'I had to learn eastern-suburbs English': Ric Serrao on celebrities and Sydney's property market

Ric Serrao likes riding stuff … horses, surfboards, a trusty Vespa and a Ducati.

After spending many years as a manager at KFC, he made the decision to stop selling buckets of fried chicken, and start selling houses, which he’s done for almost 30 years.

Now a director at Raine & Horne, he is married to his third wife and has two children with a third on the way.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Portugal and moved to Australia in the early ’70s, living around Earlwood before eventually settling in Bondi. I always say I was a wog from the west who came to the east.

You married young.

Yes, I was 19 and madly in love. I’ll never forget my father begging me not to do it. It’s the first time my father had ever begged me for anything, but I didn’t listen.

Serrao once showed an apartment to Delta Goodrem. Photo: Jonathan Carroll

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Any famous sales?

I once sold a house to Simon Baker. And I took John Travolta to look at a house in Vaucluse many years ago.

Last year I took Delta Goodrem to look at an apartment in The Embassy building in Double Bay on New South Head Road.

I’ve always been a big fan of The Voice, and on the TV she seems pretentious, but in real life she is very sweet.

What was your first job?

A paper run, and then I went to work at Kentucky Fried chicken. I was earning $84 a week. So, I dropped out of school in year nine, and paid a friend $16 a week to do my year 10 exams for me. I eventually became a KFC manager.

I learned a lot about people – such as not to judge someone by their appearance – and that has helped me in real estate.

Serrao says you need a certain vocabulary to sell prestige properties in the eastern suburbs. Photo: Supplied

What year did you get into real estate?

The late 1980s. I’ll never forget going to my first listing appraisal in Vaucluse. 

I didn’t get the listing, because the vendor said if you can’t even pronounce the brand names of the European appliances in the kitchen, then you’re obviously not in that market.

Can you say Gaggenau now?

I can say Gaggenau, and many others. I had to learn eastern-suburbs English.

“I like sitting down with people and telling it the way it is,” says Serrao. Photo: Jessica Hromas

What do you like about the job?

I enjoy working with clients and building up a relationship. I like sitting down with people and telling it the way it is, and not having to be a salesperson.

If you can make a difference in someone’s life that’s a bonus.

You are a pretty familiar sight on your motor scooter.

My Vespa just makes sense. I found that by lane filtering, and not having issues with parking, I save about two to two-and-a-half hours a day of productive time.

On the weekend, if I have a bit of time, I’ll bring the big girl out; a Ducati 1200. That’s a lot of power between my legs.

If you spot Serrao making his way through the city, odds are he’ll be on a vespa. Photo: Belinda Jackson

What’s with the horses?

I went for a horse ride at Terrey Hills one weekend and was hooked. Within six weeks I’m moving house and buying a seven-acre rural property.

The equestrian became a big part of my life. When I separated from my first wife, I took off overseas to train for the Olympics to participate in the three-day event. And yet, I was only learning to walk, trot, canter.

That dream died. Now I just ride socially.

So you ride surfboards instead?

Yes, I took up surfing about 12 years ago. I love the camaraderie, and testing myself to get to another level.