Led by Principal Enzo Bufano, Director and General Manager Joanne Lang, Partner and Sales Manager Zole Elali, and Partner and Head of Property Management Jules Watts the Caroline Springs team has been a story of perseverance and hard work.
“When we first sought to join a major real estate network in 2015, Barry Plant was our first choice, but the established territories of existing offices made it impossible at the time,” Mr Bufano said.
“Now, joining Barry Plant and continuing to serve our area with their unparalleled resources, training, branding, and support—there’s no limit to what we can achieve.”
With a real estate career beginning in 1980, Mr Bufano started out working for his brother-in-law as a property manager at an independent agency in Clifton Hill.
After gaining experience at various real estate companies, he decided to branch out and establish his own business.
In 2003, Taylors Real Estate was established in St Albans, quickly growing to a team of 25 sales agents and achieving remarkable success.
he business began in St Albans due to restrictions imposed by local property developers that prevented real estate offices from opening in Caroline Springs.
Despite this, Taylors Real Estate primarily served the Caroline Springs area.
Once the developer restrictions were lifted, Enzo seized the opportunity to fulfil his vision by purchasing a building in Caroline Springs and opening his dream office.
The new office was located next to a fish and chip shop called The Fish Cove, which was owned and operated by the woman who would later become his partner in both life and business, Joanne Lang.
“I ate a lot of fish and chips back then,” Mr Bufano said.
“I was there almost every lunchtime.
“When Joanne sold the business, one of my coworkers offered her a position at Taylors Real Estate, and luckily for me, she accepted.
“Since then, we’ve been married and have now been business partners for the better part of 13 years.”
Joanne Lang joined the business as a Sales Agent but has worn many hats over her time there.
Always eager for new challenges, she transitioned from Sales Agent to Property Management before ultimately becoming the General Manager and OIEC of the Caroline Springs office.
Her extensive experience in real estate and small business has given her a wealth of knowledge and a holistic perspective on the industry.
“When I ran The Fish Cove, I never imagined the career I’d have today,” Ms Lang said.
“I tend to grow restless if I stay in one role for too long, so I’ve loved the opportunity to work in different areas of real estate within our business.
“And I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life and business than Enzo—we make an incredible team.”
Another key member of the leadership team is Zole Elali, a proud Caroline Springs local who has spent over a decade working alongside Enzo and Joanne at the Caroline Springs office. Working as Sales Manager at Barry Plant Caroline Springs, Zole’s journey is a testament to his relentless hard work and determination to succeed.
Mr Elali began his real estate career fresh out of high school, joining an independent agency as a Sales Agent at just 18 years old.
After 14 months, he put his dreams on hold to support his family’s business.
Following a five-year hiatus, he returned to the industry, joining Taylors Real Estate determined to make up for lost time.
When Taylors Real Estate joined a major real estate brand, the Caroline Springs office experienced an almost overnight doubling of business, driven by enhanced brand recognition and access to greater resources.
However, he wasn’t satisfied with the organic growth that came with joining a larger network. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity to challenge himself, benchmarking his performance against a new cohort of Sales Agents across the network and pushing himself to excel through relentless hard work.
With a drive to excel, Mr Elali narrowly missed being among the Top 10 per cent of Sales Agents in his first year with the network.
Undeterred, he used the experience as motivation, reaching the Top 10 per cent in his second year and consistently reaching the Top 3 per cent of all Sales Agents for the next five years straight.
Now, the Caroline Springs office is taking the next step in its evolution by joining Barry Plant. The team is energised and excited for what lies ahead.
“I believe we can double our sales again with the increased support, brand recognition, and brand trust of Barry Plant,” Mr Elali said.
“We’re thrilled about what we can achieve with Barry Plant’s exceptional resources, people, and reputation.”
“Our vision is to make Barry Plant Caroline Springs a Top 10 office within the network in the next couple of years.
“Personally, I aim to go even further—I want to be a Top 5 Sales Agent within the Barry Plant group.”
Rounding out the leadership quartet is Partner and Senior Property Manager Jules Watts.
He has been a cornerstone of the Caroline Springs office since joining in 2006, shortly after immigrating to Australia from England.
His move halfway across the globe marked a pivotal chapter in his life, not only geographically but also professionally.
Before venturing into real estate, he worked in publishing.
However, after relocating to Australia, he faced the challenge of navigating the unfamiliar property market while trying to purchase a home.
Determined to make an informed decision, he enrolled in several real estate training courses.
What began as a practical step soon became a revelation—he discovered a passion for real estate and decided to pursue a career as a property manager.
A pivotal moment came during an REIV Console Training course when he found himself seated next to Mr Bufano.
The two struck up a conversation, during which he shared his enthusiasm for property management and his recent accreditation.
As fate would have it, Mr Bufano had just acquired a rent roll and was building his team.
Their meeting provided the perfect opportunity for him to launch his career at Taylors Real Estate, where he has thrived ever since.
Reflecting on his nearly two decades in the industry, he shared his insights into the evolving nature of property management:
“Property management has changed dramatically in the almost twenty years I’ve been in the industry, driven by ever-changing and increasingly complex legislation,” he said.
“It’s like comparing servicing an old bus to servicing a high-end watch—both require technical skill, but the intricacy of the latter is on another level. I love that complexity.”
Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell expressed her excitement about welcoming Caroline Springs to the network.
“The Caroline Springs office has a long history of success in their community,” Ms Pennell said.
“Barry Plant is a family-focused brand that values its people and its approach to business above all else.
“The culture Enzo, Joanne, Zole and Jules have built is one of family, making them a perfect fit for our network.
“With a strategic plan already in place, we have no doubt they will achieve remarkable success with our support.”
The Caroline Springs team’s journey is a testament to resilience, ambition, and a strong sense of community.
By joining Barry Plant, they’re entering an exciting new chapter, supported by a network that shares their values and commitment to excellence.
With their proven track record, unwavering drive, and the backing of Victoria’s largest real estate group, the future for Barry Plant Caroline Springs looks brighter than ever.
