Born and bred: Home in the heart of Caulfield

Benjamin doesn’t just work in Caulfield – it’s where he’s spent his life.

‘I’ve always lived around here,’ he reflects, as we sit down one autumn afternoon for a chat. ‘My parents lived here before me. Even when I moved briefly to Elwood, I knew I’d come back to start a family. There’s something special about this area. It feels like home.’

Growing up in a Jewish family deeply connected to the local community, Benjamin was part of a tightly woven educational and cultural fabric that still shapes his values today.

‘My dad left Germany before the war as part of the Kindertransport,’ he shares, referring to the rescue effort of Jewish children from Nazi-controlled territory in the late 1930s. ‘He was sent away as a little boy, not knowing if he’d ever see his family again.’

Eventually, Benjamin’s dad discovered his older brother had survived the war and was living in Melbourne. So he decided to join him and set up a life in Australia.

‘My dad always taught me to appreciate family and be grateful for what I have. I try to carry those values with me in everything I do.’

 

 

First steps in sales: From local threads to lasting skills

Benjamin’s road to real estate didn’t start where you’d think.

‘My first proper gig was in Melbourne’s fashion manufacturing industry,’ he recalls. ‘I was looking for a part-time job in sales to make some money while I was studying, and fashion turned out to be a great place to start.’

This was back when most production still happened locally.

‘I’d spend my days visiting clients, meeting people face to face and building rapport. I quickly realised how much I loved it – the energy, the connection. Those relationships were everything. I ended up staying in fashion for 10 years.’

It was here that he learned the fundamentals of sales: forging connections, building trust and recognising opportunity. But after a decade in the industry, the landscape was shifting – and so was his focus.

‘Things started to change; everything was going offshore. I realised it was a shrinking industry,’ says Benjamin. ‘I was newly married and expecting a baby. I knew it was time to make a change.’

 

 

The real deal: Making the move to real estate

Moving away from the fashion industry, Benjamin began exploring where his experience and skill set could take him next.

‘It didn’t take long for me to land on real estate. It’s the best kind of sales,’ he says with a grin. ‘At the end of the day, everyone needs homes – you can’t offshore housing! And you’re selling something that truly matters.’

He knew, of course, that it might take time to find his footing.

‘Getting started in real estate can be tough,’ he reflects. ‘There’s a lot to learn, and not every environment is the right fit.’

But then came a meeting that changed everything.

‘I met with Gary Peer and Phillip Kingston at a café in Elsternwick. It was a genuine connection. They weren’t trying to impress me – they just listened. And I remember thinking: this is how real estate should feel.’

From that moment, Benjamin knew he’d found his people – and the right place to build something long-term.

 

 

Built to last: A 20-year journey with Gary Peer

Since joining Gary Peer in 2005, Benjamin has seen the business evolve – but the values have remained the same.

‘It’s always about the people,’ he says. ‘We’ve got this team culture that’s hard to describe until you’ve been part of it. We’re not just colleagues. We’re family. And we’ve built something together; it’s a shared success.’

It’s that sense of unity that’s kept Benjamin energised and engaged over the years.

‘There’s always highs and lows in real estate – as in any business. But we’ve always been able to overcome hurdles and come out on top. Thirty-five people have been at Gary Peer for over a decade, and a dozen of us have been here more than 20 years. That kind of loyalty – it means something.’

And he’s proud to use that accumulated knowledge to help the next generation.

‘I’m working with agents who’ve only been in real estate for a few years, and I love being able to mentor them and act as a sounding board. We’re here to help each other.’

 

 

More than a sale: The moments that matter

When asked about his most rewarding experiences, Benjamin doesn’t hesitate.

‘I was selling for a client who was under financial stress, and the whole family was really anxious about the sale.

‘Their house ended up selling for an incredible price – blew all expectations out of the water. The relief on their faces… it was like they’d won TattsLotto! The hugs, the gratitude, the sense of joy, it was such a special moment.’

And the buyers? It was their first home together.

‘They were expecting their first child, and they’d just bought their family home. So they were bouncing off the walls. It was euphoric on both sides.

‘That’s the beauty of this job. We’re not just invited into people’s homes but into their lives. We get to be a part of some of their biggest moments.’

 

 

Words to work by: Benjamin’s blueprint for success

Benjamin’s recent move to work alongside Darren Krongold, Joel Ser and Daniel Fisher in the prestige team has given him a fresh spark.

‘They work on a lot of top-end properties, which is fun, as you see some incredible homes. It’s pushing me to keep evolving. To keep working on my craft and improving as a real estate agent – and a person.’

For anyone starting out in real estate, Benjamin’s advice is gold.

‘The key to real estate is to ask questions and really listen,’ he says. ‘I always try to put my phone away. Because it’s important to be present and remove distractions.

‘And don’t treat your early clients like stepping stones. If you deliver value and stay in touch, you’ll become their trusted person. And they’ll call you when it matters most.’

And that’s exactly what Benjamin has done for so many families across Melbourne’s southeast.

He’s not just closing deals. He’s opening doors.

 

 

Keen to meet the rest of the team? Read their stories on The Peer Blog.