key mentors and moments that shaped his journey from practitioner to industry educator and advocate.

- Industry advocacy and the hard conversations: where Peter’s direct approach comes from, the biggest gaps he still sees in agent training and support and why real change comes down to leadership, accountability and calling out poor behaviour.

- What’s next: where Queensland real estate is heading over the next 3-5 years, the biggest mistakes agents are still making today and what he would do differently if he was starting his career in today’s market.

If you’re in real estate or business and want a real look at how standards are actually lifted, this episode is a reminder that change happens when people decide to do something about it.

Contact Peter: https://thatpeterbrewer.com
Follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empirelegal/
More podcast episodes: https://empirelegal.com.au/podcast/
Check out our blogs: https://empirelegal.com.au/blog/
Website: https://empirelegal.com.au/

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Courtney Caulfield sits down with George Sourris from Empire Legal to share her journey from law to becoming one of Brisbane's most influential women in real estate.

We cover:

• Her pivot from law into Queensland real estate
• Building a personal brand that actually converts
• Balancing motherhood with high-performance selling
• What QLD buyers and sellers need to know right now

Full show notes + links: empirelegal.com.au/blog/news/episode-20-courtney-caulfield

Raising the Bar is Empire Legal's podcast for Queensland property - hosted by Brisbane-based conveyancing solicitor George Sourris. We chat to real estate agents, mortgage brokers, buyer's agents, building inspectors and property pros across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and beyond.

Need a conveyancer for your next QLD property purchase or sale? Visit empirelegal.com.au or call 07 3088 7675.

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