With 17 years experience in Property Management, and 5 years as part of the LJ Hooker family, Angela Laliotitis has extensive knowledge of all aspects of residential property management. She strongly believes the relationship between agent, tenant, and landlord is crucial, and is passionate about creating successful results for her owners.
When did you start working in Real Estate?
I started working in Real Estate as a receptionist in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, so I guess its 21 years that I’ve been in the industry.
What made you choose a property management career?
I worked in the travel industry in the late 80s and was retrenched due to the recession that occurred at the time. A friend asked me to work in his real estate office as a receptionist. I listened to the property manager deal with landlords and tenants and thought, “wow, I could be a property manager too”.
What are the biggest challenges that you face?
Like any property manager, you try to achieve a win/win situation with landlord and tenants. It doesn’t always work that way and someone gets disappointed.
What do you love about property management?
Working in Newtown as a property manager is the most interesting place to be. I get to meet so many interesting and diverse groups of people. Both tenants and landlords are easy to deal with. I like it when tenants are settled in their new homes and my landlords are happy with the results we achieve. We have many well-known people in and out of our office as well.
How is your agency unique?
We have a rent roll of around 1100 properties, with four senior property managers in our office and each one has their own individual strengths. Our leasing officer is a gem and cares so much about our business. Our accounts and a personal assistant are second to none. We all work well together and we are like a family. We are open with our challenges and like every good family, there are fights but we all kiss and make up by 5:30pm. I think that when you spend so much time together it’s going to happen. We have times when we laugh so much but we get our work done. We are a positive team environment. It is a great place to be.
We manage many lovely terraces in Newtown, and it’s a great area for renovators. Our owners are open to things like a fresh coat of paint, polishing floorboards, and other nice touches, which allow us to periodically increase rents and add value to the properties that we manage. The fact that owners are open to this tends to make our lives much easier.
What was the most memorable property that you have managed?
Years ago I was working at Blacktown, and I was doing an outgoing inspection, when I turned the corner and found this huge African mask hanging off the ceiling and bulging eyes. It gave me such a fright that I bolted out of that house!
What is the best advice you have been given?
The best advice I received was “always be true to yourself”.
What are your most important values?
Be honest even if you get in trouble.
What are the key aspects of maintaining healthy relationships with your landlords and tenants?
Be truthful so there are no surprises down the track. The longer you stay in a property management position the more comfortable your landlords are with you and you keep up the relationship.
Do you have a mentor or someone that inspires you?
My mum has always encouraged me and believed in me. She doesn’t believe in giving up and is always so positive. My two children inspire me every single day, they are my world.
What would be your dream job?
I would like to train upcoming property managers. Time management is the key to property management; I would like to implement systems that would work in an office. Property Management staff tend to burn out without the right systems in place
How do you relax outside of real estate?
My teenage son and daughter who keep me pretty entertained. We love to spend time at the beach and holiday anywhere near the sea. We all support the Sydney Roosters and love going to the games. I have a wonderful group of friends that I’m truly blessed to have in my life. We all met through our daughters dance school. We all get along and our kids get along and we have a fantastic time together.
If you could have any three people at your dinner party, who would they be and why?
Jennifer Aniston – she is a classy lady who has maintained her dignity throughout her professional life, Sophie Monk – she is so funny and so grounded – she laughs at herself and is honest. Kyle Sandilands – this guy has a big heart. He gets in trouble with the things he says but what you see is what you get.
What are your predictions for Real Estate in the next year?
I think rents will continue to rise in the Newtown area.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in Property Management?
Get the basics right and the rest will follow. Make sure your paper work is flawless. There is nothing worse than having mistakes on leases, rent increases, and termination notices.
Angela will be featured on REUncut (www.reuncut.com.au) during the week of 22nd May 2012.
