After almost a decade in hospitality, Ray White Bankstown sales consultant Craig Stephenson decided to combine his passion for property and customer service into a career in real estate. He reveals the secrets to his success so far.
What was your first job and what did it teach you?
My first job was as a newspaper delivery boy, and I pushed the little cart/trolley through the local area and blew a whistle to wake the neighbourhood on a Sunday morning.
It taught me to be up early and to get to know my clients. I have reconnected with some of those clients because I’m selling houses in the same streets.
Did you choose real estate or did real estate choose you?
I chose real estate after working in the hospitality industry for almost 10 years. I decided it was time for a change, and wanted to use my love of property and customer service skills to create a career selling homes.
What’s your most memorable sale?
It was 4 Caldwell Pde, Yagoona. The property sold above reserve, and well above everyone’s expectations.
The owners had never sold before, and the buyers had missed out on multiple properties, so I was very happy with the outcome for all involved.
What’s the most important part of your day?
Getting my daughter out of bed in the morning. She is nine months old, and I get her out of bed when she wakes up. We start our day together.
I make our breakfasts and spend the morning with her before I leave for work. Being in real estate means I don’t always get home at 6pm, so it is important I have that time with her.
What key areas will you focus on in 2021?
Being more active on my social pages, doing more live videos and interacting with potential clients. I hope to become more of an attraction agent. I just need to lose my camera shyness.
Were would you like to be this time next year?
Over the next 12 months, I would like to double my number of sales, so I will need to put in the hard yards.
I also hope to take a well-deserved holiday in Europe with my wife and daughter. This year has been tough. My wife is of Italian background, but because of COVID-19, we haven’t been able to travel and introduce our baby to our extended family like we had hoped to.
If you could change one thing in the industry, what would it be?
Commission cutters removed from the industry. Like any industry, there should be standard fees, and we have all seen agents and agencies that drop fees to ridiculous levels to get business.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Accepting the things I cannot change and that are outside of what I can control. Then, to focus on changing and dealing with things that are within my control.
