Meet Ada Taylor, a former nutritionist turned real estate agent

Senior agent Ada Taylor lived abroad for more than a decade but this nutritionist by training came home to Melbourne to indulge her passion for tennis, the leafy streets of Toorak and 1930s architecture.

Where did you grow up and go to school?

I’m a local Stonnington girl, grew up in Toorak and went to St Catherine’s. I’ve lived roughly in the same one square kilometre for much of my life, although I did live in the UK for 12 years and the States for three years.

Did you have a job while at school?

Family members owned Matchbox, back in the day, so I worked there at Christmas – I was like Santa’s little helper. I learnt I love dealing with people, even in the Christmas rush. One of the things I love about real estate is that it’s really high energy, I hate being quiet.

How did you find your way to real estate?

I’ve always had a really strong interest in design and architecture. One of my friends and I, we are habitual attendees at open for inspections. I started in retail and then went into academia in health – I’m a nutritionist by training. I worked as a clinical supervisor and lecturer where I trained in the UK. Unfortunately, I couldn’t pursue that in the States, so I went back to sales and renovating houses. I’d always maintained really strong ties in Melbourne and, when I came back, I asked people what I should do. Everyone said real estate.

What did your friends see in you that fitted real estate?

Just that I love dealing with people. Real estate is all about relationships and I am a good relationship builder.

How does your local knowledge help buyers?

There’s never a bad street! Apart from the years overseas, I’ve spent my whole life in Toorak and Stonnington. I know every street, every house and most of the people who live in the suburb. I get impassioned about the houses I sell. Homes have a story to tell.

What do you do during your time off?

In the past 12 months, I’ve become obsessed with tennis. I used to play at school and I picked up a racquet again a year ago. I’m a member at Royal South Yarra. I’ve been a member since 1994 but, before last year, I barely set foot in the clubhouse. Now I play Monday night, have coaching Tuesday and Thursday, and then Friday I play a colleague from Abercromby’s.

Do you like it as a stress reliever or because you are competitive?

I take the responsibility of real estate very heavily; the majority of the time we are dealing with someone’s greatest asset. Tennis has been a wonderful outlet for stress; it’s great physically, but also mentally. I read an article that said tennis, of all sports, increases life expectancy more than others.

Are you in your dream home?

I’m not, but I love the work of the 1930s architect Marcus Martin. I absolutely adore 1930s design as well as modernist style. I used to enjoy going to Palm Springs when I lived in the States.

What else are you up to in life?

I’m getting married in April at Royal South Yarra.

Is he into tennis or real estate?

Both; he’s a tennis player and a real estate agent. He’s played at Kooyong for 25 years. We’ve been friends for a long time but he won’t play me at tennis.