Beyond the Signboard with Amy Bennett
Welcome to Beyond the Signboard; where you get the opportunity to learn all there is to know about your real estate journey from professionals who are passionate about property.
Beyond the Signboard with Amy Bennett
Navigating the Auction Advantage in Sunshine Coast Real Estate with Marcus Muir
The vibrant sands of the Sunshine Coast are not just for sunbathing; they're the backdrop of a real estate narrative that's as enriching as it is enlightening. I'm Amy Bennett, and in our latest episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming Marcus Muir, the McGrath Network's ace auctioneer, to share the secrets behind his ascent from a trainee to a real estate virtuoso. We traverse memories of our beloved coastal region, its metamorphosis into a bustling market, and the familial warmth it extends to residents and realtors alike.
In a heartfelt exchange, Marcus and I reflect on the industry's trials and triumphs, with resilience and adaptability emerging as our guiding stars. We dissect the formidable era of the Global Financial Crisis and the subsequent evolution of real estate marketing, shifting from traditional methods to the potential-laden terrain of off-the-plan sales. It's not just about structures and transactions; our conversation celebrates the emotional tapestry woven through every property journey, from the anticipation of projects breaking ground to the satisfaction of seeing a family's dream home realized.
Tune in for a candid look at the competitive advantage of auctions, and how they inject efficiency and excitement into the selling process, often achieving premium outcomes. Marcus and I break down the tactical interplay between auctioneers and agents, lauding the increasing diversity and creativity women are injecting into the field. It's a lively discussion that also steps off the auction block to savor the personal side of life—where patience, persistence, and the joy found in family milestones remind us that the true value of real estate lies in the human experiences it facilitates.
Welcome to Beyond the Signboard, where you get the opportunity to learn all there is to know about your real estate journey from professionals who are passionate about property. I'm Amy Bennett, your host, and I look forward to providing you with education, inspiration and a behind-the-scenes look at the world of real estate. Well, good morning, mr Marcus Muir the man, the myth, the legend.
Speaker 2:Good morning Amy. Absolute pleasure to be here.
Speaker 1:It is so exciting. When I was looking at who I could invite for the first series of this podcast, your name came straight to mind. We know each other in a professional capacity. You are our number one auctioneer for all of the McGrath Network Australia-wide.
Speaker 2:That's right. It's a pleasure to get the phone call and, like I said, it's been a wild ride watching your career when I used to walk in here as the auctioneer, as receptionist, and now you and I are working together on the floor selling property under the hammer.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's amazing. We love an auction campaign. Together we do. We will talk all things auction, but there's so much more to your world personally and professionally aside from auction. Love you to share your career journey. I know both of us grew up here on the coast. We, you know, bleed the Sunshine Coast. We love this region. We're very passionate about the growth of the area and obviously highlighting to prospective buyers the benefits of the area.
Speaker 2:Correct. No, it's a region that we're very passionate about. We love right. The Sunshine Coast just goes from strength to strength and you know not just on that side of things what a beautiful place to raise a family.
Speaker 1:Yeah absolutely.
Speaker 2:You walk along the beach with your kids in the morning, you drop them at school, everywhere you go, and everything you do is a pleasure.
Speaker 1:Nothing's hard, it's amazing. So you have the beautiful Eve and Lulu, who we'll learn a little bit more about as we go. Beautiful at times. Yes.
Speaker 2:So graduating from Sunshine Coast Grammar School, here, I guess a few years ago now, yes, a few years ago now and I guess that segues into born and raised Melbourne came to the Sunshine Coast, obviously schooled here, and that's where I guess it segues into my property journey. Yes, so I was at Sunshine Coast Grammar. I then went to boarding school at Nudgee yes, which was a fantastic opportunity. Played rugby down there. It was fantastic. But also that's how I got involved in a school-based traineeship. Okay.
Speaker 2:And the grades weren't going in the way that anyone hoped. No surprise there.
Speaker 1:Doing well on the footy field. Correct anyone?
Speaker 2:hoped. No surprise there Doing well on the footy field. Correct, that was about it. The guidance counsellor said to me Marcus, where are we going to go from here? And there was a guy at school called Jake and I remember his dad was a real estate agent. Every time I'd see him picking Jake up he'd be on the phone well-dressed, smooth operator. Yeah, and I said, what does Jake's dad do?
Speaker 2:And he goes he's actually a real estate agent and I said how do I get a piece of that? So again, I just got to thank the school so much. They said, well, we'll organise you to go out a day a week with a real estate agency and at that stage it was Keronis back in the day right, yeah, they had two offices. Okay.
Speaker 2:That was it, yeah. So I think now they've got hundreds right. Huge growth, yeah, was it? Yeah, I think they're. Now they've got hundreds right huge growth, yeah. So I got a school-based traineeship one day a week and I absolutely fell in love with the industry it's amazing in every way, shape and form. Sure, and even though my role was to ensure that I could make the best instant coffee, all the paper was filled in the cartridges um, any job that anyone didn't want to do I was there to do on mondays best start.
Speaker 1:hey, that's both. Both of us started in that way within the industry, learning from the best, correct and again while I was so passionate about the way you started. Yes.
Speaker 2:It was the same. So every Monday I would catch the bus in to the city, meet Andrew and start work and, like I said, I was just so grateful that I got a very good view of the industry and that just led me to what I wanted to do. I did that all through grade 11 and 12 and then graduated and got straight into real estate.
Speaker 1:So how did you find that, as I guess, going back a few years, not to say that you're that old, we're about the same age, but what was the perception of you being a young male in the industry at that time?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was definitely challenging in the sense that I think obviously a lot's changed in the world right not just in the sense of property, but it was still very much the old school. It was all runs on boards right, and no one wanted to deal with anyone unless they were literally 45 plus.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's right. So experience was something that was paramount, paramount, yeah. And again, where I was lucky genetically is I look very old.
Speaker 2:You do not, so everyone thought I was older than I actually was, yeah, classic so that was one stage in my life where I was grateful.
Speaker 1:Yeah, wise, beyond your years.
Speaker 2:Correct, but again, fortunate enough to work around people that would take me along. Yeah, sure, effectively. Then the opportunity was Marcus is here, he's going to do a great job, he's with us. He's going to be an asset to the sale of your home. Yeah, amazing.
Speaker 1:So I was lucky I had those people, and hard work is certainly something you've never shied away from. No I know that heart and soul, with who you are Totally. That you do what you say you're going to do, but also that you are passionate about everything.
Speaker 2:You do what you say you're going to do, but also that you are passionate about everything you do and you've got to be Like if you're not passionate about this industry, it's just not going to last. That's right. And again, I was very fortunate as we were discussing before. I worked through the GFC. Yeah Right, and that was as much as it was a painful way to start in the industry. The cycles that you got to work through really opened your eyes and, more importantly, appreciate the good times Totally.
Speaker 1:Look, let's delve into that, because you certainly opened my eyes to some scenarios. Now. My stepfather, growing up so in the 90s, he was a real estate agent, like genuine commission only. So it was a long time between paychecks, that's for sure, and you know I know his car was always nice. You know he had people that he'd take around to properties. But, yeah, bloody tough times you just mentioned then about. You know it was what five months, you know, between deals.
Speaker 2:Listen, it was a time, like I said, that we would go, and sometimes I see agents at the moment who will say something to me like oh, it's taken me four weeks of open homes to get it away and it's been kind of dragging on and like not that long ago, like it would have been 2008, 2007, 2008, 2009,. You know, we were going into listing presentations, bringing our listing form as we do you know, and we would also then be bringing in the renewal.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So you obviously explained that. So we knew, and even the vendor knew, that us selling this property within 90 days was almost not going to happen.
Speaker 1:Correct. So you pre-framed that. So in Queensland we have an appointment, a Form 6, which is an appointment of an agent, and that is for 90 days. So after the 90 days there's an ability to re-sign for an additional exclusive period. Yeah, so what Marcus is saying is that ultimately, there was no guarantee that in 90 days a deal would be done, which seems almost unfathomable nowadays.
Speaker 2:Nowadays, and you know selling a house these days as well, like a lot of agents sell a home now. As soon as the contract's signed, they put it on the board. Obviously, acquiring finance during those times was exceptionally difficult, so you would.
Speaker 1:Until the dollars were in the bank. Right, yeah, correct, and again it shows my age.
Speaker 2:You would, literally as soon as you'd hear that fax machine starting up and your deal was due to go unconditional, you'd hear the turbines turning. That's classic, you would just hope that the letterhead was approved.
Speaker 1:Far out. I love that. That's so funny.
Speaker 2:Otherwise there was no petrol for the car. But it was a challenging time, and not just in the capacity of selling homes but managing vendors' emotions.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and look, you know, I mean we always say this. You know it's such a heightened time I mean I can't. You know, I can't even think of a client that's having you know the time of their life during a sales campaign. Like it's just impossible. I can't imagine back then and you know to really think about in the GFC what your clients were going through.
Speaker 2:Well, you've got to remember no one selling in the GFC. This was the problem. Right Correct Was selling because they wanted to sell, that's right.
Speaker 2:It was no secret that the market was terrible, right. So anyone that was selling their home had to sell it right. But then they were governed by what they owed on it, correct. So they wouldn't say you wouldn't say to them what would you like? They would say that we need X to pay the bank out. So it was a really challenging time and you know you walk in and you could relate to family with kids and things like that. So it was a tough time but you know it really prepared me for now.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:So then you look at the deals where you perceive them to be hard at the moment and they're a walk in the park, to be frank.
Speaker 1:It's incredible and to have people of your experience you know I've had Grant Smith on from Century 21, who's you know a 25-year veteran here on the coast Fantastic, and you know he says the same. You know about that time. He actually bought the business the day before his 21st birthday and hit GFC was sort of year one Baptism of fire Like it was a wild ride.
Speaker 2:And for the agents that were able to hang in there right and that was the critical part the ride through the cycle I take my hat off to them because it was a challenging time.
Speaker 1:What do you think it was within them that kept them going, or that they're still there now?
Speaker 2:I think it was just the ability that they saw. Everyone knew that it was going to end. Sure, there was a light at the end of the very long tunnel and I guess no one perceived that things on the coast were going to be slow for so long. Right, but again, if you look at the operators that traded through that, like your Grant Smiths and Jodie Headley-Ward and the key operators on the such and such, that's why they've got such good businesses.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's exactly right, because they've become so resilient. Resilient is absolutely the word, isn't it? And adaptability as well.
Speaker 2:And then you look at it. If we pass in an auction, if we have a deal, fall over Jodie. You just look at her personality. That's okay, we'll get her to sell it.
Speaker 1:That's right, You're just there back up ready, it's not like the world's coming to an end.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but listen that was the key, I guess. Like I said, I'm very grateful to go through those times because you know they're so grateful of these markets right.
Speaker 1:So you're back so.
Speaker 2:GFC, you're back on the coast. I was working for Amber Worshaw.
Speaker 1:Yeah, amazing.
Speaker 2:Who's a great operator. I take my hat off to her.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:I guess a Jodie to you right. Yeah, perfect, I learnt a lot about the industry, she really took me under her wing Again same thing, I was young. Yes. And there was a lot of resilience to let me in the door and she would kick the door down.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, amazing, amazing. So she was great like that, a real pioneer Totally. We have so many on the coast, which is so amazing, so many.
Speaker 2:And you know, like any time I was stuck with dialogue or any of that, she was always there to help. Amazing, and we've still got a great relationship. And running just an absolutely incredible business on the coast Juggernaut, yeah, juggernaut, yeah, amazing thing she's got, because through that GFC period, you know, I remember I sold a house one day. The gentleman who was the seller was a security guard at Fridays.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we know it.
Speaker 2:For those who don't know, you know, and I went and got the contract signed off at midnight. Yeah, ellie was at work. Yeah. And then I text her at midnight saying deal done. She rung me.
Speaker 1:Amazing, she was awake on the computer.
Speaker 2:So, this is the thing about real estate right. Everyone perceives what the industry is like on the front, but behind it's an emotional rollercoaster.
Speaker 1:Look, you know it's no accident this podcast series is called Beyond the Signboard. You know, I know we're going to delve into that a little bit deeper. Funny, you say about Fridays we're just talking about just recently, about, you know, those days where we'd sort of party. You know, pre-social media, and actually I was talking with Grant about getting photos developed from those wild nights. Many a fun time. Look, the Sunshine Coast is just an amazing place to grow up. So fast forward to now in 2024. And where does that find you?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So when I finished, I guess, going through the residential real estate sales, I was lucky enough to be working for a few clients that got heavily involved in off the plan right.
Speaker 2:And that's where my business really went out of the generic mum and dad real estate and houses selling to off the plan. And I found a passion for it, a love for it, more so, just, I guess, learning a new skill set. Yeah, always evolving the detail. And you know, if you ever are not learning in any capacity, it's where you lose interest. Right, correct. And I just fell in love with the fact that we could sell something that wasn't built. Yes, but it was a matter of making sure I knew what I was doing. Yeah, so I got into Off the Plan with. It was my first role with Aria, who were a key developer on the Sunshine Coast. Again, really, really rich story in the sense of it's done a lot for the Sunshine Coast role. Yeah, so started there and then it just went from there, so delivering projects on the Sunshine Coast, and then I've always had that connection to auctions as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and look, what I love about Off the Plan is that you've always been able to envisage what's ahead and I think a lot of people can't. So it's really sharing the story, isn't it? Building that experience, but also having demonstrated runs on the board to showcase that that has occurred and what's possible. But also, I guess, selling the sizzle of people, having know people, having something that's brand new, cutting edge. You know, I've seen so many projects that you've worked on and you're always pushing and innovating.
Speaker 2:Correct and listen. You've got to believe in the product, Of course. So when you're looking to take on a new project for a developer, you've just got to make sure that it's a product that you're going to walk them through in 18 months. Yeah, and not only is it what you've promised, but you honestly believe that the product is the best outcome for them.
Speaker 1:Yeah, amazing, and the location right yeah.
Speaker 2:And, like I said, I've been so lucky to be involved in so many marquee projects on the Sunshine Coast that I'll it might sound corny, but I drive past and even though I'm such a small cog in the wheel of the sale, I can say to my kids.
Speaker 3:You know I sold that. That was a block of land.
Speaker 2:And then I've got a relationship with 36 owners in there that. I've built a relationship with over 18 months, so I love that connecting with them and delivering them a product and then walking them through at the end it's yeah, I can't imagine that there's a better feeling than handing the keys over.
Speaker 1:Are you sort of at that stage with the purchases? You're sort of able to be there. I'm from A to Z. Yeah, amazing, so we go all the way.
Speaker 2:And I guess that stems back to when we talk about the GFC and riding that rollercoaster. Yes, there's a lot of emotions. They're obviously selling their home to then transition into the unit, in most cases some holiday apartments, so it's a big step for people. Of course, and you've got to obviously guide them through that and you know, it's probably.
Speaker 1:I'm just going to take a guess here I'm probably 800, 900 units now. Yeah, it's amazing. So it's a lot of stock. And you know what, knowing you as well as I do, you know every one of those people would hold a special place in your heart. You're a natural nurturer and I know when we've worked together, you know in some, you know difficult circumstances. You know you're just so warm hearted and we'll chat through your auction. You know process and journey, but you know what stands out for me always is how kind you are to my clients.
Speaker 2:It's just the most beautiful complimentary service for what we offer. Yeah, and listen, it's just as I say to everyone if you just be yourself, business comes right. Yeah, and I think this is something you and I share alike. My biggest success is repeat business, Absolutely. So you know everyone's got a different skill set of what they're good at Mine would just be repeat business, Absolutely. So you know, everyone's got a different skill set of what they're good at. Mine would just be repeat business. Absolutely so.
Speaker 2:I'll get a phone call saying Marcus Peter's looking to move to a unit. What have you got?
Speaker 1:Yeah, right.
Speaker 2:And there's no questions asked.
Speaker 1:And same with developers as well. That would be the same. They would know that you are there A to Z. You do what you say you're going to do.
Speaker 2:And that's the thing, the developers that I have then developed for. You know, and in a non-arrogant way, I've not applied for the role. Yeah. So they have called me and say you've delivered this in this capacity. Can you come and help us out? So, like I said, it's been a great journey in the sense of dealing with these owners and working with them and, yeah, it's a beautiful process.
Speaker 1:So good, so you're off the plan. We're going to sort of chat through Like what does a day in the life look like for Marcus Muir?
Speaker 2:The day in the life of Marcus Muir. Well, listen, off the plan. I guess the tricky part is you've got a number of projects at all different stages. Sure, we could be standing on a block of land with grass coming up to my kneecaps and I'm telling people that they'll have beautiful views and they'll enjoy their lounge room, and we're staring at a plant. So there'll be those conversations of really planting a picture of.
Speaker 2:Yeah, hard hat on vest on and asking them to basically entrust in me for the next two years that we are going to deliver Sure and not to segue off topic, but the construction industry is a very, very minefield at the moment right.
Speaker 1:I think it's a great segue and I think, like honestly, I would imagine that every listener and viewer is chomping at the bit to ask that and obviously you know time will change and you know when people are listening to this. Things may have varied, but I think it's a really fair call.
Speaker 2:The challenges in the build industry are rife. Sure, and that's just me being brutally honest. Obviously, you get people that will say, oh, it's okay, no, it's simply not. The supply has eased, so getting the material is okay, but the sheer lack of trade, especially for the Sunshine Coast, this region is growing at a rate that no one can keep up with.
Speaker 1:Absolutely Everyone finally knows what we knew a long time ago.
Speaker 2:And you know it's no secret Drive from Oceanic to Point Cartwright and look at how many houses are under construction, correct, right, and you go to Aura, you go to Harmony, then you go to your medium density projects renderers, painters then you go to your medium density projects renderers, painters, builders. So we've obviously had a and it's a very sad play.
Speaker 2:A lot of builders go bankrupt right so that's wiped out a majority of the players in the field. So we've got such a small pool of builders with the capacity to deliver Sure, and their number one problem is trades, of course, the volume of bodies right.
Speaker 1:Yes, that's right Weather.
Speaker 2:Weather Not going to lie. We had 60-plus days of rain and the other thing we've got on the coast, amy, and you've got a big rental division here. You know it's not cheap to live here anymore, correct? So a painter and a renderer and a carpenter and a tiler used to go. We'll live on the Sunshine Coast. We'll pay $400 a week. There's enough work there. Now they're going. It's going to cost us $800 to rent a four-bedroom home.
Speaker 2:Move the family. It's too expensive, correct. Yeah. So it's a tough time and again, that's why you know you've got to make sure you're working for brands that have a rich history within the area and region. Brands that have a rich history within the area and region Correct, they've got the ability and the relationships with builders to complete.
Speaker 1:And that trade network is so vital, isn't it?
Speaker 2:Oh, it's critical, Absolutely, absolutely critical.
Speaker 1:In. You know very much in, always in my role yours. You know my husband's a painter. I know exactly what his pipeline of work is and, gosh, he could work seven days a week for the rest of his life. Correct, no problem. But ultimately, yeah, it's about so many different factors. So how do you instill that confidence in your clients?
Speaker 2:Listen, it all basically comes from the fact that how I made the decision to be where I am Sure, do you know, and like I said to you, a lot of our referred business, so you know I try to instil them that, guys, I wouldn't be here selling this or pushing this product if I was worried or had any hint of concern. Now, I can never give guarantees.
Speaker 1:Of course, nor can any of us.
Speaker 2:I mean the last few years you know, life's changed, but what we can do is give a solid advice on how we do our due diligence to make these decisions. Yeah, amazing.
Speaker 1:Demonstrated case studies and results. I mean that, ultimately, is what people put their faith in and track record Absolutely.
Speaker 2:And that's my number. One thing is I send them past the last four buildings Perfect and say go, have a look. Here's three or four numbers. Talk to the clients, tell them what the communication was like. Speak, have a look. Here's three or four numbers. Talk to the clients, tell them what the communication was like. Speak to them about the finished product. Ask them what I promised them at the start, to what we've delivered, you know. And we'll just go randomly knock on one of their doors.
Speaker 1:Yeah, amazing, I love that and I think that's the thing. You know. It's interesting. You said about not being arrogant before, but you, you deserve to have confidence in your career. You know, like you said, there's a lot of you know a lot of things you've had to overcome and it's it's a journey and you know that that's incredible and that's the whole premise of this podcast is we don't give the opportunity to delve into that story a little bit deeper. You know, I know we spoke off air about. You know, success certainly looks different to the hard work behind the scenes and you know, I think that's a societal thing, isn't it? You know, you know, you see the little duck. You know, skimming along the lake and all of the paddling underneath.
Speaker 2:And in our world and for those that are listening, I guess, and especially in this space, they could probably relate that the challenges when I started in Off the Plan right were sales. You would sit there and you would say right, it's a $50 million project, we need 50% in pre-sales to get the project started. There's 50 builders that want to build it. The builder's not the issue, right. Yes.
Speaker 2:So we've got to find $25 million worth of sales to get this project out of the ground. And that was you would be absolutely peddling right. The developer was settling on the land, he was paying interest. He'd have so much invested in renders and marketing and overheads. You're pushing for the sales Now. That's completely backflipped.
Speaker 1:Is that interesting Sales are there. There's people ready to go, ready to go.
Speaker 2:You've got to find a builder. Yeah, okay. Right. So it's amazing, and that's where you've always got to be adapting in this industry.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:I saw a quote last night, a Charles Darwin quote, about that that you know, adaptability really is the only way we survive, agreed, and if you're not growing your skillset and learning. And again, one thing, like David and Jodie always says, I ask so many questions and it's purely on the basis. I always want to be learning.
Speaker 1:Absolutely Look every single person. You know like even before you just met one of our team members and you had like a sixth degree of separation with them, like four doors down in Melbourne. You know like it's if we stop and take the time to listen to each other, like you said, ask the questions, to genuinely be interested, and I think that's the magic that we have on the Sunshine Coast.
Speaker 2:Correct.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's, it's, it's magic, like it genuinely is. It's indescribable to have such an incredible community and for us to represent the sale of it ultimately, in whatever you know capacity. Let's chat about auctions.
Speaker 2:Auctions Love them.
Speaker 1:Yeah, auction superstar.
Speaker 2:It all started many, many moons ago. Obviously, when I was an agent, I would auction property.
Speaker 1:Ever. Auction your own sale.
Speaker 2:No, Okay, but I've auctioned a lot of my own houses. I get too emotional. I've brought, I've brought I think I've brought three-odd auctions. I've sold four auctions. So I believe in process right. Yeah, so I was. I was an agent and I just remember. Every time watching Jason Andrews you know who's now I see the CEO and Chief Auctioneer of McGrath, I mean Ray White. I would see him call these auctions and just be bewildered by the flow and the dialogue and the crisp finish and negotiation. Theatre isn't it Theatre. You're right, that's the great word.
Speaker 2:And you love everything about the process and not just the showmanship of what he did, even though he was phenomenal. I would also obviously have the luxury of dealing with him behind the scenes and listening to the benefits of the process for the seller right. And if you genuinely understand the process and that it's the best thing to maximise the return and educate your client on exactly what market value is and all of those things, you start to form a true passion and connection and, yeah, I just loved it. So I trained with him and the likes of Gordon McDonald, who's a really good friend of mine as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we love Gordon and I've just loved it ever since. All right, so I just want to go deep on auctions because, gosh, it's just something that, like it's a love it or hate it isn't it Like buyers love it or hate it, sellers love it or hate it.
Speaker 1:But like that's what the podcast is about is about like let's get in and really talk about it. Like why are people afraid you know we talk about in rooms in the property. Like I think let's just tackle the big one. Like why do you always hear objections from sellers? Like I know what I hear, but love from your perspective.
Speaker 2:So listen, there's no better way to give yourself goosebumps, especially as an agent. Like the amount of auctioneer I'm okay, but I remember being an agent on auction day. It was like running onto a football field the butterflies, like you said. There's one way to keep you up at night and that's going to auction? Yeah, absolutely. But once you sell that property under the hammer, there's no other way to replicate that feeling Correct. Right Like you, and I celebrated with a couple in Maroochydore. Yes, that was the most spectacular day ever.
Speaker 1:We had the best afternoon, didn't we? Beautiful family, really magic story, really longevity in the property, and it was a pivotal moment.
Speaker 2:But let's talk about why we auctioned that right, and you want to go deep on that?
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2:So we auctioned that purely on the fact that that was a very hard house to price. Yeah, absolutely, it needed work. It was in a great location. There was value proposition there for a renovator build to a knockdown to someone who just wanted to tart the kitchen up. So it was a vast array of buyers that that could appeal to. Yeah. So we were sitting there going well, what's it worth? And that's where I guess we've got to take a step back and go. Well, who's it worth?
Speaker 2:And that's where I guess we've got to take a step back and go well, who are we to put a number on it? Great point, absolutely. You know, we think we know it and we can go off comparable sales and they're all well and good. But when something's you know, unique in that model, I feel, how do we arrive at a number that, knowing then that people are just going to obviously negotiate down, people don't negotiate up? At a number that, knowing then that people are just going to obviously negotiate down, people don't negotiate up? Correct, great point. So we took the price away and then we were able to literally deliver accurate feedback to our seller. Absolutely.
Speaker 2:We exhausted the market Four-week campaign.
Speaker 1:I think we had everybody from Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast, not only throughout the campaign but also at the auction. It was a very full backyard, wasn't it?
Speaker 2:It was a very full backyard, wasn't it? It was? And listen, we did an auction three weeks ago. The vendors this was another auction we've done Again the vendors were happy to list the property at 950. That was their magic number, and the agent convinced them to take the price away purely on the fact she said, listen, there's really no stock on the market. I think it'd be great not to cap ourself.
Speaker 1:And I think we probably just explained in Queensland that we aren't able to put a price guide with auctions Correct, so very different to our counterparts, other states, where we can't give a range, we can't talk price.
Speaker 2:We can give comparable sales, but that's as far as we can go.
Speaker 1:So what we've done in that case is price is out of the equation, but time is on the table, so we have a dedicated timeline that people need to adhere to.
Speaker 2:So, for example, that couple would have been, that family would have been happy $950,000, which it would have sold first weekend. Right, Everyone would have been happy. We ran the four-week campaign. We sold over $ 1.1. Sure.
Speaker 1:Right, big difference $150,000. That's life-changing.
Speaker 2:Exactly my words Life-changing.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:So we look at that and we say those numbers that we achieve, right, that changes someone's life and all we have to do as an agent is what? Be patient.
Speaker 1:Correct, that's right, that's it.
Speaker 2:Just got to be patient and trust the process.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. It's not about you, and I think that's you know like. This is about your clients. It's about getting them the best result.
Speaker 2:And I always tell the agents and tell the sellers. The worst thing that can happen is we pass it in.
Speaker 1:Let's talk about that Like that's, that's, that's the but, that's the fear, isn't it?
Speaker 2:And that's the fear, and everyone has a fear of rejection in every capacity of their life right. Totally, of course, yeah, From finding a date to everything right.
Speaker 1:Absolutely Someone hanging up on you and We've had a few of those, haven't we? Yeah, we have, and you know what?
Speaker 2:I say to people that there's obviously big things that happen in everyone's lives, as we were talking about earlier, that are quite important and sad, and all the rest of it. So, if the worst thing that happens to you is, I go well, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to pass today's property in. We will have a price on it very shortly. Come and speak to me, amy Bennett. That's the worst outcome that can happen, absolutely what. Is it not worth taking the risk?
Speaker 1:Absolutely. I love that so important and I think, yeah, ultimately. So this is why we want to do this education piece because, ultimately, rather than having that, you know, it's really I find like a lot of that's barbecue chatter, isn't it? That's like, oh, such and such, you know they went to auction and there was a hundred people in the front yard and you know it didn't happen. Now, you know, we always say with you, marcus, it doesn't matter if you know the property is passed in, like it is a very important process and part of the sale.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and it's funny. You know, a lot of the barbecue chat does happen right. Like, oh, it didn't sell. But what they don't do is then say next week oh, it ended up selling. Yes, and they don't know the back story, and you know, nor do they say the house has been listed for $2 million. It's been on the market for 365 days.
Speaker 1:Correct. We always lie. Well, we've said that, haven't we? Like? That's the story we tell, isn't it? You know there's no B reels.
Speaker 2:And the other reason I love auction, especially in this market, is it fast-tracks our process, in the sense that we can sell prior to auction. Sure, absolutely. Jodie Headley-Ward in heavy water in your office is like the queen of salt prior.
Speaker 1:Not necessarily by choice is it no. But that's what market we're in especially. She finds the buyer Absolutely.
Speaker 2:You know, I think, the one we've just sold prior in Shelley Beach. She found the buyer in three weeks and she shut it down.
Speaker 1:They wanted it straight away.
Speaker 2:She said listen, that's the number, we're happy let's sell it.
Speaker 1:So you've got the ability to control the narrative as opposed to just having the price Absolutely, and I think also that allows people that do have conditions like let's chat through. So to you know, we use a bit of your spiel in auction dialogue, so with regards to somebody putting in an offer, bidding, so what does that look like? And this is Queensland, obviously based.
Speaker 2:And this is where I feel that again, it's such a strong advantage for our vendor, which is our seller. So anyone that registers in the state of Queensland is cash unconditional. So that means no building and pest, no finance, no cooling off period. So what they do bid is what they pay.
Speaker 1:Sold sticker up that day.
Speaker 2:Correct If they get carried away and they ring you in the morning and say hey, amy, I've got a bit trigger happy with the paddle I yesterday. Too bad, any chance you can put it back to the market? No period. That's right.
Speaker 2:So again, your seller can wake up, go for a coffee in the morning, know the house is sold, it's sold. Then that gives them the ability to move on with their life and either buy the next property and go hey, I've got a cash contract on my property, absolutely, really advantageous, isn't it for them to have that? Totally so. So we, you know, I just see so many strengths and and this is something that I wouldn't do and wouldn't endorse if I didn't see a benefit of it?
Speaker 1:oh, absolutely, you just like yeah, you just said you've auctioned your own properties, you've bought at auction absolutely.
Speaker 2:And, and you know, let's talk about the last property I brought. Yes, you know, did I get on the drive there with my wife? We discussed a number? Yeah, did I far outblow that number?
Speaker 1:Yes, I spent way too much money right, you didn't put your hands down Now would the agent have got that out of me by privately negotiating?
Speaker 2:No?
Speaker 1:So what's that? What is that feeling Like why? Why did you push? Is it the competition? Is it the feeling? Were you at the property when you bid?
Speaker 2:Yeah, we were there, we were live. How many other bidders? There was four, All face-to-face, All face-to-face. Yeah, all face-to-face. My wife was clutching. Well, Couldn't lose, could you? It was heated At one stage. There it was. You know it was heated and you know, like you start thinking of everything, you start thinking right, my kids really want it. I can see it working. It's close to their school there at Sunshine Coast Grammar. So it's close to the schools. We really want it. It's exciting. Every adrenaline-based emotion that you want for someone who's buying an auction. I felt.
Speaker 2:Yeah, there you go and I have to admit then you know I was bidding hard and fast and I brought it. And did I have a bit of buyer remorse? Yeah, absolutely, but it was good for me to go through the process right. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:And yeah, competition was hot, Yep you could see them and I think that's look, that's something. It was transparent. Exactly, that's exactly right, there is no and I think that, look, you know, we don't even need to talk about the perception of our industry. But you know, certainly you know, I sometimes get pushed back in a multiple offer where people genuinely believe there's no one else there, you know.
Speaker 2:Well, how many times have we said have you heard? You know, you know there is someone else.
Speaker 1:And then the buyer says but is there really that's exactly right?
Speaker 2:You can't blame a buyer for asking the question, of course, although we are regulated to sign multiple offer forms. However, seeing that the real in the front yard, With their kids. Other buyers with their kids. So it was very competitive. I'm a competitive person. I do like to win, yes, so watching that all unfold was a great experience, and you know that Vendor was able to move on. I was happy, so everyone's a winner, you know.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, and I think ultimately that's what our role is, isn't it? It's to bring two parties together to both feel that they've had a win, and they rightfully deserve that as well. You know, ultimately that's longevity in business. That's how business is done on the Sunshine Coast. You know I'm really interested with the auction process. You know John McGrath. You know he recounts his story and I think of it so often which was, you know, a mum, and it's one of the only, you know, major complaints that John had had was that, you know, the mum's kids had gone to school. They'd, you know, taken the ad or the brochure of the property and said this is where we're going to live and unfortunately they were outbid at auction. And you know like John's heart and soul in sharing that story. But it does get down to it. That's bloody hard, isn't it, to get in the car and the girls you're like, oh no, that's not.
Speaker 2:It's tough. Well, you know, I missed out on two or three auctions and I was more scared of getting back in the car with my wife. I used to stay at the auction as long as I could, afterwards saying to the agent have you rung the neighbours?
Speaker 1:Is there anyone else.
Speaker 2:I've got to find something else pretty damn quickly. So you know, and the disappointment of missing out on auction right was very disappointing, so you would almost go harder at the next one.
Speaker 1:You get stronger in your buying approach A hundred percent.
Speaker 2:So, but you know what? I also look at the buying capacity. Let's not just talk about that in the vendor's sense. Yes, great for closure, great to maximise the price, but I still think there's huge opportunity for a buyer to bid at auction.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely, let's chat about that, let's roll reverse right. Absolutely chat about that. It's role reverse right.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. I get a lot of mates call me and I've got a mate call me last week and say I'm going to bid on a place in Brisbane. What would you recommend? Is it best I just wait and leave it? I said not at all. I said register. If you're the only registered bidder there, you're controlling the process, absolutely.
Speaker 1:Don't miss the opportunity.
Speaker 2:Absolutely Negotiate and say I'm the only cash buyer here, yes, so this is what I'm prepared to pay. We can make it happen under the hammer right now. Otherwise I'm more than happy just to get in the car and go to the next one. So you also control a lot of the power as the buyer as well. Yeah, great advice. So I think that buyers who go I don't want to bid at auction. I can't understand why.
Speaker 1:And I think it's probably lack of information, isn't it? Do you think that they like? That's awesome. You just made me think. Have you seen some crazy stuff happen with buyers, Like at a charity auction? I stupidly put my hand up to get a drink from the waiter and I bid $6,000 at a charity auction on God knows what I still don't know. Thank gosh, someone else put their hand up. Oh, thank God, but I, literally I have to put my hands under my legs because, yeah, oh listen, there's some.
Speaker 2:You know we've had some doozies and probably, you know, just thinking now you know, oh well, I think it was one in Brisbane. I, you know, off the top of my head, the reserve was 1.2, and I went over to this gentleman and he said he was really nervous. And I said to him he said what's your advice? And I said, mate, my advice is just come out as strong as you can. Whatever?
Speaker 2:you're prepared to pay. You know, I can't obviously tell you the numbers, but I'm just the auctioneer. Just come out and bid bold and try to knock your opposition out of the water.
Speaker 2:And we had about three other registered bidders and the agent said to me reserves 1-2,. Feedback's been around that 1-150 to 1-250. So if we can get somewhere in that vicinity, the sellers are really, really happy. I said fantastic. I said if no one bids, I'll obviously start it around that 1-1 and see if we can work up. And this gentleman was pacing around I could see he was ready to pounce. And I thought I was pacing around. I could see he was ready to pounce and I thought I wonder if he's going to sit back and not do anything or he's going to take my advice.
Speaker 2:Always a 50-50. I love that, anyway. So I've done the preamble and he's pacing. I said, well, ladies and gentlemen, opening bid to get us underway. And he's no word of a lie. In about 0.25 of a second, put his hand up, got 1.5 million. And the agent's looking at me, I'm looking at the agent, it's live.
Speaker 1:Folks, it's live, it's live.
Speaker 2:Well, ladies and gentlemen, we're on the market, we're absolutely playing, anyway. So we sold it for 1.5. Far out. And you know the vendor's, I think, always falling out the window. I've walked over to him and he said, oh, thanks for the advice.
Speaker 1:Amazing, but over to him and he said oh, thanks for the advice.
Speaker 2:Amazing, but there's a million stories, like you know. We've got so many good stories of buyers bidding and having fun and you've got to make the process enjoyable.
Speaker 1:I tell you like I love nothing more. Not that I have time spare often on a Saturday, but I love nothing more than going to an auction. The biggest thing that we you know as agents all sort of chat about is the awkward stuff, totally.
Speaker 2:And listen. I say to everyone. People say to me do you ever get nervous or worried about the bidding sequence? And you know, five years of boarding school, I learned to count, so I was all right.
Speaker 3:So the bidding sequence is okay, the hardest auction is at a call when you've got no registered bidders. So people think it's awkward for the agent.
Speaker 2:As the auctioneer, you're standing in a room with complete dead silence, with probably 50 people with locked eyes waiting to see what you're going to say yes, yes, and you've got to make it sound good. So that's as an auctioneer. They're the hardest auctions to call Sure, and you've obviously got to make sure that you're representing the property and the seller in the right way. So they're tough, right, they are tough, awkward moments, but also I feel there's huge opportunity there too, absolutely For buyer and seller, look, you're on display.
Speaker 1:The audience, the people are there. Time is so, it's so precious. People are there for a reason, aren't they?
Speaker 2:They are. They're there to buy, and you know for the ones that are awkward and you know we may have conditional parties there. So what that means is people may need finance or they can't bid.
Speaker 1:They're hoping it doesn't go under the hammer.
Speaker 2:And so many times I've passed the property in and the agents called me 45 minutes later saying we've got multiple offers at X and 0, the seller's signed that one. It's a done deal, sure. So I think people have to give auction credit For the auctions that you drive away from thinking that was a flop. I would recheck the success rate post-auction.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2:So that four to five days post-auction is a huge success. So everyone puts a big emphasis on the day, which I think is a selfish way to look at it. Absolutely so everyone puts a big emphasis on the day, which I think is a selfish way to look at it Absolutely. We've got to let. It's a big day, right, and we often see just after auction the property sells.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely. I would just love to ask your thought for a buyer, that's you know feeling, all of those feels Would you recommend that they get an advocate to you know bid on their behalf? You know that's something I know that you've done before and certainly something that I advocate for.
Speaker 2:Totally Listen. I've had a few clients and I've done it for a few clients and I feel the ability to remove the emotion, if that's what you're concerned about. And that is usually what people are worried about paying too much right and getting caught up in the moment.
Speaker 1:So you think that's a number one fear for the buyer? Totally, is that not? So it's interesting because I wasn't sure if it was sort of public humiliation as well, like they'd do the wrong thing. Well, I think people are you?
Speaker 2:know, I think people's biggest fear is potentially. Where do I start? Again? I don't want to embarrass myself. Yeah, of course, let's say you're there to spend a million dollars on the property right. Where do I start? It Correct If I start at $800, is that too low?
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's right. Will people laugh? Yeah, disrespect the sellers.
Speaker 2:There's a million different thoughts. And again, when we know when there is pressure, you start to question everything. Yeah Right, it's just human nature, of course. So I think by having an advocate there that has no emotional connection to the property and is purely there, to achieve a great result. Again, do your due diligence, as long as they know what they're doing. Yeah, that's right, you know we have a number of buyers agents that now bid at our auctions. Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1:You'd see that quite often Correct.
Speaker 2:And I think there's value there totally. Like they lead with authority. Yes, I know when I'm negotiating with them, when. I pause. If we're not quite at reserve, they're going to be tough.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2:So yeah, I definitely see value, Awesome 100%.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think that's definitely something that I'd recommend. So, auctions, how many would you do a week?
Speaker 2:Well, I just do McGrath right, yes, and I like it purely based on the form that I've built such strong relationships with the agents right. So when you call me, or when Chris calls me, or Damien or Jodie or any of them call me, I know how they run their campaign Absolutely. Do you know what I mean?
Speaker 2:Yeah, for sure, and I know it might sound weird, but they've all got a style that like and. I know they like where they like me to start what their process with their vendor is, where they want me involved. Like Stewie, Thomas doesn't like any contact with these vendors. Someone like you loves to engage more, which is great, so I love that. And also it allows me to call, probably say you're calling two or three on a Saturday, right? You then have the ability to spend more time there.
Speaker 1:I think it's really important. That's something that we often speak about, isn't? It? Is that you, I mean there's no doubt that that makes such a difference, like there's nothing worse than watching an auctioneer reading the feature and benefits list when they've just literally, you know, came to a screeching halt rushing from another auction. Sweaty mess, queensland humidity is not fine on a Saturday, and the thing is if you're calling six or seven, this is not a shot at anyone doing it for you.
Speaker 2:This is purely on the fact of reality. You'll have to pull out of that driveway when you hit that 30-minute mark. That's right. You have to be on the way to the next one. Yeah, the soundtrack is getting busier, so traffic, et cetera. Also, it allows us to walk in and go. Hi, bev and John, we spoke on the phone Exactly. You know you've been selling with Amy, so there's the rapport there with the client, absolutely, which makes it easy.
Speaker 1:And you're always. I mean, you are, you know, an extension of the team. You know, you know what it's going to run. We're going to do a nighttime auction. You know the home really lends itself to that. Friday afternoon everyone's finished work. There's no competition with them having to race to 10 different open homes. Are they going to, you know, cross it off their list on a Saturday morning? But no, it's. How long have you had that role with McGrath now?
Speaker 2:Oh, it's been a long time, and the key to McGrath and where I see the value in McGrath as well is for a number of reasons. The McGrath thing started based on the fact of the relationships with a lot of the principals yeah, the new Damien and Chris and the team but we have a really expansive network, right, absolutely. So we're involved in a group chat from here down to New South Wales, to Victoria, with, say, 40 auctioneers.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so all the McGrath exclusive auctioneers Yep and we often catch up in the event of a Zoom or a group chat and you can really see what's happening in each market, in the cash market right, yeah great and so that's a really good feel for me If I'm seeing, you know New South Wales come off, or clearance rates drop in New South Wales. Or I'll say to the guys who's the buyer? Are you seeing owner occupiers? Are you seeing this or what's this? So I'm gathering so much IP.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you love to know what that appetite of the cash market is.
Speaker 2:Totally, yeah, absolutely, of the cash market is Totally, yeah, absolutely, and it's genuinely rule of thumb a flow and effect of what Queensland's going to get.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely for sure, and you would have seen that year on year, year on year.
Speaker 2:So I love that Also. Just great people, absolutely Right. The auctioneers they're good, they're funny. There's banter, Of which you're number one. Yeah.
Speaker 1:No, no competition mate.
Speaker 2:I can't share the group yeah, but it's a good group of guys. Any girls? Yes, awesome. I think there's two. Yeah, awesome. Who do a great job got a very loyal following team, great ability.
Speaker 1:Yeah, amazing.
Speaker 2:Again, that's the world we're in, right.
Speaker 1:Totally Well. Yeah, auction with Amy Pink Gavel, that's it.
Speaker 2:Watch this space. We'll see Watch this space One day hey. I'd love nothing more.
Speaker 1:Big shoes to fill, but I'm sure there'd be some pink heels, that's right. So we obviously both so passionate and love real estate and could talk forever. If not real estate, what else would you do?
Speaker 2:I would be boasting a Melbourne Demons jersey. Hey, yeah big AFL fan.
Speaker 1:Yeah, me too, and more particularly the Melbourne Demons.
Speaker 2:I'm a big AFL fan, and more particularly the Melbourne Demons. I've been a supporter since I was born, no way that's epic.
Speaker 1:Well, when I went to my first game with my dad. Family team.
Speaker 2:No, okay, my dad's a Swan. And South Melbourne.
Speaker 1:Yes, love those dim sims at the market.
Speaker 2:That's right. So we went to a game a brother and I, and it was Richmond Tigers versus the Melbourne Demons, and my dad said you can both pick a team. And we picked that game and we went there and my brother said I want to beat the Tigers and so I inherited Melbourne.
Speaker 1:Yeah well, you poor bugger.
Speaker 2:And the Demons like the GFC just were dragging on like a terrible, terrible. But it's like anything, you stick with them and we've got a flag right, well, good for you.
Speaker 1:So what I?
Speaker 2:would be doing is wearing the famous 33 Jeff Farmer the Wizards jersey kicking goals from the sideline.
Speaker 1:Well, fortunately for my family, I inherited a love for St Kilda Just as tough. Well, you've now inherited the longest drought I know, so Melbourne inherited that to St Kilda from oh, just as tough.
Speaker 2:Well, you've now inherited the longest drought.
Speaker 1:I know so Melbourne inherited that to St Kilda from premiership to premiership. Correct, so never, yeah, what are we? 1964? Or yeah, long before me, Look, we nearly made it 2009.
Speaker 2:Correct.
Speaker 1:Nearly made it in 2010. Yeah, rematch with Collingwood. Anyway, we both love our AFL. Correct, that is an awesome career that you would have chosen. Thankfully, you're successful in what you do now, thank goodness. I would imagine that you wouldn't get a chance to enjoy as much good food and wine and everything.
Speaker 2:No, but my dad's still based in Melbourne, so I always try to get down, at least see two or three games Nothing beats it.
Speaker 2:No, and listen. This is the beauty of the industry on the Sunshine Coast. Yeah. And we touched on before. I'm friends with a lot of different principals and a lot of different people on the coast and a lot have migrated from Victoria or down south at one stage of their life. Yes, so there's a very strong AFL following in the. Afl industry and me and a few other guys we go down and watch a game every now and then.
Speaker 1:It's fun, isn't it? What would you say? I love this question and I probably know where you're going to go with it, but what do you think is the biggest myth or misconception of the real estate industry?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so with me it's quite obviously segues in. It's quite an easy one and it's simply that people think it's easy, right? Absolutely. You know, we talk about the duck on the pond and the feet peddling. It's a bloody hard industry. Sure is. And when I talk hard again there's a misconception of I know that people listening would go. I'm a builder, absolutely. I bloody work builder. Absolutely. I bloody work hard. I swing a hammer for 12. You wouldn't last an hour in my shop. This is what people have literally said to me.
Speaker 1:Totally of course you wouldn't last an hour in my shop. Yeah, not saving lives.
Speaker 2:I get that, but with our role, the emotional aspect, you know you may have not been paid Like when I was working with Amber. I mean there's two months there I hadn't been paid up, brass razzle.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's right, that's zero in the bank, zero, zero, probably actually going backwards with marketing. I'm going backwards at a rapid rate.
Speaker 2:Like there was no, no, nothing on the horizon either. Right yeah, and the emotional toll that has on you of going rent fuel phone, all the outgoings of my normal life and I'm not selling anything. You start to doubt your ability Correct, you start to go. Should I even be in this industry? Can I cut it?
Speaker 1:Other things look a lot easier, don't they?
Speaker 2:And then the problem with that as well. You've got the general perception of people going oh mate, you're doing well with your real estate agent In the back of your head, you go. No, I'm not Like, I haven't been paid.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:This lease on this car is up, yeah, like your second-year apprentice builder's wage is more than I'm earning.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's right. Perception's everything, isn't it?
Speaker 2:People think it's a lot easier. It is very time-consuming. Yes, estimate, when we sign a listing and sell a vendor's house, right, that is their number one thing that they're going through. So they are calling, they are texting. And at any one time. How many listings do you have? At the moment Eight, so you've got eight vendors at any one time going. I wonder if anyone's inquired on my house. I wonder when the next inspection? What time's Amy here on Saturday? Should we get the lawns done Call. Amy.
Speaker 2:Should we get the lawns done? Call Amy. Should we do this? Call Amy. Has that buyer inquired again, the one you know, the couple you said from Melbourne. Are they still interested? Let's call Amy. So there's a lot going on.
Speaker 1:And let's also just add to that now. I mean this is you know the age we're in now, let's not just call, let's text, sms, whatsapp. You know, and and I'm always available. But you know, there's, oh the rule of thumb right.
Speaker 2:If it's after 8 pm, people will just text her.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 2:Don't worry about her trying to sleep and forget that. So that's my biggest thing is a lot of people, from an outside perception, say it's easy, and that's why, like I said, from my view is I look at the operators that have worked through different cycles and I take my hat off to them Absolutely. If you can have tenure in this industry, a full credit and you deserve every success.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely, I think that's so important and you know, obviously we saw a lot of people entering the industry. I'd suggest, you know, I mean I do joke about it, but I do say, like you know, my pugs, Freddie and Eddie, probably could have sold a house, Like I put them in front of a house. They're cute enough they get the deal done, you know stamping.
Speaker 1:you know the contract with their paws. But, in all seriousness, you're exactly right Taking orders. You know lines and streams of people wanting to purchase properties, but we are seeing an exodus in the industry. Oh and we will, we will.
Speaker 2:We'll see a lot of people go out of the industry, as we did the last time this happened, when things started to get tough and people couldn't manage cash flow.
Speaker 1:It's a huge factor, isn't?
Speaker 2:it Because you know let's talk about it. When you list a property say we go in and sign the form, we then organise photos, we then organise styling, we get it live. We do texts say we sell it in 30 days, three weeks. We then say 30 to 60 day settlement.
Speaker 1:Yep 90 days down the track.
Speaker 2:So I don't think people realise there's no pay till then Correct Right. So there's been.
Speaker 1:And there's probably sometimes outgoings as well. You know, oh, the outgoings don't stop. Yeah, A and Z don't go.
Speaker 2:I know you're an agent, it's all good. You just let me know when you're good to go. So you know there's a lot of emotions and you get to day 70 and the deal falls over. We spoke about a deal falling over. Today You're back to square one. So that's a tough pill to swallow and you know it's funny. You meet people who go. I'm thinking getting into real estate, because I've worked out that if I sell a million dollar house house, my commission's going to be $20,000. That's for a whole other day.
Speaker 1:Oh, I love it. What would you say to someone that's wanting to join the industry? Because I think you know that's a really great question. We get asked, you know, every day. Absolutely what would be your advice?
Speaker 2:First question I ask people is why?
Speaker 1:Cool.
Speaker 2:Awesome. I want to know from them why, like a lot of people ring me wanting to get off the plan, right? Because, that's fundamentally what I do and I say why Like? What do you? Because I'll always be straight and I'll always be honest, because I don't want to give people a misconception that what they're about to get into is going to be an overnight success.
Speaker 2:Because people will say to me oh, I can't believe you've got, you know, you've got a $200 million project in Pelican Waters and you're the only one selling it. It's like, yeah, but do you know how I got that? Yes, that's years of track record of grinding and work, but you don't say it. Yeah, of course, but again. So I ask why? And then if the reasons align with the industry. I say well, so let's say, for example, you're a slave. I think my genuine advice is to start how you started or I started Absolutely.
Speaker 2:If you think you're too big to sit at the front desk with no experience, well, you want to jump straight in the deep end. Prepare that you're probably a 75% chance of failing.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely, it's very much, isn't it the? You know, I always think of those little turtles, like you know, little cuties like how many of them make it out to sea.
Speaker 2:And you don't want to be a statistic, right?
Speaker 2:Of course You'll be tarnished by it, but you were able to have the ability of sitting there listening to all the sales guys on the phone, all the sales guys on the phone, all the PM girls watching two principals go through general business learn and learn, and learn and learn. And then, when you were at that stage where you go, hey, I've built a network, I've built a team, I've built relationships, I'm ready to take that step. And then people go geez, Amy, you're so lucky, it's all just worked for you. You just went into sales and your phone started ringing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but that's what I always tell people If you're prepared to get into sales, be patient, correct.
Speaker 1:And do it right. And I think also too, you know, probably you know the biggest thing I would add to that. And yeah, absolutely you know my role started as operations and marketing manager, but, like you said, that was on the front counter. That was, you know, like that was dealing with some bloody tough, you know tough conversations from day one and did that for four years. But I'd also say as well, don't give up.
Speaker 1:You know like so many people give up on this. You know that last step, don't they? Or they just can't see the greatness that they've put in place and what's ahead.
Speaker 2:And you can be so close. And I was talking to a young agent the other day and he rung me and he's been in it for four or five months and he had two sales and they both fell over right. And he said it's all too hard. And I said, mate, you are so close, you are down the aisle, you're literally about to touch the priestess there. She's there, you just hang in there right. And I said those two sales that fell over are going to be the best thing that's happened to your career. That fell over are going to be the best thing that's happened to your career.
Speaker 2:Yeah absolutely, because you now know it's tough to the end.
Speaker 1:Correct, that's right. Yeah, Until. Yeah, like I say, until the money's in the bank.
Speaker 2:And you know what we talk, about this industry being hard, but it also comes with a heap of upside.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. I think that's really let's not just dull down on how hard this is. We love it. We wouldn't do it if we didn't love it.
Speaker 2:Right, there's definitely times you and I could probably talk about it a million times. Where let's talk footy, you get the free kick right. You put the sign out the front, someone rings it and says what do they want? 700, we'll give them seven, yep.
Speaker 1:What yeah? It's your 1.5 auction guy, isn't it? Yeah, like you say, with hard work.
Speaker 2:With hard work, you've got to get the listing. And we wouldn't be doing this if it was always hard.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely Fair call.
Speaker 2:There are perks. It's exceptionally rewarding in the sense of watching people and watching others grow, helping them in the toughest time 100% Again.
Speaker 1:Like for us, it wasn't the salt sticker going up or the cracking the champagne and having it with those clients. It was just knowing genuinely that this was the right decision for their family and that they had, you know, an onward plan.
Speaker 2:Absolutely so. No, it's a great industry to be in and you just got to be patient. But again back to what I said misconception. It's just not easy.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely so. Let's put real estate aside and property there. It's just not easy. Yeah, absolutely so. Let's put real estate aside and property. There is life outside. There is. I would love to know if you could be anywhere or go on holidays anywhere in the world. Where's your favourite place to go?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm a big Queenstown fan.
Speaker 1:Okay, in winter.
Speaker 2:Anytime. Okay, that's the best thing about Queenstown right, okay, never been. Oh, you're kidding. No, you haven't lived.
Speaker 1:My parents live in Tassie, so it's almost well. Maybe not the same.
Speaker 2:It is just a place that continues to deliver. Yeah, it's got everything from great food to the ability to go bike riding, hiking, skiing.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:But in the summers the water's beautiful. Yeah, it's just got everything. Yeah amazing, and the people are beautiful.
Speaker 1:Would you live there.
Speaker 2:I would Okay, absolutely, and you know, for someone with kids or young kids, you'll get this. It's a two-and-a-half-hour, three-hour flight. Yeah, gotcha. The ability to get the kids through customs, which is enough to just stress you out right to then get on the yeah, beautiful and it's beautiful. Scenery, wines, foods, everything's great, Picturesque, yeah, it's just a beautiful, beautiful place. So I'm a big fan of Queenstown all year round.
Speaker 1:With Katie and the girls, with Katie and the girls. Yes, speaking of the girls, I want to know what was the best day of your life?
Speaker 2:Oh, exactly, very easy. It is my two daughters, so very lucky to have Lulu, who's three, and Eve, that's seven. Again so fortunate, beautiful girls, great feature to our lives. They add so much value in every way, shape and form, watching them evolve and grow, and they're both at grammar.
Speaker 1:I was just going to say, yeah, following in your footsteps.
Speaker 2:Oh listen, I hope they far out-.
Speaker 1:What do they love in life I?
Speaker 2:was actually worried about getting them into grammar. Well, I'm just going to fudge the application form. But listen, they're just so patient, right? This industry is taxing, yeah it is In relation to time, of course, right, so we work saturdays. We work long hours again. A lot of people can't see us till they get home from work. Dad's on the phone. Dad's on the phone right and in the car yeah, he's a killer, right yeah of course we're always getting fun, but just watching my girls go, no, subconsciously.
Speaker 2:When the phone rings, they go quiet. We take the call. Yeah, and that's not me being a hard-ass dad.
Speaker 1:No, no, no, I get it Absolutely. They just get it right. Business is business yeah.
Speaker 2:I'm so grateful that they do get it. I love spending time with them. My wife, Katie, obviously does a tremendous job with those two because they are busy.
Speaker 1:Super mum. She is very organised.
Speaker 2:Down to the T, loves every teen Yep.
Speaker 1:I don't know a super mum. That isn't what do the girls love.
Speaker 2:Listen, they love a bit of everything. But the good thing about the girls is they could be happy just going and watching a movie. Yeah, beautiful, as in at home. Yeah, you know on Friday afternoons we have movie night Beautiful, there's a bit of a reward after the end of school.
Speaker 1:Yeah awesome.
Speaker 2:The girls can pick a movie, great. And they know they're getting lollies and popcorn Beautiful. So that's a highlight.
Speaker 1:That's so good, so important, isn't it Like you can't do what we do without that? Totally? You just need that.
Speaker 2:If you're not taking a break and energising and really getting deep on what's important, real estate's always going to be there Totally, and I think you're really the same as me.
Speaker 1:We're both high-energy people. When we're on, we're on, and when we're on, we're on, on on. So what does off time look like for you? How do you unwind and self-care.
Speaker 2:So yeah, good question. So that'll actually happen tonight at 6.30 when Melbourne play Adelaide.
Speaker 1:Okay, lucky it's not St Kilda no.
Speaker 2:Listen, I can really switch off when it comes to, yes, family time but, I just enjoy putting a game of football on.
Speaker 1:Yeah awesome.
Speaker 2:It's one of those things for me that I'll lay in bed thinking about everything that we've got to do right and people have got to call and et cetera.
Speaker 2:When I just sit there and watch a game of footy, that's it. It's just, I think of nothing. It's just, I think of nothing. It's bliss. But also with the girls right, like I love nothing more than having them in the car talking, and the older the girls get, I guess, from a male's perspective, a lot of people love the baby stage. I'm loving this age, so good Magic. The general conversation just makes me laugh of what they've learned. So unwinding, we love the beach.
Speaker 1:Yeah, oh look, we're in nature in abundance.
Speaker 2:We love everything about that, but just generally spending time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like we say most precious thing we've got, and you know it's in those moments that's what matters ultimately, and you know I don't work Sundays period, so it's all family time.
Speaker 2:Sunday and I actually learned that from Grant Smith.
Speaker 2:Yeah, amazing, so I believe he's done a chat with you and Grant. Obviously your podcast will definitely not be as good as mine, but he's again just a great guy. But also I remember I was doing an appointment one day and I rung him and he said to me you need to be so much smarter with your time. I said why he goes. The buyer will be there tomorrow and he said I cannot. He the buyer will be there tomorrow and he said I cannot. He goes, mate, would your GP see you on Sunday? I said no. He said so why are you running around the countryside on a Sunday?
Speaker 2:Switch off spend it with your family and schedule it for Monday. And I thought to myself you know, he's so right, It'll all be there tomorrow.
Speaker 1:Words of wisdom and gosh, how many amazing people we can learn from Favourite food and drink. One of my favourite questions.
Speaker 2:Listen, I'm a pretty simple guy. I can't walk past the sushi. I'm a sushi guy.
Speaker 1:I was really surprised with that Favourite sushi on the coast.
Speaker 2:If you wander up right now to the sushi shop next to IGA on a first-name basis, that's your jam. Lesson yeah, I can walk in fresh rolled. What do you like? Again, I like to mix it up. I could either go a teriyaki chicken, I can go fresh salmon, I can go tuna. It just depends what mood.
Speaker 1:You'll take it all. Actually, we have met, haven't we over banh mi as well?
Speaker 2:I'm a mad banh mi man. We like a Vietnamese banh mi.
Speaker 1:And drink.
Speaker 2:And my wife always says to me I cannot believe, you cannot get, not get sick of it, yeah Same bloody thing and cold like sushi.
Speaker 1:I'm like oh, just sushi in summer, only for me.
Speaker 2:Just wheel in sushi any time. Drink-wise again, I'm a long black, long black. Again, I can order a long black at 40 degree heat, okay.
Speaker 1:Or I can have it in the cold, I'm just. Yeah, I'm a cold, cold coffee all the way, you are cold, yeah, yeah but we do like a yuzu spritz from White.
Speaker 2:Picket Fence? We do. We've had one today. I've been handsomely rewarded with one today.
Speaker 1:And to end our chat which, like I said, Marcus, we could talk for hours. I love that about this podcast is just in conversation. What's your favourite quote or motto that you live by?
Speaker 2:Favourite quote and motto listen, it's one that sounds easier than it is. And again, for those that are listening, to implement this start basic, right, it's how I did it. Have I at all succeeded in this? No, right, I try, yeah, and then try and try and try Right, and that's a whole. Other segue on this thing is that you know, as an agent, the biggest thing is showing vulnerability. Absolutely. Like we have to always presume and look like we've got everything under control, correct.
Speaker 1:There's a whole other Would you say tears into the pillow, tears into the pillow. I'll tell you what.
Speaker 2:And there's been a lot of times I've driven home radio off just thinking. But to answer your question, quote is just do what you say you're going to do, love it. So if you can get up in the morning and say, for example, I said I had a really good coffee this morning, and you say where, and I say I'll text you the address right Nine times out of 10, most people will just forget about it and you will text them saying hey, could you text me where you went to coffee? Yes, that's the problem. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Right. So if you just shoot and go hey, I'm in 22 Midgeton Street, Calandra, it's called White Picket Fence Bang Right Absolutely Then you implement that same thing on every capacity of your life.
Speaker 1:Personally, professionally.
Speaker 2:Personally, professionally. You'll be surprised at how well people respond to it.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, because that's the hardest thing, isn't it? A lot of people just don't follow through with what they say. They're going to do Bingo, that's it.
Speaker 2:And then there becomes the perception that if you weren't able to do that, you're not going to be able to do that, and that could be anything from executing a contract at $10 million, absolutely.
Speaker 1:That's exactly right so.
Speaker 2:I say start basic, yeah, but implement it in every like when you're going to turn the laptop off and go. I did say that I was going to email that lady, the CMA, on the rentals. But you know what, if you can't do it, just shoot them a message, Correct? Hey wasn't able to get to that CMA at 6 o'clock. I have to shoot. I'll. No one's going to buck up at that, absolutely, that's right, yeah, but the no communication.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 2:They will. So I just find, if you can in the back of your mind, if you can end your day and go, did? I do everything I said I was going to do.
Speaker 1:Yep.
Speaker 2:Happy days.
Speaker 1:Head on the pillow, no tears.
Speaker 2:No tears.
Speaker 1:Love it. Mr Marcus Muir, what an absolute honour to have you here. You are an absolute inspiration. There is no shadow of a doubt why you are the number one auctioneer with what you do, but in my eyes, just an absolute superhuman as a person and also as a professional.
Speaker 2:Absolute pleasure, Exciting times and again watching you grow.
Speaker 1:Thank you.
Speaker 2:You know where you've come from, from where you've started to now, makes the future look very, very exciting. So I think, the way you're going, I'll be having to line up to get on this podcast another three or four years.
Speaker 1:Hey mate, I'll have you back any time.
Speaker 2:No, it's been a pleasure and I hope you, as listeners, have enjoyed and follow Amy's journey, because you're in for a ride.
Speaker 1:Thanks, marcus, thanks. Thank you for listening to this episode of Beyond the signboard. We trust you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed making it for you. If there are any topics you want covered in the future, make sure you reach out and let us know. Also, feedback and suggestions are appreciated almost as much as like shares and downloads.