Gemma White, who operates with Professionals Vertullo Real Estate, has established herself as a leading agent in Hope Island and Runaway Bay, drawing on a unique combination of her personal investment knowledge and a deep understanding of social media marketing.
“People want to work with people,” Gemma says.
“If you can share that authentically across social channels, then people understand who you are as a person.”
A foundation built on property
Real estate has been part of Gemma’s DNA since childhood.
Growing up with parents who maintained a substantial property portfolio and ran development businesses, she learned early lessons about professionalism and client service.
“Mum and Dad had a little notepad and pen beside every phone in our house. No phone call was allowed to be left unanswered,” Gemma recalls.
After completing her real estate licence straight out of school, Gemma started in a sales-only office before relocating from New South Wales to Southeast Queensland.
She then spent several years in property management, including managing five buildings and working closely with management rights.
Following a six-month backpacking adventure through Europe and the UK, Gemma joined Professionals in 2014, where she remained in property management until making the leap to sales nearly five years ago.
The PM advantage
Gemma credits her property management background as instrumental to her sales success, particularly her focus on being proactive rather than reactive.
“It’s just about building relationships, doing what you say you’re going to do, being at the forefront of being organised and ahead of what needs to be done,” she believes.
However, she notes that by the time she transitioned to sales at age 30, she already had 12 years of real estate experience behind her.
“There’s never any plan B. Real estate’s always been my thing, regardless of everything else I’ve done on the outside,” Gemma says.
Specialising in the Northern Gold Coast
Gemma has carved out her niche in the Northern Gold Coast, with particular focus on Hope Island and Runaway Bay – areas where she not only works but also lives and invests.
With five investment properties of her own in these suburbs, Gemma brings a perspective many agents lack.
“A lot of agents don’t even know what those emotions feel like. A lot of agents don’t have their own investment properties,” she said.
“I understand interest rates and renovations and cash flow and risk and long-term wealth creation and all those things that people are really considering when they need to buy or sell an investment.”
Her client base includes an older demographic, and she works across the full spectrum of property types in the Northern Gold Coast region.
The power of personal connection
What sets Gemma apart is her commitment to nurturing relationships beyond the transaction.
She regularly organises past client events and community gatherings, from waterfront get-togethers at Cova to fun evenings at Slideways Nerang.
“I like to organise different events. I put it more into my business and the people that support me,” she said.
Gemma has also been involved in significant charity work, including granting wishes through Make A Wish Australia and supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
“I know what goes around comes around. And if I can give back in a way, especially to those who support me, then that’s what I like to do,” she said.
A grassroots approach to success
Gemma’s business growth has been built on a foundation of genuine care and commitment rather than chasing numbers.
“In the first two years, I didn’t even know what my GCI was. I didn’t even know how much money I had or hadn’t made because I never focused on that to start with,” she said.
“I just knew that if I did good by people and did good work and genuinely cared, it would all flow. And it has.”
Her approach to marketing reflects this philosophy – putting her total focus into every campaign and every client relationship.
“If you put your entire heart and soul into something and you do everything right to start with, then you’re going to get a good review at the end,” Gemma says.
Leveraging social media and video
Coming from a background that includes pageants and reality TV, Gemma recognised early the power of social media and video marketing in building a personal brand.
Her first sale – a waterfront property in Paradise Point that sold within three days unconditional – resulted in a video testimonial that helped launch her sales career.
“That’s why I knew video on social media marketing was something that was so important. And I still believe that’s the case today,” she says.
“We are constantly evolving. We have to stay one foot in front of the other and keep adapting.”
Navigating today’s market
In the current market conditions, Gemma believes her relationship-focused approach is more important than ever.
“Relationships really do matter more than ever. In today’s market, buyers do have more choice because there are more properties that are on market, and it does mean that sellers need to get better advice,” she says.
She ensures clients receive weekly vendor reports and statistics, maintaining clear communication throughout the sales process.
“When days on market blow out, that communication aspect is more important than ever before,” Gemma says.
Building the right team
After experiencing some challenges with team dynamics in the past, Gemma has now assembled the right support structure, including an executive assistant who handles administrative work.
“I’ve finally got those dynamics right,” she says.
“I’m just more so focusing on what I do best, and that’s working with clients and marketing and really nurturing those relationships.”
Looking ahead, Gemma is focused on consolidating and building on the strong foundation she’s established.
“Everything that I’ve set myself out to achieve, I feel like I’ve done it. And now I’m just happy with where my business is at and just to keep building on the groundwork,” she says.
“If you don’t show up every day, then your business falls apart anyway. I’m just really focusing on what I’ve already built.”