Real estate icon Stan Platis set to 're-fire' after 33 years with Independent Property Group

Over his colourful career, Stan Platis has loved nothing more than sharing his passion for real estate with up-and-coming property professionals.

During his three decades with Canberra’s Independent Property Group (IPG), Stan has recruited and mentored some of the country’s leading real estate agents and, as he steps back from his day-to-day job, he looks forward to watching the young guns take the lead.

“One of my greatest achievements has been coaching and mentoring agents who have gone on to become successful in Canberra and right around Australia,” he said.

Stan is departing his role as executive director of IPG Residential Sales but will stay on as a member of the IPG Board. He remains vice president of the Real Estate Institute ACT (REIACT), where he is also a life member.

“I leave [my role at IPG] with a full heart and look forward to new challenges,” he said.

“It’s not time to retire, it’s time to re-fire!”

“2023 marks our 20th wedding anniversary and my 60th birthday, and I’ve been asked to speak at a conference in Crete in mid-July, so I’ll be keeping busy.”

Stan says after taking a short break to “recalibrate”, he will turn his mind to new ventures.

Stan began his career as a sales agent in 1991 with Independent’s Reg Daly Real Estate before progressing to sales manager at Federation Real Estate and then principal at RO Wellsmore Tuggeranong. In the late 1990s, all three organisations were renamed Independent Property Group, and Stan joined IPG Corporate in 2005.

He says the real estate business has evolved significantly over that time, but the crucial elements of building strong relationships and good communication remain unchanged.

“New agents must have a desire to want to talk to people one-on-one,” he said.

“Good agents work hard to achieve a successful outcome for their clients. At the same time, they need to be good communicators.

“All the new technology is wonderful, but agents must know how to talk to people.

“It’s easy to sit at a computer all day, but meeting with your clients and giving them feedback – that is what builds relationships and trust.

“To me, real estate has always been about people and creating lifelong relationships.

“I love the work and I love the people, and that will never change.”

When Stan started out, the industry was male-dominated, and his focus at IPG over the past five years has been on changing the face and reputation of real estate to become more inclusive.

“There was a perception that real estate hours were untenable for women or people at home with young kids. But now, with the help of technology, more flexible work arrangements are possible,” he said.

“I’ve worked really hard to build career paths and ensure everyone at Independent has had an opportunity to succeed. There’s no ceiling. The sky’s the limit for anyone that has that drive.”

While the market is changing, Stan says successful careers in real estate are still attainable if agents ensure they are covering the basics.

“I am excited that higher training standards are becoming paramount in real estate. We are an industry but a professional industry,” he added.

IPG CEO Kylie Dennis has praised Stan’s commitment to his work and passion for the industry.

“Stan has made a huge contribution to Independent Property Group in his more than three decades of service to the real estate industry.

“He combines his passion for people and knowledge of the market in a really special way and so many agents benefit from his mentorship and guidance. We wish him the very best in his next chapter.”

The real estate icon has also made his mark on the Canberra community, having been involved with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canberra, the ACT Olympic fundraising committee and the Walk Around the Lake diabetes fundraiser.

He sits on the Independent Foundation Board and has rallied behind Menslink, Ronald McDonald House and helped raise money for a breast screening machine at Canberra Hospital.

“I’ve had an incredible career for which I am very grateful,” he said.

Stan is proud to have been able to train and mentor upcoming agents and says he tries to teach his agents and his two kids to “live life with no regrets”, adding, “at work or at home, you’ve got to have fun – every day”.