Terri Fellows is returning to Harcourts Pakenham as co-owner, 16 years after she first walked through its doors looking for a chance to break into real estate.
Terri joined Harcourts Pakenham in 2010 after Managing Director Peter Blackwood offered her a reception role.
She moved into property management, then sales, going on to be ranked No. 1 in Pakenham for several years and later No. 2 and No. 3 across another network.
“My success certainly didn’t happen overnight. There were years when I’d start work at 5am and wouldn’t finish until 11pm or midnight. I spent countless hours in the office, door knocking, letterbox dropping and walking the streets, doing everything I could to build relationships and really understand my local community,” Terri said.
In 2021, pregnant with her first daughter, Brooklyn, Terri left to start her own agency, Fellows Real Estate, built around personalised service and the flexibility to spend more time with her family. The business grew quickly, with Terri and colleague Tahnee Morgan taking on sales, property management, administration and accounts between them.
“Initially, everything was going to plan. I was doing what I loved, building my own business and enjoying precious time with my family,” Terri said.
“But as the business grew, so did the workload. Tahnee and I often felt like we were doing the work of ten people between us.”
Now a mother of two, Terri said the chance to return to Harcourts Pakenham came through relationships that had lasted throughout her career, including with Harcourts Pakenham Director Tain, who had stayed in touch over the years.
“Peter and Tain played such a big part in shaping the agent and businesswoman I am today. The relationships have always mattered to me, and coming back to work alongside people who genuinely care about their staff, their families and their clients just felt right,” she said.
Peter Blackwood said the joint venture brought together people who already knew and respected one another.
“This joint venture brings together people who know and respect one another, with a shared commitment to our clients and the local community. It gives Terri the opportunity to build on what she’s achieved, backed by the broader team and resources of Harcourts Pakenham.”
Harcourts Victoria CEO Adam Fiteni said the arrangement combined entrepreneurial experience with the strength of an established network.
“Strong local businesses are built by people who understand their communities. Bringing that experience together with the systems, people and resources of the Harcourts network creates an opportunity for the business and its clients to benefit,” Adam said.
Terri and Tahnee have also supported local sporting clubs, families, community events and childhood cancer research across Cardinia, Casey and Gippsland, and plan to continue that work through Harcourts Pakenham.
“This isn’t just about joining another real estate business,” Terri said.
“It’s about coming home to where my career began, bringing everything I’ve learnt along the way and being part of something really special.”