My Property Journey
What started as a simple desire to build financial security has grown into a genuine passion and ultimately a career, that continues to influence who I am and how I live. The portfolio I have built alongside my husband wasn’t built overnight. It was built through mistakes, hard work, research, and learning, one property at a time.
When we purchased our first investment in 2001, we didn’t fully understand what we were stepping into. We made errors, underestimated costs, and learned the hard way about due diligence. But every challenge made us smarter, more confident, and more strategic. By the time we purchased our next property, we were approaching it with sharper eyes and stronger instincts. That became the pattern; every property became a teacher, and every lesson strengthened our foundation.
Some of our greatest achievements have been the renovations we’ve completed across Brisbane. These weren’t passive investments; they were hands-on transformations. We’ve gone through DA approvals, navigated council processes, managed timelines, and spent countless hours “on the tools” doing the work ourselves. We’ve built relationships with tradies, learned to coordinate multiple trades at once, and found ways to solve construction problems on the fly. Those experiences taught us resilience, patience, and the importance of understanding the mechanics of property from the inside out.
Through this journey, property became more than an investment strategy. It became a passion woven into our lifestyle. Renovating, planning, researching, negotiating, we loved every part of it. That passion naturally led me into a career in commercial property development, where I’ve had the privilege of working across a spectrum of projects. From large-scale developments with publicly listed companies to intimate, small-format ventures like cafés and restaurants, I’ve experienced the industry from all angles. Each project sharpened my ability to identify value, solve problems, and create outcomes that create impact and deliver strong returns.
Looking back, our portfolio is a reflection of growth, not just financial, but personal and professional. We’ve learned that property rewards those who are willing to do the work, adapt quickly, and keep learning. We’ve made mistakes, but we turned each one into momentum. We’ve pushed ourselves, backed ourselves, and built something meaningful for our family’s future.
Property isn’t just something we do, it’s a passion that continues to guide us, whether we’re investing, renovating, developing, or helping others start their own journey. Being a Buyer’s Agent enables me to share my passion for property with others and pass on the knowledge that I have learnt along the way. Below is a small sample of the renovations we have undertaken over the years that have formed part of a portfolio spanning both residential and commercial properties.
Here’s just some of our renovations over the years…
Turned a great home, into something magical that captured views of the city and the storey bridge.
Reinvigorated this character house that was long neglected into an elegant inner city home.
A classic worst house in the best street in Paddington, transformed after a century of neglect.
About Hayley Mcleod - Principal Agent
Hayley Mcleod has been passionate about property from a young age. At just 21, she and her husband purchased their first home in an up-and-coming suburb - a bold move that would become the foundation for a lifelong journey in real estate.
Over the years, Hayley has bought, renovated, sold, leased, and developed an extensive portfolio of both residential and commercial properties. From hands-on renovations to large-scale developments, she has immersed herself in every aspect of the property lifecycle. Her experience is both personal and professional.
While building her property portfolio, Hayley also honed her skills in marketing, communications, public relations, and project management, working across industries such as financial planning, mortgage broking, and commercial property development. This diverse background has given her a rare ability to see the big picture and bring together the right people, plans, and strategies to get results.
A real estate professional for many years, Hayley has successfully managed multi-million-dollar developments and guided numerous clients through high-stakes property transactions. She’s also been a trusted advisor to family and friends—helping them grow investment portfolios, unlock development potential, and secure their forever homes.
With a sharp eye for value, deep market insight, and a genuine love for helping people make smart property decisions, Hayley leads Qld Property Buyers Group with integrity, energy, and heart.