Belinda Beekman always felt that when you live and work in a community as a real estate agent, you need to have its best interest at heart.
Ms Beekman, who operates in the Northern Gold Coast area of Jacobs Well, started in real estate after having children and wanting to spend more time with them.
However, the high performer quickly began to find her stride in just a few years and realised that she wanted to take her career to the next level, while also serving her local community to the best of her ability.
She eventually joined Area Specialist in 2020 and quickly doubled her annual sales and, in the process, became one of the Gold Coast’s top-performing agents.
“I really wanted to do my own thing,” Ms Beekman said.
“I was probably a bit worried about being in sales and having to do all the administration stuff, like new logos and company names.”
That’s when Area Specialist Founder, Michael Choi, reached out via Facebook, presenting an opportunity that aligned perfectly with Ms Beekman’s goals.
“I really liked the name,” she said.
“Being the Area Specialist, it’s one of those things that people want.
“They want you to know the area really well, know the prices, and it kind of worked for me working in a small village area.”
Ms Beekman specialises in Jacobs Well, located on the waterfront between South Stradbroke and North Stradbroke Islands, but also covers a 20km radius, including Pimpama and Ormeau.
Since joining Area Specialist, Ms Beekman has seen her business flourish.
She’s gone from selling around 30 properties a year to an impressive 82 properties annually.
“I think it was more about promoting myself and not a company,” she said.
“When you’re working for yourself, you can do what you want to do within the marketplace.
“I was working a lot harder because I could see the results I was getting.”
Ms Beekman puts much of her success down to her transparent and honest approach to real estate.
“I try to give people the truth,” she said.
She said she never overpromises to vendors and always works to try and get the best price for them.
“Obviously living in the area and having lots of relatives and family here, I try to get the best prices and keep the suburb going well,” she said.
Her commitment to the local community extends beyond real estate.
Ms Beekman is heavily involved in local events and initiatives, sponsoring everything from the New Year’s Eve fireworks to the local fishing club.
“Last year I sponsored a fair as a major sponsor, the New Year’s Eve fireworks, Christmas carols, and this year I’m a major sponsor for a country music festival,” she said.
Ms Beekman also runs a local community Facebook page that lets people know what’s happening in Jacobs Well, as well as news, jobs and items for sale.
She also contributes to the local paper, Sweet City News.
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed.
In 2023, Ms Beekman was ranked number three on the Gold Coast and number 10 in Queensland.
She was also named the number one agent in Jacobs Well.
The move to Area Specialist has not only boosted Ms Beekman’s sales figures but has also given her more control over her business and time.
“You can work as much as you want or as little as you want, and that will probably come with your results as well,” she said.
“But you get to keep a lot more of the money too.”
Ms Beekman now leads a team that includes an operations manager, a business partner, and two other licensed agents.
However, she said that everyone works for themselves and promotes themselves within the company structure.
For agents considering a move to Area Specialist, Ms Beekman said Area Specialist is great if you have an area that you know well.
“If you have a good reputation and are established in your area, I think it’s the best thing you can do,” she said.
Area Specialist is a real estate platform for top-performing agents, providing the systems, tools and technology they need to create, grow and power their business. For more information visit beyourboss.com.au
