Tennille Mugridge started out in real estate as a ‘Girl Friday’. Nineteen years later she runs her own agency on the Central Coast, Home Specialist Property Management. As well as managing a small portfolio, Tennille is a mum and says she loves to keep busy – which is just as well.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Home Specialist Property Management.
My role at HSPM is Licensee and Managing Director, but I also have a small portfolio of properties that I still manage. It keeps me hands-on, but the plan is to slowly move away from being involved so much in the portfolio management and move more into leading my staff and taking our business to the next level.
We are really excited to be implementing some new marketing strategies for our clients and my focus over the next 12 months will be on marketing and growth. I have been in the industry for nearly 19 years and in business myself for 11 years. I’m a working mum, juggling work commitments, school drop-off and the attempt to balance family and work life, but I love it and wouldn’t change a thing. I love to be busy and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
What motivated you to get into real estate/property management?
I started my career as a ‘Girl Friday’ in an office on the Central Coast and had the luxury of working in all departments. It became pretty clear that my interest lay in property management. I loved helping people and fixing the problems they came to us with. I’m still as passionate as ever about the industry and have seen it evolve and change a lot over the past 19 years.
What is the market like in your area right now?
Our market is fairly steady. It has slowed down a little and the ‘good times’ are gone for now, but investment on the Coast is still strong. We don’t see 17 parties attending an open home
any more, but properties are still leasing.
Richard Branson has always been an inspiration… My team laugh at me for wanting us to look like a bunch of air hostesses!
Who or what inspires you?
I get inspiration from so many people, books and words. Richard Branson has always been an inspiration. I love what he has done with the Virgin brand and always aspire to have my team look as polished as his team does in some of their marketing. My team laugh a lot at me for wanting us to look like a bunch of air hostesses!
But in all seriousness, I also get such inspiration from those around me and our local business owners.
In your ‘briefcase’ right now is…
I don’t have a briefcase, but I have a box that I take home. It’s a wicker box from Kmart that has my laptop and charger, a notebook for notes and ideas, plus those items that you carry everywhere with you in case you find time to do them – the ones that aren’t urgent, but you hope and pray you will find time to just get them done. Now if you look in my handbag that’s a different story… it’s full of lipsticks, pens and business cards.
Something (or someone) you couldn’t live without?
Hands down, my seven year old daughter. She is my everything. Becoming a mum was not an easy path for me, so every day I am grateful for her.
What do you enjoy most about Elite Agent?
I love the lightness of the magazine – it’s such an easy read. I love that it’s always interesting and relevant. I’m always left feeling motivated and inspired.
What apps do you use most at the moment on your iPhone or iPad?
Gmail, Maintenance Manager, PropertyMe, IRE Mobile and probably my Bank West app! I couldn’t get through a day without using each of these.
What advice would you give someone starting out in property management?
Don’t just get your Certificate of Registration but take the time, do the study and complete your license. You will be so much more knowledgeable about legislation in the end. Find a good mentor who can help, inspire, motivate and guide you along the way. Remember you have two ears and one mouth. Property management is not about managing properties; it’s about managing people.
Any words to live by?
If it is to be – it’s up to me!
