On getting into real estate
Funny story, but I had finished Year 12 and I was clueless on what I wanted to do and so I took advantage of living it up with my friends. My dad soon got sick of this and gave me the ultimatum that if I didn’t have a job within a week, I would become his apprentice electrician, which I did not want to be, as at that age I clashed with my dad.
I saw a job for reception/property management. I applied and got the job within the week. Fourteen years later I’m still here, loving every experience real estate gives me. It has made me grow and shape into a strong, independent woman, and my dad and I are now the best of friends.
The happiest moment in my career
Winning RE/MAX Australia Property Manager of the Year 2018. Building a property management department from scratch.
The most memorable moment
I have a few properties in a new estate which I have had since they were built. Unfortunately, the owners bought off-the-plan just prior to the downturn and were getting $200 less in rent than what they’d expected. These clients and I have ridden the lows and now the highs together. As the market has now picked up, we have been able to increase their rents up to $100 more per week.
Their joy when I told them this is so awesome because many of them bought out of their superannuation. To see it get back there for them and put them in a better spot financially is amazing.
Best advice she’s received
I was once taught to change my mindset of looking at all the drama and problems we see every day in property management and to see myself instead as the problem solver.
To do what needs to be done and just get it done instead of dwelling and getting upset or angry over it, which a lot of property managers do. Once I did this, my energy was higher, the running of the rent roll was much smoother, and days were happier.
The other advice I have been given was to build relationships with clients. Doing this has been a game changer in giving us more business and having a smooth, trusting and successful relationship when managing clients’ properties.
Biggest challenge
That the Residential Tenancy Act will continue to change and continue to protect the tenant’s side of the Act more than the landlord.
Change for good?
That property management is held in as high regard as the sales side of the real estate industry. There are more people renting then there were 20 years ago and property management has such a big influence on living today.
‘Elite’ agent means
Someone who goes above and beyond, thinks outside the square for their clients and constantly communicates with them, doing everything that they can to get the results their clients are wanting to achieve.
#WeAreRealEstate is a series of short interviews with 140 agents all over Australia exploring the industry’s hopes, concerns, future challenges, and what it really means to be an Elite Agent.
