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David Gordon: Why real estate is not all lattes and fast cars

It’s safe to say real estate is in David Gordon’s blood. A fourth generation real estate agent, the Ray White Byron Bay principal started his career straight out of school and hasn’t looked back. Here, David explains how he structures his day, the importance of sound team communication and why staffing problems are his biggest industry bugbear.

What was your first job?

My first and only job has been real estate. I started straight out of school 37 years ago.

Did you choose real estate or did real estate choose you?

Iโ€™m a fourth generation real estate agent, so I guess you can say real estate definitely choose me.

The business started with my great grandfather in 1937 and was then handed down to my grandfather, then down to my father and now onto me.

My brother and his son (fifth generation) operate our other real estate office in Lismore.ย ย 

What type of business do you focus on?

I have been fortunate to do every position available in a real estate office, from starting in reception to now selling Byron Bay‘s most prestige properties.

Iโ€™m currently focusing on high end properties and commercial management and sales.

What’s your most memorable sale and why?

I have had hundreds of memorable moments in sales and itโ€™s difficult to signal out just one.

The most rewarding sales are when the market allows you to make a seller $500,000 to $750,000 more than they were expecting for their family home and to see the incredible joy that extra money can bring. 

What’s the most important part of your day?

Definitely the mornings and communication with my clients and team members.

I exercise three to four mornings a week and I’m up at 5am.

I’m a bit fan of bootcamp but lately I have been doing a lot of long walks and some running.

The lighthouse walk is also a favourite.

I make sure I’m in the office by 7.30am, which gives me quiet time to plan the day and make some calls.

I practice good communication by walking around my office talking one-on-one with the team and asking their feedback on ideas and checking in with where they are up to.

Where would you like to be this time next year?

Iโ€™m very happy with where I am and my path towards semi retirement in the next 10 years.

Snow boarding in Canada for Christmas this year is a plan. 

If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be?

Staff turnover is always exhausting so I would like to see people more informed and educated before entering the industry.

Either people donโ€™t listen hard enough or how hard it is, isnโ€™t fully explained.

Itโ€™s not all lattes and fast cars. Well, not for the first five years at least.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given and who gave it to you?

My father once told me that making lots of money is never hard, learning how to keep it is the hard part. 

I have a very disciplined approach to saving money and trying to not live beyond my means too much.

I don’t spend a lot of money on drinking and eating out all the time or shopping unnecessarily.

I always put a portion of my commission into a personal savings account and a holiday account. 

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Kylie Dulhunty

Former Elite Agent Editor Kylie Dulhunty is a freelance content producer for the Elite Agent audience, leveraging her extensive copywriting and real estate expertise.