On getting into real estate
I bought a house with a granny flat and I thought I had better do a property management course and work out what I needed to do to rent it out.
The happiest moment in my career
The happiest moment is when I can sell a property off-market. Match a property with a buyer and a buyer with a seller. The proudest moment was in 2018 when we sponsored Swan Districts Women’s Football Club and they ran out onto the pitch with our brand.
The most memorable moment
The most memorable property I have sold was recently. It was an off-market sale with two buyers through in the first week we were appointed.
An offer was presented and closed $300k above the highest suburban price in my neighbourhood $1,430,000 – and the property was not located directly on the river.
The sellers were so disappointed I had sold the home they loved so much. When I gave them the great news that finance was waived and we were proceeding to settlement, they were really bummed. Seller’s regret was not what I had in mind.
Best advice she’s received
The best advice I ever received was from Dean O’Brien from O’Brien Real Estate in Melbourne: “Are you in the business of real estate or are you a real estate agent?” Ask yourself and others. It was a turning point in my career.
Biggest challenge
Ongoing learning and skill enhancement to meet technology progression. If we don’t have an open mindset to keep learning and improve our skills and strategies, we will slow down the level of professionalism in the industry.
WA has new legislation with sales employment, and we will see many agents who are part-time or semi-retired phasing out of the industry if they are not consistent with their results.
Businesses will need not be able to be as flexible with reps under this legislation. If the rep receives a retainer, the numbers need to flow.
Businesses will focus on commission-only reps which will make it very difficult for newbies to come through the industry. In our business we want to a good balance of new reps and experienced reps to deliver a high-end service.
We have encouraged an open learning environment in our business and the property managers are some of the best in the industry.
Change for good?
I would like to see consistency across Australia in our structure. The forms and processes we follow and how the industry is regulated is different in each state.
To transfer states as a professional rep or PM could offer some amazing opportunities to our industry, it would raise the level of service and standards we want to deliver to our clients.
‘Elite’ agent means
An elite agent will be coachable, progressive, transparent and have a healthy mindset.
#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.
