In the Northern Rivers, holiday homes have become one of the most sought-after assets on the coast.

But according to Yamba-based operator Kristy McGrath, most of them aren’t performing anywhere near their potential.

Some people build businesses from the front.

Others build what makes them work.

Tess Pitcher does both.

When Kristy McGrath first stepped into the world of holiday homes, it wasn’t as an agent. It was as an owner.

In 2018, she and her husband had purchased Burleigh Yamba, right on Yamba Main Beach. At the time, they were living overseas, trusting someone else to manage it. On paper, everything looked fine.

In reality, it wasn’t.

The experience was inconsistent. The care wasn’t there. The performance didn’t reflect the quality of the home.

And once you see that gap, it’s hard to unsee it.

In the competitive Gold Coast market, results speak louder than words. Alicia O’Neill’s entry into the property sector isn't a career change; it’s the arrival of a seasoned operator who has spent two decades mastering the architecture of wealth.

In the world of business, the most impactful disruptions rarely come from within the industry. They come from the outside, carried by individuals who view a stale landscape through a completely different lens.

In Yamba, that individual is André Rizk.

If you’re searching for a real estate agent in Yamba you want more than a name on a sign. You want someone who understands the value of your home and knows how to present it with clarity, care and strategy. At Pilot Hill we put the property and owner first and that philosophy shapes every decision we make.

We reinvented the way holidays are managed in the Northern Rivers by elevating the experience for guests and strengthening returns for owners and now we’re elevating sales with that same standard of performance and attention.

Three hundred of Australia’s leading hosts gathered for the 2025 Airbnb Summit in Sydney this week and somehow our little regional team made it to the table. It was a full day of insights from Airbnb’s global leaders, trend spotting, idea trading and connecting with brilliant people who love great guest experiences as much as we do.

Buying a holiday home in the Clarence Valley is as rewarding as it sounds, especially when you understand how the local short-term rental rules work. The good news? With the right setup and strategy, even properties in capped areas can deliver excellent returns.

Buying a holiday home on the NSW North Coast sounds idyllic and it can be, when you know what you’re buying into. Between the postcard-perfect views and the promise of passive income, there’s fine print every investor needs to read.

When Sea Breeze Cottage at 22 Yamba Rd first entered the market, it had everything going for it. Charm, location, development potential and a strong holiday rental history. But after its initial campaign, buyer interest was quiet and the home was eventually withdrawn from sale.

When the owners decided to try again, they wanted a campaign that felt different. One with intention, energy and a clear sense of direction. That’s when they partnered with Pilot Hill.

The Yamba Parklands estate had been quiet. For three months, not a single block changed hands and dozens of parcels waited patiently for the right buyers to come along.

Enter Kristy McGrath. She didn’t just put up a sign and hope for the best. She knew this would take strategy, vision and some serious marketing smarts.

We’re thrilled to share that Oceanstays is heading north. Our footprint now stretches beyond Yamba and Angourie into the beautiful beachside town of Lennox Head, East Ballina and the hinterland haven of Bangalow.

In a sea of sameness, Oceanstays stands out.

We don’t just manage holiday homes—we craft holidays that feel like they were made for you. And that starts with how we market them.

Looking for the best holiday property managers in Yamba or Angourie? We think you’ve found us. Oceanstays is a locally owned, fully licensed real estate agency that specialises in premium short-stay accommodation. We’re known for delivering exceptional guest experiences and outstanding results for property owners.

We’ve hosted thousands of guests, turned around tired listings, and helped over 100 Owners make more money with less chaos.

Now we’ve bottled up what works.

✔️ Better bookings
✔️ Happier guests
✔️ Saner hosts