Ray White WA chief says ‘the future is ours’

MORE than 120 agents and property managers from across Western Australia descended on the Hyatt Regency in Perth today for Ignite19, a day-long event to kick off the year.

The Ignite19 sessions were designed to help our agents navigate and adapt to current markets conditions.

Ray White Western Australia CEO Mark Whiteman addressed the members with the statement ‘the future is ours’ for the taking.

“The year is well underway and clearly things have tightened up in Western Australia. Take a look at Karratha where things are moving along very fast. It’s the same in Port Hedland where the market is starting to spark. These two centres are at the epicentre of the mining industry, and there’s been very competitive bidding at their auctions but there’s actually not a lot of stock to sell. It’s great to see these two centres roaring back,” Mr Whiteman said.

“The projections from (mining giant) Rio Tinto are incredible and I can see our population swelling in Western Australia.

“We really need to prepare for what is coming to make sure our members are armed with the best information in this market.

“We cannot change the market so we want to help all our members, that’s the sacred role we have as your franchisor. We take a lot of inspiration from our network, the way you share among yourselves.

“Family values run deep at Ray White and during hard times our members have all lived by those values which makes me so proud.”

Mr Whiteman said now was the time our colleagues at Loan Market needed our support as their livelihoods were at risk.

“Our Loan Market brokers need our support after the recommendations from the Banking Royal Commission has helped the big banks and thrown our brokers under the bus,” he said.

“It really is beyond belief that 60 per cent of all loans are set and sought through brokers, and our brokers’ NPS is actually better than ours, so consumers like dealing with brokers and yet these recommendations will make it harder for their customers to get a better deal if they have to go direct to the banks.”

The members were captivated by keynote speaker Matt Burton, the local Perth-based triathlete and ironman champion who is sponsored by Ray White in WA.

Burton knows all too well the hard work and focus it takes to be among the Elite in your field.

After three years of being at the top of his age for the ironman titles, Burton battled with mental challenges and injuries which could have seen him retire, however through his persistence and with the help of his support team he continued to be crowned champion at both state and international competitions.

The professional athlete for 10 years recovered from a broken sacrum to come back stronger than ever, and he’s flying to New Zealand tonight to hopefully qualify again to race in Kona, Hawaii.

“In sport, the best in the world are the greatest critics on themselves. In racing and in training, I am tough on myself. I need to be better every day but I have learned to relax a bit more and the next few weeks are exciting for me. But at the end of the day, I just love winning,” Burton said.

“I need to keep my training up and maintain 40 hours of training a week. I didn’t want to give up as I want to have an impact on my sport. I didn’t pick up this sport as a junior and for me I want to have an impact on kids coming through.

“Always remember whatever you do - don’t let your ego take over.”

He’s been competing for 10 years and came second in the WA Short Course last weekend.

“You’ve got to learn every day to try and get better. “

Ray White CEO of Growth Mark McLeod delivered some stark facts about the local WA market and the various methods of sale - auctions versus private treaty.

“The fact is our data supports auctions over private treaty,” he said, pictured about with Phil Kelly.

“The fact is auctions work and it has nothing to do with your economy, your neighbours or your competitors, it has everything to do with how you operate and your processes.”

Ray White Castle Hill director Phil Kelly spoke to the agents about his auction success, which was measuring 80 per cent clearance in the Hills District of Sydney.

“We always get our vendor reports out by 9am on a Monday morning, so you are mad if you are not making your feedback calls between 8am and 9am on a Monday morning,” he said.

“I expect all my team members to work in the real world and deal with facts.

“The auction result goes back to the preparation in the weeks leading up to it.”

Ray White North Quays agent Ben Keevers - who played 163 games for the WAFL league - said winning was a choice.

“There’s a clear process to follow to success. Along the way I’ve had ups and downs but in the end, personally I’m pretty competitive, in both work and football and I just wanted success,” Mr Keevers said.

“I road the wave in. I had a lot of success in a good team and I brought this into my work too. I hate losing, I like to win. It’s part of my DNA.

“But to be fair, am trying to find more balance in my life and I aspire to spend more time with my kids while they are small.

“In my move to Ray White, I felt that it was going to get me where I wanted to be with the support, processes and systems. We’re on our way but there’s so much more room for more.

“When you’re at the top of your game, you still need to be willing to learn to grow more.”