Experience You Can Trust. Insight You Can’t Buy.
At Bayside Real Estate Advocates, experience isn’t measured by years alone — it’s measured by the thousands of negotiations, campaigns and property decisions we’ve successfully navigated on behalf of our clients.
With more than 40 years of combined real estate experience and over 2,000 properties bought and sold, we bring a level of insight few advocates can match. We’ve worked across residential sales, off-the-plan developments, commercial projects and land transactions. More importantly, we’ve represented sellers, negotiated against buyers and sat in the rooms where the real decisions are made.
Today, we use that experience exclusively for you.
We know how selling agents think because, for years, we were them. We understand how campaigns are structured, where the pressure points lie and how to identify opportunities others simply don’t see. It means we can assess true value, cut through the noise and negotiate strategically to secure the strongest possible outcome for our clients.
Because when you’re making one of life’s biggest financial decisions, experience matters.
And not just any experience — the kind that’s been earned on both sides of the negotiating table.
The negotiator who knows how the game is played. The advisor who puts people first. Together, we combine decades of experience with a boutique, personalised approach to help you buy, sell or downsize with confidence.
The Negotiator who understands the market. The Advisor who puts people first.
For more than 30 years, Nicole Payne has helped people navigate some of life’s biggest and most emotional decisions with confidence, care and unwavering integrity.
Beginning her real estate career at just 23 years of age, Nicole quickly discovered a natural talent for connecting with people and guiding them through the buying and selling process. Combining exceptional market knowledge with a warm, genuine approach, she built a reputation founded on honest advice, hard work and always putting her clients’ interests first.
Real estate has never been just about property for Nicole — it’s about people.
Whether assisting first home buyers, growing families, downsizers, investors or developers, Nicole understands that every client has a unique story, a different set of goals and a significant decision to make. Her role is to simplify the process, remove the stress and ensure her clients feel supported, informed and confident every step of the way.
A proud Bayside local, Nicole has deep ties to the community she now calls home. Together with her husband, Clint, she built and successfully operated a thriving real estate business, forging relationships that have spanned decades and continue to grow through referrals and repeat clients. Today, much of Nicole’s business comes from word of mouth — a reflection of the trust she has earned throughout her career.
Beyond working with clients, Nicole has a genuine passion for mentoring and developing others within the industry. Having owned and operated her own office, led training initiatives and supported franchise growth, she has spent years sharing her knowledge and helping shape the next generation of real estate professionals.
Above all else, Nicole is a proud mum, a passionate advocate and someone who genuinely cares about the people she represents.
Bayside Real Estate Advocates allows Nicole to continue doing what she loves most — helping people make smart property decisions while providing the personalised, boutique service they deserve. It means her clients can get back to living their lives, knowing they have experienced professionals protecting their interests and guiding them every step of the way.
“I’ve negotiated against buyers for years. Now I negotiate for them.”
For Clint Payne, real estate isn’t just a profession—it’s been a lifetime spent understanding people, negotiating outcomes and navigating high-stakes decisions.
With more than 30 years of experience in sales, leadership and real estate, Clint brings a perspective few buyer’s advocates can offer. From residential sales to auctioneering, business ownership and sales leadership, he has experienced the industry from every angle. Alongside his wife, Nicole, Clint built and successfully sold a thriving real estate business, before going on to manage, mentor and train high-performing sales teams across multiple agencies.
Most importantly, Clint knows how selling agents think—because, for years, he was one of them.
He’s sat across the negotiating table from buyers. He’s been involved in the strategy discussions behind closed doors. He understands how campaigns are run, how urgency is created, where the pressure points lie and the tactics used to achieve the best outcome for sellers.
Today, he uses that insider knowledge exclusively for buyers.
As a Buyer’s Agent, Clint’s role is simple: to level the playing field. He combines decades of negotiation experience with genuine care and straight-talking advice to help clients make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes and secure the right property on the strongest possible terms.
Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, investing or purchasing your first family home, Clint becomes more than just an advocate—he becomes a trusted partner throughout one of life’s biggest financial and emotional decisions.
Because buying property shouldn’t be about luck, emotion or learning through expensive mistakes. It should be about having an experienced professional in your corner who has seen it all before and knows exactly how to protect your interests.
As a valued member of the team at Bayside Real Estate Advocates, Simon works closely with the Managing Director and supports the business across all aspects of both Buyer and Vendor Advocacy. He specialises in comprehensive property research, strategic negotiation, and guiding clients seamlessly from initial brief through to settlement.
Simon’s experience operating his own businesses and managing complex projects has cultivated exceptional communication skills, sound judgement, and meticulous due diligence capabilities. Known for his integrity, strong work ethic, and calm professionalism, he is committed to delivering outstanding results while ensuring the buying or selling process remains clear, structured, and as stress-free as possible for every client.
Executive Assistant to Nicole Payne, Darlene Petersen brings a wealth of life experience and a passion for people to her role at Bayside Real Estate Advocates. Embodying the essence of human connection, a skill Darlene has honed throughout her long-standing career in customer service, she effortlessly creates a lasting impression on every client she meets.
Darlene’s ability to work within time parameters extends Nicole’s client focus and ensures the client experience is nothing short of exceptional. Every task and deadline is meticulously managed, allowing Nicole to dedicate her undivided attention to her clients’ needs and aspirations.
With Darlene’s seamless coordination and efficient time management, clients can rest assured that their journey with Bayside Real Estate Advocates will be smooth, stress-free and tailored to exceed their expectations.
We value relationships and our team prioritise your property needs. Bayside REA takes a personalised approach to managing your property buying, selling or downsizing project delivered by any experienced team
Buying well starts with understanding what matters most to you. We take the time to understand your goals, then combine insider industry knowledge with strategic market analysis to uncover the right opportunitie s— both on and off the market.
We leverage our extensive network, inspect and shortlist properties, conduct rigorous due diligence and develop tailored auction and negotiation strategies designed to protect your interests and maximise your outcome.
Because we’ve sat on both sides of the negotiating table, we know exactly how to give our buyers the advantage.
Selling your home is too important to leave solely in the hands of the selling agent. As your Vendor Advocate, we work exclusively for you—providing independent advice, strategic guidance and expert oversight from start to finish.
From preparing your property for market and selecting the right agent, through to pricing strategy, campaign management and marketing recommendations, we ensure every decision is made with your best interests in mind. We monitor performance, provide regular updates, interpret buyer feedback and liaise with the agent daily to maintain momentum and accountability throughout the campaign.
When it matters most, we negotiate firmly on your behalf to maximise competition and secure the strongest possible sale outcome.
Because the agent works to sell your home. We work to protect your interests.
Downsizing is more than a move — it’s the beginning of a new chapter. Whether you’re simplifying your lifestyle, transitioning to retirement living or moving into aged care, we provide the guidance and support needed to make the process seamless.
We coordinate both the buying and selling journey, carefully managing timing, strategy and every important detail along the way. From our first conversation to the moment you’re settled into your new home, we’re by your side to ensure the transition is handled with care, confidence and compassion.
For families navigating aged care decisions, we remove the burden of managing the property process so you can focus on what matters most — your loved ones.
Because every transition deserves experience, empathy and someone you can trust.
The mission is to empower women to attain economic independence by offering a supportive network, professional attire, and essential development tools that help women thrive in both their careers and personal lives.
Our vision is a world where women are free from poverty, treated with dignity and respect, and play a pivotal role in strengthening families and shaping communities.
Dress for Success Victoria relies on the support of a dedicated team of volunteers to deliver our programs to the community. We have been operating in the southeast Melbourne area since 2008, supporting more than 5000 women on their path to achieving financial independence.