Now a luxury real estate advisor at Barfoot & Thompson, Paul Neshausen operates in one of Auckland’s most affluent areas, consistently ranking in the top half per cent of the company’s 1,800 agents.
But his journey to the top began with what his family called a “midlife crisis.”
“I was climbing the corporate ladder and did an MBA and all that sort of stuff,” Paul said.
“I’d been general manager of sales and then country manager, however I woke up one day and had an epiphany. I thought, you know, I hate this corporate gig. I’m going to quit.”
A fresh start
After leaving his corporate role, Paul knew he wanted to stay in sales – it was what he was passionate about and, as he puts it, “the only thing I was good at.”
But he wanted something different, with no reports, no politics, no bureaucracy and no ceiling on his earnings.
Real estate was the answer.
Paul hit the ground running, earning more in his first year than he had in his biggest corporate year.
“I actually had to work hard, which I did,” he said.
“I was kind of forced to work hard and do well, but I had a running start and I was successful really early.”
Finding the right fit
Paul interviewed with three companies before choosing Barfoot & Thompson, the only company he’s worked for in his 13-year real estate career.
“They were so honest and sincere and authentic and pleasant that I thought, you know what? I’m going to work for this company,” he said.
“It’s the best decision I made.”
The luxury market
Today, Paul specialises in Auckland’s luxury market, working in one of the city’s most affluent areas with properties typically ranging from $2 million to $20 million.
But he’s quick to point out that he doesn’t limit himself to only high-end properties.
“The thing about the low end properties is there’s as much fulfilment in those in terms of what you do for the vendor as there is the big ones,” he said.
“You can sell 10 $2 million properties a month, it’s great cash flow.
“You can sell one $20 million one and get your name in lights, but it’s taken you four months.”
The art of listening
When asked about his greatest skill, Paul believes it’s his ability to listen.
“I’m a brilliant listener. I always joke that sometimes I go into a meeting or a listing opportunity, I’ll say hello and then goodbye and that’s it,” he said.
“You get a feel for people emotionally and mentally and how you need to talk. I pick up on the vibe really quickly.”
This ability to connect with clients has helped him maintain his position among Barfoot & Thompson’s top-performing agents year after year.
Giving back
Paul has been the major sponsor of the Eastern Bay swim series for seven years, supporting an event that attracts 350 contestants every Thursday night.
“That’s my way of giving back to the community and saying thank you,” he said.
He also mentors a team of six agents, one of the larger teams in the company, and regularly provides advice to colleagues.
“I’m enjoying seeing the progress of my team, enjoying their success,” he said.
The price of success
Paul is candid about the personal cost of his achievements.
“My wife and children have paid a big price for my success,” he said.
“I’m always working. I’m never around. I miss this. I miss that. I’m always late, or I get home and I’m just exhausted, and so they never get the best out of me.”
He credits his family’s support as essential to his success and is now working to build his team so he doesn’t have to be at the front of the business all the time.
“Without their support, I couldn’t do what I do,” he said.
Looking ahead
Paul has one major goal remaining — to be number one in the company.
“I’ve always kind of just dipped out for whatever reason. I’ve always had these amazing excuses about why, however no excuses — I just haven’t been good enough,” he said.
“So I want to be number one in the company at some stage. That’s no mean feat. There’s 1,800 agents here.”
He’s also passionate about improving the real estate industry’s reputation and making it harder to enter the profession.
“I’m an advocate for trying to make our industry better, more trusted, harder to get into because I think it’s just too easy to get into real estate,” he said.
“I really want to up the ante in terms of the credibility of real estate agents and real estate agency work.”
Paul’s growth in luxury real estate reflects a mix of commercial discipline, client insight and long-term consistency.