FEATURE INTERVIEWS
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Passion and pride
Five years ago Laura and Samuel Shooter started SJ Shooter Real Estate in the study of their Dubbo home. Now, Laura has taken out a grand prize of $5,000 and the winner’s trophy for Transform 2020. Here, Laura explains how she never planned on joining the real estate fold and why she’s spending her prize money on boosting Dubbo’s digital…
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Andrew Harding: Enjoy the journey
Years in the industry?I started in October 2017. I was extremely fortunate that in my first full year in 2018 I was working under the CEO. He came back selling after a short break and he taught me everything. I did a year on my own in 2019 and towards the end of that year, I started the team. I…
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Contestants Sarah and George discuss this unusual season of The Block
From one of the most challenging years in our history, to one of the most unusual ‘The Block’ series in its history. Each contestant group is renovating a completely different style and era of home…
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Common questions answered about Victoria’s new roadmap
The Victorian government’s roadmap out of pandemic lockdowns includes new provisions for single people living alone and single parents: the “single social bubble” system, which comes into effect on September 14. Under the new system, if you’re a single person living alone or a single parent with children under 18, you can nominate one other person to be part of your bubble. The…
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Strong hands steady the ship
Joel Davoren took up the role of Managing Director at RE/MAX Australia at the start of July. He says transitioning into the role has meant adapting quickly and a shift in thinking, but with change an ever-present factor in everyone’s lives at the moment, he has taken it in his stride. “The feeling of change right now is incredibly palpable; you can…
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Stefan Siciliano: Play the long game
Years in the industry?Four years, eight months. What’s a special place in your local area?Greenacres shopping centre. I see so many present and past clients here. I try to pop into Coles to support the local. I also see a lot of people on my database here, and I love being able to stop, say hello, and have a chat…
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Andrew Kyriacou: Deliver what you promise
Years in the industry?I have been in the industry for 15 years. What’s a special place in your local area?The special place in my area is the local café, this is the place where I proposed to my wife on the balcony and she was caught by surprise, of course. Did you choose real estate or did real estate choose…
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Luke Stevenson: Local knowledge
Years in the industry?The end of August will be two years in real estate in Tamworth for me. Before that I was working in flight operations for Jetstar in Melbourne. I loved the city life, but being born and raised in the country, I was always going to come home. What’s a special place in your local area?Well I…
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Alex Pearson: Work hard, stay humble
What was your first job?Fresh out of ‘school’ I worked as a bricklayer’s labourer in the summer and spent my winters playing cricket in the UK. Working on the shovel all day certainly wasn’t enjoyable…
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Shane Beaumont: Make passion your pay check
What’s a special place in your local area?My aunty’s old deli, that she owned for more than 30 years. It was my first job stacking shelves and started at the age of about five. It certainly taught me hard work! Did you choose real estate or did real estate choose you?I came back from the UK, after spending some years…
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Supporting Australia’s growing rental marketplace with Val Brown
While Australia has traditionally been considered a nation of home owners, the share of people renting property continues to increase each year. We talk to REA Group’s Chief Consumer Product Officer, Val Brown who is…
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Angela Limanis: Data drives success
Years in the industry?I started in 1998 as a receptionist who couldn’t turn on a computer. The role evolved into marketing coordinator and property manager very quickly. I spent a few years in commercial real estate but I was quickly drawn back to residential. In total I’ve been in sales for 12 years, but with a few years off in…
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Stacie Sheldrick: No such thing as Sunday-itis
Years in the industry?I started in 1998 as a receptionist who couldn’t turn on a computer. The role evolved into marketing coordinator and property manager very quickly. I spent a few years in commercial real…
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Kimberly Nugent: The bare minimum won’t cut it
Years in the industry?Three-and-a-half years. I had previously worked in the building industry, so it felt like a really good fit when I started working in property management. Prior to coming on board with Independent, I worked as a Project Manager for the Australasian Railway Association and prior to this I was editing television commercials at Southern Cross Austereo, so…
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Brian Devereux: Educational opportunities are everywhere
Years in the industry? 32, and I’m the Director of Gateway Residential Did you choose real estate or did real estate choose you?I chose real estate by accident really. I had arrived from the UK where I was a tradesman by profession in the woodworking industry. At that time I just wanted to enjoy the weather and wanted a job with…
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Oliver Bowler: Referral and repeat clients drive my business
Years in the industry? Seven, I started at Ouwens Casserly in April 2013. What’s a special place in your local area? Norwood Oval. I was born on Woods Street and love the buzz of the parade on a Friday night when the footy is on. The atmosphere at the oval and the surrounding pubs and restaurants can’t be beaten. Did you choose…
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Talisha Buttsworth: Clean workspace, clear mind
Years in the industry? Going on eight years. I started on reception straight out of high school at 17, and I am now a Property Manager at Island Sands Asset Management. What’s a special place in your local area? We have so many. Our local beach in Tannum Sands, walking onto Wild Cattle Island at low tide, Facing Island, and…
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EBM RentCover stresses importance of following rent freeze process
EBM RentCover is stressing the importance of following the government’s rent freeze process after receiving an influx of inquiries from landlords relating to COVID-19. EBM RentCover Managing Director Sharon Fox-Slater explained while there hadn’t been a notable rise in insurance claims during the past couple months, there had been a significant uptick in inquiries from landlords seeking clarity on what…
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30 minutes with Daniel Lee – Plum Property Brisbane
Only 10 seconds into a video depicting an Indooroopilly home, it’s hard not to break into outright laughter. On screen is Plum Property principal Daniel Lee looking for all intents and purposes like a dodgy used-car salesman espousing the virtues of a true ‘renovator’s delight’. It’s irreverent, it’s downright amusing, and it’s nothing like a standard real estate video. It…
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How to show true value as a property manager
Property managers need to do more than just return phone calls on time to show true value and secure more managements, a leading industry expert says. Speaking as part of a Transform 2020 lesson, Coronis Now Director Jodie Stainton says property managers must actively think about ways to offer more than their rivals and stand out in the crowd. “I…
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Real estate industry invited to contribute to PropTech future
The real estate industry is being invited to have its say on the future of PropTech after REACH Australia unveiled a group of Australasian PropTech providers who could revolutionise the sector both locally and overseas. Known collectively as the REACH Australia Class of 2020, the companies included in the cohort range from property management platforms to integrated smart lock providers,…
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Laura Shooter of SJ Shooter Real Estate named Transform 2020 winner
SJ Real Estate Managing Director Laura Shooter has been named the winner of Elite Agent’s Transform challenge for 2020. Receiving the welcome news on Friday, Ms Shooter said was “very excited,” and “quite surprised” to take out the title over a field of 306 participants who completed this year’s 30-day virtual course. “I didn’t go…
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Donna Gordin: Following my instincts
Years in the industry? Seems like forever, but in 1993 I started in a family business working for a very successful office in Scarborough. That make’s it just over 27 years. What's a special place in your local area?Our north facing bay in Rockingham, you’ll discover crystal blue waters and crisp white sand in Cockburn Sound.…
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Kristine Krienke: Going above and beyond to get the job done
Years in the industry?I have been in the industry for four years and I’m a Sales Associate at Place Estate Agents. What’s a special place in your local area?My local area is full of green spaces and parks that families are drawn to. With so many great outdoor areas to enjoy, it’s easy to forget you’re just 10kms from the…
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How to stop fearing and start having powerful direct conversations
Agents should stop “telling and selling” and start asking deep-diving questions to meet clients’ values, list more properties and make more sales. Speaking during one of this year’s Transform lessons, expert coach Caroline Bolderston says the key to doing this is to learn the art of having powerful direct conversations (PDCs). The trouble is, there are three main elements that…
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Creativity and innovation: Suzannah Toop
A few years ago, second-generation real estate professional Suzannah Toop was lucky enough to enjoy a coffee with Google Australia Head of Engineering, Alan Noble. When she asked him about the role of real estate in the future, his response struck a chord. “He just looked at me, and I’ll never forget it,” Suzannah says. “He simply said: ‘Well you…
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Bigger, better and bolder
It’s no secret that property managers are often used as a battering ram, caught in the middle of the landlord’s wants and the tenant’s needs. It’s no simple task managing the competing interests of varying parties, and the complex nature of the job often sees property managers leave the profession soon after entering it. MEN…
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Diane Witney: Matching a buyer to a perfect home
What was your first job? I am a forward-thinker, so my first job was the result of a work experience opportunity through a program run at my local high school. I had no real intention of becoming a pharmacist but wanted a permanent part-time job working Thursday nights and Saturday mornings at Miranda Fair. So I did the work experience…
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The loyalty effect
Ben Collier is different to many other agents I’ve interviewed. He’s quiet, considered, and doesn’t need to be the centre of attention. While other agents might prefer to take on the high-profile speaking gigs and seek recognition for their achievements, Ben is just not that kind of guy. He doesn’t give too many interviews and…
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Hungry, humble and smart: how Upstate gives customers a five-star experience
When experienced agents Pete Mosedale and Lachlan Yeates decided to start their own real estate brand, it wasn’t a move they took lightly. For 15 years they had enjoyed the comforts of a franchise system, appreciated the support provided, and valued the strength of a network. “It was the right time in the market,” Pete…
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Home is where the heart is
Holly Komorowski wouldn’t be where she is today without a couple of chooks, a lot of heart and a Nike “Just Do It” attitude. Synonymous with innovation in Canberra’s competitive real estate market, Holly has won the 2019 Gold Area as Agent of the Year at the Annual REA Excellence Awards. Taking out the top gong at the industry’s night…
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Staying in one lane and making it count
What a difference 23 months makes. In January 2018, Jye Read was down on his luck. Stuck in a hospital bed after being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, the O’Brien Real Estate agent knew something had to give. Call it a cliche, but the then 22-year-old knew this was a make or break moment. What…
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Designing for delight
Chuck McDowell won’t be taking a long holiday this Christmas. Yes, the MRI Software Senior Vice President, will make a quick trip across the Pacific Ocean to see family in Atlanta, Georgia, but then he’ll be straight back to work. MRI Software acquired homegrown property management software solutions company Rockend in July, which means Chuck (officially named Charles) is more…
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Property Management is where the heart is
A real estate professional of over 20 years, Lia Jagielka says her heart has always been in property management. “I don’t know anyone who aspires to be a property manager when they grow up – no-one says when I’m an adult I want to collect rent and conduct inspections,” she reflects. But when she landed a job in the industry…
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Bread and Butter
Bread and Butter LJ Hooker Narrabeen’s Grant Matterson started out as a baker, but when the time came to change roles, fate ensured he got his start in real estate.
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