We Are Real Estate

  • Maria Carlino: Adrenalin rush

    On getting into real estateMy father had decided to sell our family home and invited a local real estate agent to value our home. I was only 16 and it was the first time I’d met a real estate agent and they were lovely. As we walked through our home, he was personable, interesting and I asked him, “Do you…

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  • William Pereira: THAT sale

    On getting into real estateFrom my early teenage years I knew this was going to be my path. From about 13 years old I used to read the Inner West Courier every week and was fascinated to see what homes were available on market at the time. I followed agents/agency profiles and was always interested to know who the market…

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  • Jacqui Walker: Second career

    On getting into real estateI started my career in real estate when l was 50. After a successful time in business it was time to sell that business and the only other career l thought l would really enjoy is real estate. Without mentioning this to anyone, I was in a discussion with the famous Ian Knight who owned RE/MAX…

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  • Ronald Kissell: Hammer hat-trick

    On getting into real estateAs a young boy growing up in Bathurst, I loved the energy and pace of the cattle auctions and knew one day I wanted to be an auctioneer. As it turns out I actually started off as a butcher and quickly recognised that people appreciated a strong customer service ethic. After many years as a successful…

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  • Maggie Petrie: Fake it till ya make it

    On getting into real estateMy marriage had just ended and I found myself with three children to support on my own. I got my first opportunity by way of a three-month contract as PA to two guys just starting out. Their partnership didn’t last but the director of the company offered me the BDM role the same day I finished…

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  • Harry Ponting: Hard work pays off

    On getting into real estateThe opportunity came up once I had finished studies in Melbourne and returned home. A career that I had never thought was possible, but deep down always had a passion for. I have loved every minute of it so far. The happiest moment in my careerMy first-ever sale in real estate was for a lady whose…

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  • Sarah Cincotta: Being resilient

    On getting into real estateI have worked in real estate for more than six years. My friend actually encouraged me to work for her office as an assistant property manager. I was working full-time managing a retail store and studying to obtain my Agents Representative Certificate. After being an assistant property manager for three years, I changed office and was…

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  • Megan Van Hoeyen: Know every client

    On getting into real estateI think I chose real estate as a kid. My first memories include the unique houses that Mum and Dad nearly bought, so while still in high school I started creating connections. On graduation day I called the business owner of Ray White Shailer Park and arranged my apprenticeship. It took a few years to realise…

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  • Lisa Walden: The small things

    On getting into real estateI was looking for a career change and thought I’d give real estate a go. Once I was licensed, I was addicted! The happiest moment in my careerBeing able to do what I love and include my husband and three children in a lifestyle that works for our family unit. The most memorable momentIt was a…

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  • Yvonne Furner: A perfect fit

    On getting into real estateI chose real estate as it was a perfect fit with my extensive sales and business background. I was prompted by a home open I attended where the agent was unprofessional and not working in the best interest of the seller. I was infuriated by the lack of integrity of the agent and felt disappointed for…

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  • Warren McCarthy: Winning customer service

    On getting into real estateI got drawn into a family business with my father in 1980, and eventually my brother joined us also. The happiest moment in my careerWorking in like-minded teams for the development of others. And, the joy from helping solve people’s problems and noting their appreciation.  The most memorable momentThis probably goes to a property in Rose…

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  • Deb Stephens: Why you want to be a dinner party subject

    On getting into real estateI was at a crossroad in my life and I had plans to move interstate in the weeks prior to applying for a job as a sales consultant at a local real estate office.  If I was offered the job, I would stay, if not, I would continue with plans to move. I believe things happen…

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  • Angela Limanis: Dancing in the street

    On getting into real estateI chose real estate after we sold our little apartment and bought our first house. I loved the process and positive feelings I experienced during this time. I also received great energy from the agent and thought to myself, how great it would be to feel this energy all the time. I started in admin, and…

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  • Stuart Legg: ‘Ruff’ day at the office

    On getting into real estateReal estate was my only option at the time. I am glad it was, looking back! The happiest moment in my careerAwards and recognition are great, but when a lovely family purchases a home from another great family, we get to witness the best side of human nature and that is so refreshing in today’s world.…

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  • Grant Matterson: Timely sale

    On getting into real estateI owned a retail shop and people suggested I would be good in real estate because I was personable. The happiest moment in my careerI am always so happy when I am a part of someone buying a property or selling one, and it is especially satisfying when I am able to do both for the…

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  • Neil Webster: Fulfilling dreams

    On getting into real estateI have a background in project management, so communication and relationship-building were already key components of my skill set. A few friends within real estate thought it would suit me and when the time came for a career change, they got me drunk and convinced me to do it. I’m glad they did. The happiest moment…

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  • Dave Stewart: Valuable Lessons

    On getting into real estateI lived on the Gold Coast in my very early 20s and I had the time of my life but I was earning $30k a year and spending $60k! So when I made it back to Melbourne I needed a job that allowed me to earn good money with next to…

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  • Kylie Depledge: Working together

    On getting into real estateMy father-in-law spoke about me to an agent and before I knew it I was running his office daily as he mainly worked away at that time. The happiest moment in my careerThe happiest moments are helping people on an everyday basis. Especially people who have been through a terrible time and they come to me…

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  • Gizzelle Powell: More than selling

    On getting into real estateOur Principal Phil Haley chose me. I was working at Australia Post and he was so impressed with my service that he asked me to give him a call if I ever decided to change career. It took him two years to convince me to accept the job but he said it was worth the wait.…

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  • Kate Fowler: Dress for success

    On getting into real estateI had enjoyed a fantastic career in the hotel industry working for some of the world’s best brands, specialising in sales and marketing. Along my career path I was fortunate enough to have been promoted to a role within Australia, so I packed up in London having never been to Australia before, and could hardly believe…

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  • Jon Snead: Making people happy

    On getting into real estateI had left my role as regional marketing manager with one of the big banks and decided to do something completely different. I spoke with five agents I knew through different people and after getting a very clear picture of what a career in real estate was going to be like, I went for it. I…

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  • Fiona Short: Customer service is key

    On getting into real estateLiving in Busselton, which was a small seaside community at the time, there were many real estate agencies as it was the destination that everyone wanted a holiday home in at that time. It was something I thought I needed to be involved in. The happiest moment in my careerA nomination several years in a row…

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  • Reece O’Brien: Importance of mentors

    On getting into real estateI always had an interest in real estate going back as far as the age of eight or nine, drawing floor plans with my late cousin. I wanted to try real estate as it appealed to me and after leaving school a few friends had been having some successes within the industry. I was offered a…

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  • Emily-Jane Megraw: Client relations expert

    On getting into real estateI purchased my first home at the age of 22 and it was an awful experience. I swore to myself on settlement day that I would get into the industry and make my mark. It was a lot of hard work. I worked for free at a rival agency for three months before I was given…

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  • Paulette Contessi: Higher education

    On getting into real estateVery early on when at uni studying commerce (marketing/PR), I took a role at LJ Hooker as a junior rep. I loved it but felt I was too young and needed some world experience, so I moved to Sydney and worked in hospitality. When I returned, I started an event management company and then moved into…

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  • Sally O’Connell: A different approach

    On getting into real estateI chose real estate as a major career change from private client banking at the age of 40. I selected the company I started my career with by asking people who had recently bought or sold what their experiences were like with the market leaders in the area. I had one interview with my chosen company…

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  • Andrew Gibbons: The long haul

    On getting into real estate On my way home from living in New York, the previous passenger had left a real estate magazine in the pocket of the seat in front of me. Whilst I was reading the articles inside, it dawned on me that this career was for me as I loved working with…

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  • Kathy Tsai: Don’t get caught in the Matrix

    On getting into real estateReal estate chose me when I was a little girl. My parents have always been buying and selling properties. I have been really fortunate to meet and deal with many real estate agents in the past before becoming one myself. The happiest moment in my careerThe happiest moment in my career is when I did my…

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  • James Gwynne: Value adding

    On getting into real estateI was looking for a career that you could work hard in and really reap the rewards if you did well at it.  The happiest moment in my careerI think my proudest moment was when I made the top 10 in Queensland for the franchise I was in and it was only my second year in…

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  • Kelly Jones: A fine balance

    On getting into real estateI bought a house with a granny flat and I thought I had better do a property management course and work out what I needed to do to rent it out. The happiest moment in my careerThe happiest moment is when I can sell a property off-market. Match a property with a buyer and a buyer…

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  • Michael Rava: Born to sell

    On getting into real estateI am a second generation real estate agent; my dad is a stock and station agent. So I guess you could say that I grew up very close to my dad doing deals on the phone. The happiest moment in my careerWhen I decided not to open my own franchise, which I was days away from…

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  • Chari Emirzade: Pick up the phone

    On getting into real estateI tried a few different roles. I tried being a plasterer and was terrible at that. Then I tried being a handyman and that was too hard. Then I tried sales at Godfreys (selling vacuum cleaners) – and I quickly worked out I was good at selling, so it was a natural progression to real estate. …

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  • Lee Fitzgerald: Life-long friends

    On getting into real estateInitially, I applied for a job advertised in the paper for a receptionist at Elders Real Estate, Morely Peter Kuhne & Associates. Thankfully I got the job, and within about six months, I became their assistant property manager. Now, after 21 years still working in the industry, I still love it. During this time I have…

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  • Henry Wong: Aiming high

    On getting into real estateReal estate was the only profession that I could see myself earning over $100k per year, profit that is, given my skillset and habits I had at that time. I gave myself three years to achieve this $100k-plus per year. There’s no other profession I’d be able to achieve that, as I’m not an engineer or…

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  • Clint Ferguson: Real estate is easy

    On getting into real estateI had no job after a career-ending back injury (previously a carpenter for 13 years) and after 16 months of mental and physical rehabilitation, my insurance company stopped paying me a wage. I was beyond broke. I had applied for dozens of jobs without success – even Bunnings wouldn’t give me a start – so I…

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