Agent Spotlight: Justin Merendino, Sales Associate, Ray White Whiteman & Associates 

If you’ve spent any time scrolling property listings or social media lately, chances are you’ve heard the line: “Remember the name… Justin Merendino is not far away.”

It’s confident, cheerful, and hard to forget, much like the agent behind it.

Since entering the industry in 2024, Justin Merendino has quickly built a profile driven by energy, visibility and a clear focus on people. Whether he’s at a home open, filming one of his now-signature videos, or out in the community, his approach is simple: be present, be genuine, and be remembered.

Because for Justin, real estate isn’t just about transactions. As he puts it, “brick and tiles makes me smile”, but it’s the people behind those homes that matter most.

You’ve built a strong presence in a short time. What led you to real estate?

I started in April 2024. Before that, I was in a customer-facing banking role, but when the bank moved towards a more digital model, I realised it wasn’t for me. I’m a people person, I love being face-to-face and helping people.

I was considering a government role when my uncle, who’s been in commercial real estate for about 30 years, said, “I know you. You love people. Why don’t you get into real estate?”

At first, I pushed back because I didn’t want to work weekends. But I had this gut feeling it was the right fit. I met with David Whiteman five times, was offered the opportunity and I haven’t looked back. I just wish I did it earlier.

You often talk about being a people person. How does that shape the way you approach real estate?

Customer service is everything to me. You’ve got to help people, you can’t brush them off or say they’re too hard.

Home opens are the best part of the week for me. I love being out there with the public, opening the door, welcoming people in and having conversations. It’s where I’m in my element.

It’s the same with sellers. When you sit in someone’s home, there’s always a reason they’re selling. You’re not just there to do a transaction, you’re there to help them through it.

Your marketing style, especially your videos, has really taken off. How did that come about?

It started with a friend’s property in Ashfield. I said, “Let’s film something out the front.” Nothing fancy, just me talking about the home and welcoming people in.

That video ended up getting over 300,000 views in a week. I didn’t expect that. For me, the focus has always been prospecting and being out with people.

But from there, I just kept doing it. Now vendors ask for it. It’s part of how I present a property, but it still comes back to being genuine and simply myself.

Your tagline is not hard to miss. Where did “Remember the name… Justin Merendino is not far away” come from?

It came to me one night when I was lying in bed. I knew I wanted something that felt like me, something people would remember.

I started thinking of different ideas, but nothing really stuck. Then that line just came to me. I’ve always got a pen and notebook next to my bed, so I wrote it down straight away.

What I like about it is that it reflects who I am. I’m always out and about, always available, always trying to help. So “never far away” just made sense. And “remember the name” is simple. If someone needs help with real estate, I just want them to think of me.

Community is a big part of your approach. Why is that so important to you?

It’s fundamental. If you’re working in an area, you should be part of that community.

I sponsor a local soccer club, but I don’t just put my name on a sign. I show up. I go to games, even after a full day of home opens, and spend time there.

I don’t do it expecting anything back. I do it because I want to give back. But naturally, when people see you there and see you care, relationships build over time.

You place a big emphasis on relationships. How does that play out in your day-to-day work?

For me, it’s about staying in touch.

If someone says they’re not ready, that’s fine. I don’t see that as a no, I see it as the start of a relationship. I’ll check in regularly, just a quick call or message.

I’ve had people I’ve stayed in contact with for over a year, and when they’re ready, they come back. That’s why I say you get business from business. If you’re genuine and consistent, people remember that.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their real estate career?

Start from the bottom and stay grounded.

You don’t need to look like you’ve made it on day one. Be presentable, be respectful, treat people properly.

Don’t take rejection personally either. If someone’s not ready, that’s your chance to build a relationship. Stay in touch and be patient.

Most importantly, don’t focus on the commission. Focus on doing the job right. If you do that, everything else follows.

You’ve spoken about the “care factor” before. What does that mean to you?

The care factor has to be 100 per cent every time.

For most people, a home is the biggest asset they’ll ever own. You have to treat it with respect. You can’t just go in, do the deal and move on. You need to be there throughout the process and show that you genuinely care.

Even if you’re tired or having a tough day, you can’t let that show. Your client still needs you to be at your best.

Your culture also plays a role in your work. How does that influence your approach?

It’s a big part of who I am. The areas I work in are very multicultural, with a strong Italian community, so being able to connect through language and culture helps.

It’s also a point of difference. Not many agents highlight that side of themselves, but for me it’s something I’m incredibly proud of and something that helps me build stronger connections with people.