From 2000 to 2025, Duncan Gordon’s commitment to Newtown property owners endures

One of Sydney’s Inner West’s most respected real estate agents, Duncan Gordon—Director of Raine & Horne Newtown—is celebrating a significant career milestone, marking 25 years with the iconic real estate brand and helping guide property owners and buyers in one of Australia’s most dynamic real estate markets.

Since joining Raine & Horne Newtown on 1 July 2000, Mr Gordon has been one of the cornerstones of the award-winning office, alongside fellow directors Gerard Hill, who joined in 1999, and Michael Harris, who became a director in 2005.

Together, the leadership trio has built a powerhouse business that remains a fixture in the ever-evolving Inner West property market. Under the guidance of Mr Hill, Mr Gordon, and Mr Harris, Raine & Horne Newtown has experienced substantial growth across both property management and sales.

Since 2000, Raine & Horne Newtown has increased its monthly property management revenues by more than 1,500%, including managing a significant portfolio for Transport for New South Wales. The team also services the investment properties of high-net-worth clients.

Over the same period, average sales commissions for Raine & Horne Newton have grown by more than 230%.

One-club player marks 25 years at the heart of Newtown’s property boom

After 25 years with Raine & Horne Newtown, Duncan Gordon has seen it all—booms, busts, and everything in between. But through it all, his commitment to clients and passion for the Inner West haven’t wavered.

Mr Gordon said, “I suppose you could say I’m a one-club player.

“It’s been 25 years of doing what I love—servicing my clients, being there for them through some of the biggest moments of their lives and never losing sight of how important our role is in their property journeys.”

Widely recognised for his consistency and empathy, Mr Gordon has long been one of Newtown’s top-performing agents, navigating market cycles including booms, global financial crisis and pandemics, while witnessing firsthand the suburb’s evolution from an affordable, eclectic fringe area to one of Sydney’s most desirable lifestyle destinations.

“Newtown used to be where people bought because it was the cheapest place close to the city,” Mr Gordon recalled. “Today, it’s still a cultural melting pot, but it’s also a lifestyle destination in its own right.”

From $400K to $2M — why experience still matters in Newtown’s booming market

In 2000, the median house price in Newtown was around $400,000. By 2025, that figure has climbed to nearly $2 million.

“But while prices have changed dramatically, the emotional journey for sellers and buyers is still the same—and that’s where experience really matters,” Mr Gordon said.

“Over time, you learn to anticipate what’s coming. Most sellers go through the same rollercoaster of emotions—stress, uncertainty, pressure—and experience helps you support them through it.

“A lot has changed in 25 years—from the way we advertise to increasing compliance and changing consumer expectations. But one thing hasn’t changed – and that is human emotion. Our role is still to guide people through one of life’s biggest financial and emotional decisions.”

Why the agent still matters in an instant digital world

Mr Gordon has always maintained that it’s the agent—not the platform or the advertising—that ultimately drives the success of a sale.

“In 25 years, I’ve never lost sight of how important it is to be present in those crucial moments for my clients.

“That often means making personal sacrifices—giving up family time to be in the trenches with clients. Every four weeks, there’s a new campaign, a new client, and a new emotional journey.”

Mr Gordon has also seen the pace of the real estate business accelerate as digital platforms have raised expectations.

“As a society, we’ve evolved—and so have expectations. With social media and instant information, buyers want everything immediately,” he said.

“Back in 2000, people found open homes in the Saturday paper. Now, listings go live on Monday, and buyers expect to inspect them that night. It’s more intense, and there’s far more to manage in terms of backend compliance and communication.”

A strong values-led culture and commitment to innovation drive long-standing loyalty

Mr Gordon credits Raine & Horne’s values-led culture as a key reason for his long-standing commitment to the brand.

“I’ve always felt aligned with Raine & Horne—there’s a strong sense of family, authenticity, and genuine support from Max Raine in the early days and now Angus Raine and the broader network,” Mr Gordon noted.

“It’s a big brand, but it doesn’t feel corporate. Angus knows who you are, and there’s a real culture of support across the offices. It’s a great community—respectful, helpful, and people-focused.”

He also praised Raine & Horne’s leadership in real estate technology.

“They were first to market with Amplify, their AI-powered social media marketing platform, and they continue to be early adopters. That support gives us the tools we need to stay ahead, deliver real value to clients, and achieve standout results.”

Fellow director Gerard Hill described Mr Gordon as “one of the most empathetic and consistent agents in the game.”

“These days, many people enter real estate expecting to be writing massive numbers within three years,” Mr Hill said.

“But it doesn’t work like that—real success takes time. Duncan’s ‘overnight success’ has taken 25 years of hard work, consistency, and genuine care for his clients.”

Mr Hill continued: “Duncan’s greatest strength is his empathy. He truly cares about how people feel throughout the process.

“There’s a quote I keep in the office that sums him up: ‘Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, and how you leave others feeling after an experience with you becomes your trademark.’ That’s Duncan to a tee.”