Tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to become an agent at Reed & Co.?

I came up to Noosa from Brisbane over thirty years ago and I’ve never looked back. I spent the first couple of years living in Noosaville, before purchasing a property in Sunrise Beach, where I have now lived for 28 years. I love living near the beach and I never tire of running through the Noosa National Park. Like many of the people I meet in Noosa, I’m a very chilled out, easy going person so the relaxed Noosa lifestyle really suits me.

I’ve spent the last thirty years working in finance in a lending capacity, both for a major bank and running my own business. I worked with many real estate agents, as well as being a source of referrals, and over the years I developed long standing, friendly relationships with many of my clients. I really enjoyed the relationship side of this work, and I thought it would be a natural transition to move into the real estate industry.

What does your professional journey look like so far, and how did this journey bring you to Noosa?

I initially moved to Noosa for my career; I was working for a major bank, where my role was financing clients into real estate. I started my own business, Suncoast Home Loans, where as a mortgage broker, I was mainly responsible for assisting people in borrowing money to buy a home. After thirty years in finance, I decided it was time for a change, so over the last couple of years I chose to obtain my full real estate licence and immerse myself in the industry.
The move to Noosa was an easy decision, even if it was predominantly for work. The ability to raise a family in a relatively small town appealed to my wife and me, it’s a very safe and friendly community. We live near many schools and sporting facilities, and we’re only 700 metres from the beach. Not to mention the fact that it really is one of the most beautiful places in Australia.

What are your personal interests/commitments and how are they met within the Noosa Community?

I have a strong commitment to keeping fit and there is no better place to train than the natural surrounds of Noosa. I like to run daily, either solo or with friends, as well as do the Noosa Tri Club weekly running sessions. There are so many wonderful places to run in the area; the beautiful beaches, parks, the kilometres of pathways or even up into the Hinterland. My weekends always involve exercise, whether it be a walk along the beach or a hit of tennis, and we’ll often head over to Sunshine Beach Village to dine at one of the fantastic restaurants.

I am also the Chair of the school board at Good Shepherd Lutheran College. This is a voluntary position I have held for many years, which involves monthly meetings and regular correspondence with the college executive team. My children attended the college and loved it, so I enjoy giving back to the college.

Tell us about your individual approach as an agent, and the personal qualities which help you achieve this?

Ultimately, you’re helping people navigate the processes of, what is usually, the biggest value asset they have. It’s important to understand the reasons why people are looking to buy or sell and take a measured approach to helping them do that. I like to work in a methodical way without using any high-pressure sales tactics. I am a calm and considerate person with great regard for others, and I believe this helps in creating an element of trust with my clients.

Another key strength is the ability to really listen to buyers and vendors; everyone and every house has a story. When people are selling, I want to know what it is they love about their house, which allows me to gain in depth knowledge of what will sell an individual property.

My biggest advantage is my extensive knowledge of Sunrise Beach. After living in the area for thirty years, I’ve basically run through every street and have good knowledge of the homes. Being a long time local is invaluable when talking to buyers and sellers; the little insights like knowing the shortcuts to the beach or the best places to eat is terrific information to pass onto new arrivals to help them transition into a new community.

What does your team look like at Reed & Co?

I am just beginning my journey with Reed & Co., but I am looking forward to seeing what lies ahead!