CASE STUDIES

  • Consistent communication: Tara Bradbury

    Customer service across property management has come a long way in terms of available technology, but people still want service from humans. Here are a few of my recommendations to help boost or reboot your service approach in 2020. Social media. If you build the profile they will connect – and at the times when…

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  • Three steps to reinvigorate your PM department

    When property management coach Cathie Crampton was tapped on the shoulder to assist Place real estate increase their rental division’s profitability and efficiency, it wasn’t a mission she took lightly. A growth specialist with 15 years’ experience in property management and coaching, she knew there would be personal investment involved. Her challenge involved steadying a drifting ship, improving divisional morale…

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  • Dave Skow: Crossing Borders

    On getting into real estate I was the typical real estate fanboy from when I was a teenager, completing school-based work experience at two local agencies and then applying for an entry-level job (after a semester of confirming university was not at all for me). The happiest moment in my career Taking the plunge and opening my own business. The…

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  • Spiro Drossos: Going off-script

    With 17 years’ experience under his belt, Barry Plant’s Spiro Drossos reveals why it’s important to have real conversations and to think like a customer – not a real estate agent. On getting into real estate As a kid I was always intrigued by and interested in real estate. This, together with my strong customer service background, made real estate…

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  • Empowering for Growth: Sunil Kumar

    Reliance Real Estate CEO Sunil Kumar chose to focus on respect and empowerment when he opened his first office in 2011. That philosophy has seen his agency ranked the eighth fastest growing business in Australia.

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  • How to Succeed as a Real Estate Rookie: Jamie Smith

    Coming from a small village in the south of England to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland with little more than a surfboard bag and some board shorts, it hasn’t taken Century 21 agent, Jamie Smith, very long to establish himself as a real estate identity in the Sunshine Coast region. Taking out the Rookie of the Year award at the Real…

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  • Balancing Selling and Leading: Ben Faulks

    Becoming an agent and principal on the same day is a feat that not many in real estate can attest to. Leaving a career in banking, Ben Faulks changed to real estate in 2010 and set up the first Ray White office in the ACT. At first, when Ray White was new in the area, Ben says it was difficult…

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  • James Pratt – What makes a good auctioneer

    “We make sure the auction is not about the auctioneer. When the auctioneer wants to be the centre of attention, the client and owner pick up on that really quickly. “The agent has done 97% of the work before an auction commences. The best auctioneers are those who don’t make the auction about themselves but have a really clear understanding what…

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  • Eddy Piddington joins Stone Real Estate Manly

    So what is it that drives Eddy, and his boundless energy? Growing up in Leura, Eddy’s interest in property was piqued by his mother Robyn’s involvement in Blue Mountains’ tourist accommodation and property restoration. He credits this early involvement in real estate for his continued passion. “Since I was young, Mum and I renovated properties. I liked dealing with agents…

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  • Andre Frack: Leading from the Front

    R&W Principal Andre Frack set a goal in 2016 to be the best in Bondi Junction. He achieved that and more, being named the Top Selling Principal, income and transactions, across the entire Richardson & Wrench network. It was a remarkable result for somebody who had put sales on the back burner for a few years to concentrate on managing…

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  • From restaurant failure to real estate success story: Ivan Tandyo

    The last thing you’d associate with the co-founder of a thriving real estate agency would be the story of a failing restaurateur. However, for Ivan Tandyo this was just the start of his journey towards successfully starting and managing Xynergy Realty. Now managing nearly 2,000 properties, and holding its own as a competitive player in the real estate industry for…

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  • Belle Property Narellan say, ‘pick people not roles’

    One of Belle Property’s youngest businesses managed to secure 50 per cent market share in their core suburb, followed by another 15 per cent in a neighbouring area, after just 18 months in operation – simply by focusing on people. The team at Belle Property Narellan under the leadership of Troy Holmes have come a long way since they opened…

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  • From Pubs to Penthouses: Bill Malouf

    I grew up working in the family business in the hospitality industry. At 12 years old I would work during the school holidays picking up glasses, and then as I got older, I was given more responsibility. I really had to work my way up the ranks; I went from picking up glasses to working in the cellar, then behind…

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  • National agency Oliver Hume recruiting university graduates

    While education levels in the industry have been a concern for some time now, Hamish Barton is among an increasing number property agents who are university educated. After graduating from high school and working for several property businesses in Qld, Brisbane-based Barton says he knew from an early age real estate would be his calling. Barton’s education, along with his…

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  • Going All In With Phil Harris

    Phil Harris is one of Australia’s pinnacle sales agents and an inspiring business leader. Sarah Bell sat down with Phil in his hometown of Adelaide to capture his perspective on the state of the property profession as we head into 2017. Phil, consumers have the power to fire everyone in a business from the CEO down if they don’t get…

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  • Out of the Comfort Zone: Jack Richardson, hockingstuart Armadale

    From selling boats on the Victorian coast to becoming a well-respected agent and auctioneer in Melbourne, Jack Richardson brings a sharp eye to the sales market in his role at hockingstuart Armadale. Fresh from winning the REIV 2016 Novice Auctioneer of the Year Award, he shares his goals for 2017. Jack, how many years have you been working in real…

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  • Agent Profile: Amber Werchon, Director of Amber Werchon Property

    Amber Werchon decided not to pursue university but instead entered the workforce at the tender age of 17. Starting out as a receptionist at Ray White, she began selling property a year later and has never looked back. Today, as sole director of her own agency on the Sunshine Coast, Amber Werchon Property, she has over 40 people on her…

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  • Hard Work Pays: Thom Eriksson-Lake

    Thom Eriksson-Lake was drawn into real estate from a background in the Public Service and has recently become a qualified auctioneer/agent with Peter Blackshaw in Canberra. Coming from a single-parent family, he learned the value of hard work from his mother’s example and now appreciates the opportunity to build relationships with his clients. Thom, tell us a bit about your…

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  • The Art of Real Estate in NYC: Bohemia Realty Group

    In only five years, the artists turned real estate agents at Bohemia Realty Group of Upper Manhattan have established dominant market share in the world’s coolest neighbourhoods. The agency has grown from its two co-founders to over 140 agents, many of whom came to real estate from the tribe of artists that define Upper Manhattan as a global hub for…

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  • Local Hero on a Pink Tractor – Hugh Bateman

    October is traditionally breast cancer awareness month and for the past two years, there has been a spotlight on Mudgee, a regional town in NSW. Last year Hugh Bateman, Director of The Property Shop in Mudgee, went the extra mile embarking on a 2,900km trip around NSW on a pink tractor and raising more than $381,000 for the McGrath Foundation.…

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  • The Dream Team

    PASSION, DRIVE, PERSISTENCE: While balancing an ‘apprenticeship’ in property with tertiary studies, these three impressive young sales associates in the Goldman team are well on their way to success at the prestigious Sotheby’s International business in Sydney. While each are still yet to turn 20, they seem to have the maturity and drive of many people twice their age. Story…

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  • Technology Toolkit: Kaitlyn Hoppe

    Kaitlyn Hoppe has a drive to succeed and passion for property that are in her DNA. With both parents in real estate, she started showing an interest in the field at a young age and still has high ambitions. From the Ray White Bulimba office on the Gold Coast, Kaitlyn’s creative and innovative approach to selling property, along with top…

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  • Focus on real-time, transparent social engagement: Jason Ballo

    “Go live or go home” could be the online mantra for Jason Ballo from Raine & Horne Surry Hills. Having embraced the real-time and very transparent world of Facebook Live, Jason is focussed on providing an authentic way for customers to see what his team does and how they do it. 1. What is the key way your brand differentiates…

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  • Match your digital strategy to your audience: Lynette Malcolm

    Truly understanding your customers so you can deliver relevant and timely information is key to winning in the online space. Lynette Malcolm from Chadwick Real Estate, Upper North Shore shares what they are doing to differentiate their business through a refined digital communication strategy. 1. What is the key way your brand differentiates itself using digital platforms? We differentiate ourselves…

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  • Become the go-to agent with sophisticated content marketing: Gia Le

    Using technology to establish and nurture a niche customer base and build your online profile is essential. Providing entertaining and engaging content for your customers, beyond property is a digital marketing strategy which is working really well for Gia Le from Acton Real Estate Dalkeith. 1. What is the key way your brand differentiates itself using digital platforms? My brand…

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  • Living the Dream: Christine Henderson

    Two years ago Christine Henderson gave up a job in executive management to switch to real estate and is now a property consultant at Hodges Mentone. A lifelong resident of beautiful Bayside, Melbourne, she has high ambitions, takes the trouble to write handwritten notes to clients – and somehow finds time to be a single mum too. How did you…

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  • Real Estate’s Rising Stars Fly High on Tech

    Technology is undoubtedly the future of real estate. Domain Rising Star Award recipients for Victoria and New South Wales – Stasi Adgemis of hockingstuart Doncaster and Shane Sullivan of LJ Hooker Drummoyne – are relative youngsters in the real estate game, yet they’ve set themselves apart with their unique use of technology and a wise beyond years attitude towards ROI…

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  • Technology and Teamwork: Tracey Fellows, REA Group

    TRACEY FELLOWS took some time out at AREC 2016 to speak with Elite Agent’s Editor Samantha McLean. A digital innovator through and through, Fellows has enjoyed roles as Executive GM of Communication Management Services at Australia Post and as Microsoft Vice-President for the Asia-Pacific Region before joining REA Group as Executive Director and CEO. TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION S: You went…

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  • David Swarbrick: Buyer Specialist/Sales Associate

    David Swarbrick has been working for Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate in his home town of Rockhampton for just over five years. Beginning his career in sales administration at the age of 22, David moved to commercial admin and then into property management. In November 2014 he started selling full-time and in late January 2016 he begins a position with McGrath…

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  • Passion for real estate: Trent Faunt

    Trent Faunt has had a passion for real estate from a young age, ever since he watched his parents operate a successful furniture enterprise and learned the ins and outs of business. He was listed as top agent after his first year at Kingaroy Real Estate and then made the move to Brisbane, where he now works for Place Estate…

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  • The Altman Brothers ‘Down Under’

    JOSH ALTMAN, STAR OF Bravo’s hit TV series ‘Million Dollar Listing: Los Angeles’, will be touring Australia this June. During ‘Live in Australia’ Josh (and brother Matt) will reveal their trade secrets – including how to outsmart the competition – and will share tips on how to succeed in your professional and personal life. How did you started in real…

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  • When Two (Don’t) Become One

    AS FRESHLY-MINTED PRINCIPALS, Andrea Bonner and Sally Shaw’s business relationship is unique in more ways than one. They’re the vibrant duo behind Tasmania’s revolutionary estate agency, PropertyWise Launceston, and have established a new set-up that sees their sales and property management departments working closely yet independently. Story by Iolanthe Gabrie. WARM AND empathetic, veteran sales agent Andrea smiles, acknowledging that…

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  • Family Ties

    Shonleigh Ryan from McGrath Bulimba is in her first six months of a new career in real estate working with McGrath Bulimba. Focusing on East Brisbane, Coorparoo, Camp Hill and surrounding areas and describing herself “as a total rookie in the industry” she says she is enjoying the learning and exposure that comes from being surrounded by so many well-established…

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  • Entrepreneurial Spirit

    Simone Ryan is the Principal of Moneybags Property in Brisbane. An entrepreneur who loves a challenge, she decided to move into real estate via the financial services sector. Simone also recently stepped into a different role as guest reporter for Elite Agent Magazine at the recent REIQ Summit. Tell us about your local area and market. I live south-west of…

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  • Award winning Baffle Creek Agent: Sue Robertson

    Sue Robertson came across beautiful but remote Baffle Creek in the Gladstone region of Queensland by chance. She is extremely passionate about the Baffle Creek area and has taken out several awards at both state and national levels for highest number of rural sales. BAFFLE CREEK1 is on the Queensland coast, approximately one hour from both Gladstone and Bundaberg. The…

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