Responding to the Cyclone Alfred crisis with experience, identifying culture is key

We are thrilled to introduce Avi Khan, a pioneering figure in the world of real estate and innovation. As the Group CEO of Ray White AKG, Avi’s passion for breaking the mould, combined with his strategic mindset, has led to multiple awards, success and recognition, and a culture to be proud of.

Our Marketing and Communications Manager, Malissa Rosen, had a Q&A session with Avi to check in post Cyclone Alfred and his experience with the disaster, his insights on the market and what drives him and his team. Here's what he had to say:

‍

Tell us a bit more about AKG.

‍

AKG is more than just a real estate group — we’re a collective of driven individuals committed to raising the standard in our industry. Under the Ray White banner, we operate in Brisbane’s Southern and Western Corridors, but our impact stretches much further. We’ve built a full-service operation that includes property management, media, marketing, and legal services because innovation doesn’t have to fit in a box. At our core, we exist to serve our communities better, support our clients’ biggest life decisions, and challenge what people expect from a real estate experience.

‍

How did you and your team cope in the lead-up, during, and post-Cyclone Alfred?

‍

It was all hands-on deck. When you lead a business that directly supports people’s homes and investments, there’s no room to sit back. In the lead-up, we focused on proactive communication, calling landlords, tenants, vendors, and buyers to ensure they were prepared. During the cyclone, our focus was safety first. Post-cyclone, we switched into recovery mode immediately - triaging damage, coordinating emergency repairs, and supporting our community through uncertainty. It wasn’t easy, but the resilience of our people and the loyalty of our clients reminded us why we do what we do. The goodwill between tradies, landlords and tenants was so heartening.

‍

Not your first rodeo when it comes to these events, are there still lessons to be learnt?

‍

Always. Every single event teaches us something new. Whether it’s refining our communications, fast-tracking insurance claims, or strengthening landlord and tenant education around disaster readiness, there’s always a gap to close. But the biggest lesson is this: culture matters. When a team genuinely cares about people, they’ll go above and beyond, storm or no storm.

‍

How do you see the market being affected in the short and long term?

‍

In the short term, we’re seeing delays, emotional hesitations, and practical disruptions and settlement timelines being extended. But long-term, southeast Queensland will remain a magnet. It’s a sure bet with population growth and affordable housing compared to the other states. Infrastructure investment, migration, lifestyle appeal, and undersupply will continue to underpin growth. If anything, events like these shine a spotlight on the need for quality homes, good property management, and solid agent-client relationships.

‍

You are a serial advocate of our product and appreciate the value of our offering. Now more than ever, do you think your customers will benefit in taking up VPA, VPA+and our Landlord Maintenance product (launching soon)?

‍

Absolutely. If ever there was a moment to invest in visibility, it’s now. In a post-cyclone market with more interest rate cuts forecasted, vendors need to stand out, and landlords need reassurance that their assets are protected. VPA and VPA+ give properties the exposure and the edge they need, and your Landlord Maintenance product is the type of proactive solution that turns a good landlord experience into a great one. These offerings help us deliver confidence and a premium service, and that’s everything in real estate.

‍

And in closing, apart from being the only man in the world who should ever wear white sneakers with a suit, what else sets you apart and what drives you to do what you do?

‍

Look, the sneakers are a vibe — well, at least I think so! But what really sets us apart is our refusal to settle. I didn’t get into this industry to be normal. I wanted to make a difference. I’m driven by impact. Whether it’s building careers, guiding families through life-changing decisions, or proving that a real estate business can be bold, human, and values-led. Every day is a chance to do better, grow stronger, and leave the industry better than we found it.

‍

A big thank you to Avi for sharing valuable insights with us. We look forward to witnessing your continued success and impact in the industry.