How does your usual day look?
I rise at 4:30am and head off to boot camp or a nearby hillside walking track at 5am. I then try to get to the office by 6:30 or 7am to catch up on leftover emails and get on top of the day's events. I spend the morning in the office and try to book any inspections for the afternoon. My darling wife insists that I am home by 5:30pm so it's often frantic making sure I get back to everyone, each day.
How did you start your career in commercial real estate?
I had worked at a car dealership since I was 17 and thought I would never leave and one day become the dealer principal. As I reached the six and seven year mark, the six days a week grew a bit old.
I started considering commercial real estate after being approached by a rival agency. That company did not feel like the right fit so I did nothing about it. Another year went by and I sold a new HSV GTS to one of the directors of Ray White Commercial Townsville and got offered a job. Adrian was very persistent in following me up and I joined the business in March 2013.
We have grown from a team of six in 2013 to a team of 13 today.
What do you enjoy most about being a director at Ray White Commercial? What makes Ray White Commercial different?
My role is 100% in sales and leasing and this is great for me as I don’t like anything more than the kill. As long as I am doing a few deals a week and the business is going well, I’m happy.
What are your go-to property marketing methods that you present to your clients?
Online is our biggest marketing method. We have also developed a really strong database and use weekly mailouts to tell customers about our new listings. Our email marketing platform has also been a great tool for getting the right listings in front of buyers and tenants.
Tell me about a unique success story?
Taking out the NPS award with Philip Hunt this year has been one of my proudest successes. Philip has dominated this award for several years. With 51, 10/10’s this year already, I’m coming for you, Philip!
Do you auction?
We haven't conducted many auctions over the last six years. This is only because we haven't focused on it or had much training. This year, with some continual training, we have really focused on pitching auctions and have seen good success. Our default pitch for method of sale is now in most cases - auction.
What’s the one thing you know now, that you wish you knew when you first started out?
Remove yourself and your opinion from the transaction. You can never tell what a seller or landlord will accept. Get every offer on a contract or heads of agreement and present anything.
What is your outlook for the Townsville commercial market over the next 12 months?
Positive. Townsville has been one of the toughest economies in the country since I joined this business. Each year seems to have been tougher and tougher for locals with high unemployment being a major issue. The mining industry, lead by Adani, has really started to turn and this has helped our industrial sector which is currently accounting for 65% of our turnover. We are definitely at the bottom and things can only get better from here.
CONTACT:
Email: troy.townsend@raywhite.com
Phone number: 0407 213 887
