A Wealth of Experience to Lead Our Business
We understand that people depend on our leadership and expertise every single day. From providing sound property advice, guiding customers through the process of buying or selling their main asset, and providing people with employment and career stability. Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate is fortunate to have experienced people leading the business at a corporate level and running each of our locations across the country and globe.
The Australian business is run by a team of professionals with expertise and skills in various disciplines including real estate, franchising, marketing, information technology and finance. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate operates in the U.S., Canada, Bahamas and Australia.
Charles Tarbey
Chairman of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Australia
Charles began his career in the industry in 1972 as an Assistant Property Manager. At the age of eighteen, Charles sold his first home and three years later purchased a Real Estate business with the equity gained through a home he had previously purchased. He grew this to five offices of his own by the time he was 25.
In March 1983, he embarked upon his biggest challenge and commenced Combined Real Estate, which became a well-known Sydney and New South Wales Real Estate Franchise Network that Charles built to 56 offices.
On September 29, 1995 Charles purchased the Australasian arm of CENTURY 21 and merged the two companies.
Prior to this, in 1986 Charles founded an IT company which hosted PC-based software for his franchisees. In 2002 a web-based version of this platform was launched giving real time access to all CENTURY 21 offices. The platform is now used by members of the CENTURY 21 international family in various locations worldwide.
In 2011, Charles acquired the property assets of Wentworth Services (8000 Residential, Commercial and Industrial managements), one of Australia’s largest property management groups in what was the largest acquisition by any individual in Australian history. The purchase saw this property management business integrated into his main company CENTURY 21, making it one of the country’s largest and most diverse property groups.
In 2012 he also acquired CENTURY 21 New Zealand.
He was approached by the US Parent in 2018 to acquire the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate brand for Australia and New Zealand which commenced operations that year.
In October 2024 he negotiated to buy the rights for Century 21 India and The United Arab Emirates. This year, he was thrilled to have Peter Matthews join in equity with Peter now becoming the group CEO for Century 21 MEG (Middle East Group).
Charles Tarbey is also the author of three books: Profit-Driven Real Estate, Listing Rich and A Series of Mistakes Corrected.
To learn more about Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate contact your local branch.
Leadership Team
State Directors
Growth Directors
