At Wiseberry Heritage the award-winning property management team practices their craft with passion, with a capital P.
The winners of the 2022 AREA for Property Management Team of the Year, we’ve already brought you the innovative strategies behind their success, as well as the first part of our Q and As with each member of the team.
And in today’s final part in our three-part series, we speak with the remaining property management team members to understand how they got their start in the industry, why they work tirelessly to do their best for their landlords and tenants, what changes they’d like to see in property management and what their next career goals are.
Jamie-Lee Gibson- Property Manager
What do you love about property management?
Helping people find a place to call home and building trusting relationships with landlords.
What was your personal work highlight ?
I started my career in property management in 2022 from working in retail – I am proud of the career transition and growing my portfolio from 120 to 150 properties and gaining my real estate license in 2023.
What key goal/goals are you focusing on for the next 12 months?
Building my portfolio size and better time management skills.
If you could change one thing about the PM industry what would it be?
Better access to reliable trades.
What’s something that you learnt early in your career that still helps you today?
Take notes on everything.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given and who gave it to you?
Instead of dwelling on all the problems you need to solve, take time to reflect and celebrate all the things you have achieved. Shaye Wallis, from Wiseberry Heritage, gave me this advice and it’s so valuable.
Madeleine Barlow – Property Manager
What do you love about property management?
Every day is different.
What was your personal work highlight?
Moving out of area and starting work with Wiseberry!
What key goal/goals are you focusing on for the next 12 months?
Getting to know my tenants and landlords and building relationships.
If you could change one thing about the PM industry what would it be?
Unrealistic expectations of a property manager.
What’s something that you learnt early in your career that still helps you today?
Always ask for help, especially in an industry that doesn’t always have black and white answers.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given and who gave it to you?
Never assume anything.
Kim Whalan – Property Manager
What do you love about property management?
Always helping people with housing.
What was your personal work highlight?
I took charge in running Tenant of the Year – it was a blast!
What did your team do really well last year that you hadn’t done before?
Moved into our new office smoothly.
What key goal/goals are you focusing on for the next 12 months?
Working remotely full time successfully.
What’s something that you learnt early in your career that still helps you today?
Treat all people the same.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given and who gave it to you?
The best advice I have received is from our amazing property manager Naomi Lynch. Always tell the truth and own up to your mistakes. Always apologise for your mistakes.
Alison Leatham – Property Manager
What do you love about property management?
I love my clients. I have some of the best landlords and tenants who make my job easier – everyday is different and there is never a dull day.
What was your personal work highlight?
I became a property manager in 2022, after working in real estate for nearly 15 years. From a young age I said I wanted to be a property manager. After selling our home of over 13 years I was asked if I would work in property management and I said I would “give it a crack” and here I am a year later still giving it a crack.
What did your team do really well last year that you hadn’t done before?
Tenant of the Year! I have never been involved in anything like it before. It was such a fun event recognising our wonderful tenants.
What key goal/goals are you focusing on for the next 12 months?
To continue to work on my confidence in my role and continue to build relationships with both my landlords and tenants.
What’s something that you learnt early in your career that still helps you today?
One of my old bosses once told me when dealing with a repair – the landlord was asking if they needed to supply a portable toilet for the tenant and she told me to picture it as if it was my home with that issue. Do what I would do. Would I pay for a portable toilet for myself? I often try to put myself in the client’s position, whether they are a landlord or a tenant.
Ivette Magsalin – Property Manager
What do you love about property management?
Meeting new people and forming great working relationships.
What was your personal work highlight?
Finding a work/life balance.
What did your team do really well last year that you hadn’t done before?
The lowest arrears we have ever had.
What key goal/goals are you focusing on for the next 12 months?
Focusing on being pro-active with my landlords and tenants.
If you could change one thing about the PM industry what would it be?
Higher award wages.
What’s something that you learnt early in your career that still helps you today?
Being relatable with my clients. They tend to like you more when you are more personable with them.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given and who gave it to you?
Be honest with your clients.
Crystal Collins – Accounts/Property Manager
What do you love about property management?
Assisting those that may have come from unfortunate backgrounds into the private rental market.
What was your personal work highlight?
Being able to get back into the community face to face to assist the vulnerable after years of lock down. I was able to reconnect with women’s refuges and other local services.
What did your team do really well last year that you hadn’t done before?
Our culture really started to evolve into the dream team.
What key goal/goals are you focusing on for the next 12 months?
Growing and evolving the accounts/admin team.
If you could change one thing about the PM industry what would it be?
The perception of property managers in the community.
What’s something that you learnt early in your career that still helps you today?
Don’t judge people on their circumstances. Have empathy and understanding and give everyone respect.
- The strategies behind Wiseberry Heritage’s AREA-winning property management team
- Wiseberry Heritage: Practising property management with passion – Part 1
