PHOTO: Nancy Yang
Nancy Yang, a rising star in Australia’s real estate scene, has been making headlines for her exceptional skills and relentless determination. From kickboxing to clay modelling, Yang loves to try out new hobbies, but there’s one interest that has stood the test of time: chess.
“In chess, you have to think about the moves ahead, and you can’t think about anything else,” Ms Yang told “Your mind has to be clear in the moment, and that’s what I love about it.”
This ability to seize the moment while thinking several steps ahead has been instrumental in her rise through the real estate industry. It’s no wonder that Ms Yang from Buxton Port Phillip was named Australia’s Rising Star of the Year at the 2024 REA Excellence Awards.
The win is a testament to Ms Yang’s perseverance in the competitive world of real estate, as well as her determination to perfect her craft and grow her skills.
How It All Began
Ms Yang’s journey began not in a bustling real estate office, but at her family’s kitchen table. Property was a part of growing up, given that her grandfather was an architect and her immediate family were in construction. “Dad used to drag me to open homes on weekends,” she said. “He wasn’t there to buy, just to look. I think it was his way of dreaming big, coming from China and starting with very little.”
Ms Yang’s career began in property management in Melbourne, but she had her sights set on sales. She sought out a company that would support her ambitions and found a perfect fit at Buxton.
A Knack for Selling
Ms Yang’s talent for sales didn’t just emerge in real estate. During the pandemic lockdowns in Melbourne, she discovered her knack for selling in an unexpected way: by making and selling pork buns online. “I made so many buns that I couldn’t give them all away,” she said. “So I started selling them. It was hard work to marinate the ingredients overnight and the 5am rises to make the dough, but it taught me the value of persistence and hustle.”
That hustle translated seamlessly into her real estate career. Ms Yang’s ability to connect with clients and her deep understanding of the local market quickly set her apart. One of her most memorable deals involved selling a sub-penthouse in her own building in Docklands. “The owner was a seasoned developer, and he gave me a shot,” she said. “I took a family through the property, and they ended up placing an offer. We negotiated back and forth and eventually sold it at a record price for the building.”
Nancy Yang was recently promoted to director at Buxton Port Phillip. Picture: Supplied
Breaking Barriers
For Ms Yang, the award feels like a culmination of her hard work and dedication. But it’s not the first time that she has been recognised, having won Buxton’s Rising Star award earlier last year. “Winning the Buxton Rising Star was a big goal for me,” she said. “But when I found out I’d been nominated for REA’s national rising award as well, I didn’t believe it. It still feels unreal.”
Ms Yang is passionate about mentoring the next generation of real estate professionals. “I’ve already had people reach out to me on Instagram, asking to have a coffee and chat,” she said. “I want to support the next rising stars, whether they’re in our company or elsewhere. If I can help lift their spirits on a down day, that’s what I want to do.”
Ms Yang was crowned rising star of the year at the 2024 REA Excellence Awards.
Just the Start
As Ms Yang continues to break barriers and inspire others, her story serves as a reminder that success in real estate—and in life—isn’t just about closing deals. It’s about building relationships, staying true to yourself, and never losing sight of your goals. And it seems like it’s just the beginning.
She started 2025 off with a bang after being promoted to director at Buxton Port Phillip—ticking off one of her big goals. The promotion makes Ms Yang one of the first female directors at Buxton Port Phillip, but she is still working hard towards becoming an auctioneer.
“I’m not done yet,” she said. “There’s still so much I want to achieve. This is just the start.”
SOURCE: REALESTATE COM.AU