What was your first job, and what did it teach you?
McDonald’s Bondi Junction where I learnt that customers always come first as without customers we don’t have a business.
While we need to set boundaries with our clients, they need to be treated as if they are our only client, whether that be a landlord, tenant or contractor.
What is it like in your market right now?
The Gold Coast market is quite strong presently; anything up to $650 per week is moving incredibly quickly.
The higher end, like most areas, continues to be slow.
However, there are still high-quality prospective tenants inspecting our properties, which are on the market in excess of $1,500 per week.
What motivated you to get into real estate?
When I was in primary school, my mum worked for one of her best friends who owned an agency in Newtown.
I used to enjoy going into the office after school and seeing the hustle and bustle.
Do you have a mentor or someone you look up to?
I try to align myself with the best people in the industry.
I have been lucky enough to work with Shannan Whitney, from BresicWhitney, who has been instrumental in my career.
Today I work with one of the greatest minds in property management, Maria Carlino. We speak on a daily basis.
Brands don’t lease houses; people do.
Where are you hoping you’ll be this time next year?
Leading our Queensland property management team as General Manager.
What goals have you set for yourself this year?
To be nominated as REIQ Property Manager of the Year.
I am the type of person who doesn’t scream for recognition, however I think it would truly be an honour if the REIQ were to recognise the efforts I put into the industry.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Real estate isn’t a nine to five job. To succeed you need to put the hours in.
What is the most important part of your day?
Mornings at the gym. It gets me pumped and started for the day.
If you had to start from scratch in real estate tomorrow, what would be the first thing you did?
In hindsight, I would have started saving earlier on in my career.
I would have put in place, and followed, a financial plan rather than spending my bonuses.
What advice would you give someone starting out in property management?
Don’t take things personally.
At the end of the day we are the facilitator, not the reason for the problem, so we shouldn’t take it to heart.
This is something I used to do but have learnt not to.
What do you like the most about your job?
It’s challenging and every day is different.
I enjoy making our clients happy.
What’s the next new skill you’re hoping to learn?
I am looking to build a relationship with our Perth office now that we have merged as one company nationally.
What apps do you use most at the moment?
Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Tinder (ha-ha)
Words to live by?
Brands don’t lease houses; people do.
