Wollongong native and respected agent Michael Moate, along with his devoted team, will send off the year with a bang by launching Richardson & Wrench Figtree.
A seasoned professional, Mr Moate learnt the real estate ropes from his father, Ron Moate, and said he is now passionate about combining those prized traditional values with the contemporary culture of the Richardson & Wrench brand.
“But one thing he taught me was to do the right thing by people, first and foremost,” he said.
“And that’s still so important today.
“He used to say, ‘Sail your ship straight, and it’ll go further’.
“His philosophy has always been that even if being straight in business might take a little longer to get where you’re going, stick to your moral compass and you’ll get there.”
He said his decision to join the Richardson & Wrench family was driven by the authenticity of the company as a whole.
“I really like the way the group does business and puts people first,” Mr Moate said.
“I also found it really refreshing that Andrew Cocks, the managing director, is just a genuine human being.
“I’m looking forward to it; being able to refresh and rebrand while moving forward in a positive manner.”
Steered by Mr Moate as director, the Richardson & Wrench Figtree team plans on kicking off 2022 with a new banner over the front door, but the same tried and tested work ethic that has served the Wollongong community so well over three decades.
“We’re going to continue to leave no stone unturned with regards to making sure people get really great service, are looked after and respected,” he said.
“It’s important in my eyes that everyone is treated fairly, because the buyer is going to be the seller one day, and the seller is going to be the buyer.
“Buying a home is stressful, so we want to make it as nice an experience as possible.
“It’s probably the biggest decisions you’re ever going to make, and it’s the most amount of money you’ll spend at one time, so you don’t want to make it harder than it has to be.”
As an integral part of the Figtree community, Mr Moate and his experienced team, have become a trusted part of the local landscape.
Their years of specialised knowledge is an asset to vendors and buyers at a time when interest has soared in Wollongong and throughout the greater Illawarra region.
“It’s a fast-moving market at the moment with tight supply and high demand, but I still believe that traditional sales methods done well are the best option for sellers,” he said.
“I’m not a big believer in selling off-market because I just don’t think you’re going to get a premium price.
“You need to actually expose every home to everyone out there and have them come through your front door.”
Like many coastal markets within a commutable distance of Sydney, Wollongong and particularly desirable family-friendly pockets like Figtree have been in high demand and will continue to be for years to come according to Mr Moate.
“It’s one of the first suburbs outside of Wollongong’s CBD and families are drawn to the neighbourhood thanks to its good location and excellent homes,” he said.
“There’s a variety of traditional homes, like the ones I used to sell with my dad, but also some more contemporary developments. The area really has something for everyone.”
