Experienced duo takes the helm at Raine & Horne Gladstone as local market surges

The dynamic leadership team of Nathan Green and Aaron Fiora, has officially taken over the reins of Raine & Horne Gladstone, building on the outstanding legacy of long-term principal Mark Patton.

The transition comes as the Central Queensland property powerhouse that launched in 1985 celebrates remarkable recent success, having taken out the Top Office awards for Number of Sales Transactions and Gross Commission Income (GCI) at the 2025 Raine & Horne Queensland Awards for Excellence held in Brisbane recently, which Mr Green attended.

Sales star Steven James was also named the Top Salesperson for GCI and Number of Sales Transactions while emerging agent Kristal Turner ranked fifth for GCI and won the Best New Talent award.

The transition marks a new chapter for Raine & Horne Gladstone, with Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne, acknowledging the legacy left by Mark Patton and the exciting future under the new leadership team.

“Mark Patton has built a fantastic business over many years, and we’re proud to see Nathan and Aaron carry forward his outstanding legacy. Their combined expertise and fresh energy will undoubtedly enhance the strong foundations Mark has established, driving growth across sales and rentals in the Gladstone region.”

New team to enhance marketing, property management, and local sales focus

The new owners bring a well-rounded blend of experience and expertise to the business.

Mr Green, who lives in Gladstone, offers a strong background in property management and residential property sales. At the same time, Mr Fiora is an accomplished marketer, filmmaker, and digital strategist. Together, they co-founded a thriving short-term holiday rental company on the Gold Coast before successfully selling the enterprise in late 2023.

“We’re not here to reinvent the wheel, with the sales team humming along brilliantly,” Mr Green said.

“Mark Patton built a fantastic business over many years, and we’re proud to build on his legacy while bringing new energy to support growth across sales and rentals.”

Mr Patton, who remains a trusted adviser to the team, leaves behind a high-performing office recognised statewide. “It’s business as usual at Raine & Horne Gladstone with the entire staff retained,” Mr Green said.

Mr Fiora said the decision to acquire Raine & Horne Gladstone was driven by the region’s strong growth prospects and the office’s solid performance. “Gladstone is a growing market, and the numbers stacked up—making this an exciting opportunity. I'm looking forward to enhancing the Raine & Horne brand in the region.”

Affordability, tight rental market and strong yields position Gladstone as a top pick for buyers and investors

According to Mr Green, the decision to acquire the Gladstone business was motivated not just by strong financials, but also by the region’s welcoming community and compelling investment potential.

With house prices rising by 30% over the past year and apartment values up nearly 16%, he remains confident in Gladstone’s ongoing growth, forecasting annual gains of around 10% in 2025.

A recent example is Ms Turner’s sale of 10 Ailsa Street, West Gladstone[i]. Positioned in a prime location close to the town centre, the older-style home on a generous 809 square metre block sold for approximately $325,000—nearly 10% above the vendor’s expectations after being listed for offers over $299,000.

“Large blocks of this size and proximity are increasingly rare, highlighting the strong demand in the local market.”

Mr Green said Gladstone continues offering exceptional value for home buyers and investors, particularly compared to major capital cities. “You can still buy a well-presented four-bedroom property on a generous block for around $500,000 or secure an apartment near the waterfront and cafes for $300,000 to $400,000,” he said.

“For Sydney homeowners who’ve just sold for $1.5 million, Gladstone presents the opportunity to buy two properties outright for the same amount. That level of affordability is increasingly rare.”

Mr Green noted that strong interstate investment interest is fuelled by real estate affordability and Gladstone’s robust local economy.

“There’s a lot of heavy industry here—from coal exports and smelters to manufacturing and logistics—anchored by Queensland’s largest and Australia’s fifth largest multi-commodity port. It is the world’s fourth-largest coal exporting terminal and continues to support a high-demand workforce.

“Because of the robust economy, we’re seeing consistently strong rental returns. Occupancy rates are extremely high, which is attracting savvy investors from Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast—many buying sight unseen.”

One example is 3/143 Toolooa Street, South Gladstone[ii], currently listed by Mr James for $295,000. The property is tenanted by a long-term resident who has lived there for six years and recently renewed their lease through to 2026 at $340 per week, offering investors immediate income and reliable returns.

“Properties like this are receiving multiple enquiries from interstate investors. The yield that can be as much as 6% gross and demand here make it a standout regional market,” Mr Green added.

Raine & Horne’s strong culture, innovative tools, and network-wide support are the perfect fit

Mr Green said the decision to align with Raine & Horne was reinforced after attending the group’s national awards night earlier this year.

“Our first impression of the brand came at the Raine & Horne Awards in February, where we saw just how united and energised the network is,” he said. “The event showcased the brand’s strength, the culture of recognition, and the genuine support for high-performing offices and individuals.”

He added that while the team had some familiarity with the brand before joining, the event gave them a clear sense that Raine & Horne was the right fit.

“The energy in the room and how the group brings its people together really stood out. We knew then that this was the brand we wanted to align with.”

Mr Green said the team has also been impressed by Raine & Horne’s suite of marketing and digital tools, including AI-powered social media platform Amplify and online listing and proposal tool DigiKitPlus.

“We’re getting across the platforms quickly, and we’re finding they’re intuitive, easy to use, and help us bring properties to market professionally,” he said.