2017 Allhomes Rising Star Awards in real estate: Meet the winners, finalists

The inaugural Allhomes Rising Star Awards shine a light on some of the real estate industry’s best up-and-comers.

Our 2017 finalists in sales and property management have sold themselves as ones to watch.

They come from varied backgrounds and experiences yet, they all share one thing in common: a passion for their work.

The 11 real estate agents and five property managers have displayed a commitment to innovation, combining new technology with the tried and trusted methods of years gone by.

They’ve shown a dedication to their clients and a willingness to go above and beyond. They also share a sense of achievement, from standout sales to developing new skills and everything in between.

Applicants are emerging leaders between the ages of 18 and 30, or agents who have changed career paths later in life and have been working in the industry for less than two years.

While they may not have the experience of the industry’s heavyweights, they do have an edge and are destined for prosperous futures. In fact, they are already making their mark in the ACT and surrounding NSW region.

We’ve recognised two people with awards this year: the region’s top sales agent and standout property manager.

Sebastian Gutierrez, of Ray White Belconnen, is already making an impact in the world of sales, proving that hard work and passion create a winning combination.

“When I go into listing presentations, it’s my enthusiasm and energy that separates me from the rest,” he says. “Being from a South American background, we tend to be a little bit fiery and energetic, so I like to bring that to the table, to show my clients I’m not going to leave any stone unturned.”

Young gun Thomas Hathaway now runs his own business, Hathaway Real Estate, proving the property management pool isn’t short of emerging leaders.

“It’s certainly a challenging role; some days you’re a business development manager and other days you’re an accountant,” he says. “I’m passionate about people and what I do.”

Real estate sales

WINNER

Sebastian Gutierrez. Photo: Dion Georgopoulos

Sebastian Gutierrez

Ray White Belconnen

“My No. 1 goal in the industry is to not change who I am. Who I am is what got me here today.”

Sebastian Gutierrez relives the excitement of his first sale almost a year go like it was yesterday.

“I had multiple bidders, my vendor was really excited – when the gavel hit the wood, that feeling that I got was like an adrenaline hit,” he says.

“Now, I’m just constantly chasing that feeling.”

The rising star has gone from strength to strength, making a mark in Kaleen and the surrounding Belconnen region.

He says his South American background has infused a fiery energy that sets him apart from the competition.

“I like to bring that to the table, to show my clients I’m not going to leave any stone unturned,” he says. “I’ll get up on a Sunday, take calls at late hours of the night and make sure that I’m serving them to the best of my abilities.”

Gutierrez’s motto? “There’s not wrong; there’s different.”

“Everyone has different needs, and it’s up to you to be able to identify the needs or the differences and to be able to piece them together.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Rina Jones. Photo: Cassie Atkinson

Rina Jones

Belle Property Kingston

“That first sale feeling is absolutely unforgettable. I think I danced around the office for a good 10 minutes.”

Rina Jones’ passion for property comes from helping people get through “one of the most stressful times in their lives”.

She’s committed to going above and beyond for her clients, “whether it be helping move things around their house or setting up for photo shoots, or even just counselling them through something that’s hard and unfamiliar”.

“My No. 1 goal is to be able to look back in 10 years’ time and know that I’ve done everything possible to build a great reputation, a great network, and have a great customer base where not a single one of them can say I didn’t’ do everything to get the best result for them.”

FINALISTS

Jonathan Warren. Photo: Cassie Atkinson

Jonathan Warren

Independent Property Group Inner North and City

“I went through car sales, I went and sold mattresses, just to get that experience up.”

Many people doubted a young Jonathan Warren could find success in real estate. It’s safe to say he’s proved them wrong.

“I went through car sales, I went and sold mattresses, just to get that experience up,” he says. “Once I got that opportunity in real estate I was very excited. I haven’t looked back.”

Since then, Warren has achieved a suburb record in Weston, showing a knack for finding simple ways to add value to a home.

“It passed in at $1.02 million, so well above where everyone else predicted it would sell. We ended up negotiating … and sold it for $1,175,000.”

George Southwell. Photo: Cassie Atkinson

George Southwell

Ray White Rural Canberra/Yass

“It quite often involves … lending someone some chooks.”

Lending half a dozen lambs to a vendor for a property photo shoot isn’t an unusual task for George Southwell.

The young agent works in his family’s business, Ray White Rural Canberra/Yass.

His most memorable sale was the auction of a Southern Highlands winery.

“We got it across the line and sold it at auction for $4.85 million which was fantastic, being young in my career and handling it on my own,” he says.

Southwell hopes to continue growing the business, focusing on communication.

“I think it is important to carry those family values out into the workplace everyday.”

Michael Martin. Photo: Cassie Atkinson

Michael Martin

Luton Properties Tuggeranong

“Every day is so exciting. I always love to get out of my comfort zone.”

Michael Martin is rising through the real estate ranks, notching up sales and jumping head-first into auctioneering.

“I’m very passionate about my job,” he says. “In the next 10 years I see myself as a director. I really want to be one of the most recognised and best auctioneers in Canberra, and also one of the most recognised and best sales agents in Canberra as well.”

Martin’s most memorable sale was a Gordon property that was snapped up less than 24 hours after hitting the market.

“I always go above and beyond.”

Amy McMahon-Woods. Photo: Cassie Atkinson

Amy McMahon-Woods

“I’m very bubbly and I love to help people.”

Amy McMahon-Woods describes herself as a people person. So working in real estate was a natural fit.

“I’m very bubbly and I love to help people,” she says. “This way, I get to have happy customers at both ends of the table.”

Her most memorable auction was in Hackett, achieving a sale price $146,000 over reserve.

“There was more than one champagne shared that afternoon.”

Her ultimate goal? To manager other agents and help them achieve their professional dreams.

Rowan Glanville. Photo: Cassie Atkinson

Rowan Glanville

Peter Blackshaw Real Estate Woden and Weston Creek

“I see myself in 10 years time still working within the industry and definitely being a leader and assisting the newer generation coming through.”

Rowan Glanville isn’t one to boast about work but the young gun has notched up some memorable sales, including the former house of Wallabies great Stephen Moore.

“Knowing I’m changing people’s lives, from assisting them through the process from the very start to the finish of the transaction, that’s what I’m most passionate about,” he says.

“Having them recommend me to someone else is probably the most memorable part of the transaction.”

Karen Murphy. Photo: Supplied

Karen Murphy

Luton Properties Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley

“I feel as though I have the greatest job in the world.”

Karen Murphy loves the diversity that comes with real estate.

“Often when I’m driving to an appointment or putting out my open home signs, I feel a sense of exhilaration knowing that I’m in the perfect career for my particular skill set – and, especially, that I’m being of value to others by helping them to achieve great results and realise their dreams,” she says.

Murphy has moved into real estate after eight years as a finance broker and has used that knowledge to write a book about selling property.

Her most memorable sale was the auction of a house in Wanniassa. Not only did she help sell the vendors’ home, she also helped their children find rental properties.

“The entire experience went so well that we are now friends and continue to stay in touch.”

Michael Pead. Photo: Supplied

Michael Pead

Peter Blackshaw Real Estate Woden and Weston Creek

“I love to face new challenges and seek out new opportunities.”

Michael Pead landed a dream listing during his first year in real estate. He sold a house in Reid for $2.3 million, breaking the suburb’s sales record.

Big sales aside, Pead’s passion for property stems from working with people in the community he loves.

“You get to participate in some of the biggest decisions and moments of their lives, seeing the joy on a young family’s face as they secure their new home, or the satisfaction of a vendor whose financial future you have helped secure.”

James Carter. Photo: Supplied

James Carter

Luton Properties Canberra City

“I always strive to be an industry leader and innovator.”

James Carter’s first sale was nothing short of memorable.

“It was an auction and we managed to get the third-highest price for the suburb,” he says.

“It was that point when I became obsessed about getting great results and prices for my owners and also managing a great process.”

Since then, Carter has strived to be an innovative industry leader and currently heads Luton Properties Canberra City.

“People are a huge focus for me and I truly believe that without amazing support and great people you’re not going to be able to be successful.”

Nicholas Purnell. Photo: Supplied

Nicholas Purnell

Purnell Citywide

“I have a simple goal and that is to transform our agency into the best boutique agency in Canberra.”

Real estate runs in Nicholas Purnell’s blood, with both parents working in the property sector. The young gun has made his own mark, stepping up as sales manager of Purnell Citywide.

Purnell’s first sale cemented what he hopes will be a long and lustrous career. “I had a lot of market knowledge but felt I had to overcome the stigma that came with purchasing a property off a fresh-faced 18-year-old who had just finished school,” he says.

“When I did get my first sale it was a sense of excitement, naturally, but more so a sense of a beginning into a long career.”

Property management

WINNER

Thomas Hathaway. Photo: Cassie Atkinson

Thomas Hathaway

Hathaway Real Estate

“My number one goal is to grow into a big, multi-national real estate organisation.”

Thomas Hathaway isn’t afraid to dream big. The 29-year-old trailblazer has already opened his own business, Hathaway Real Estate.

“Being a new business, I am quite small at this stage, but my number one goal is to grow into a big, multi-national real estate organisation,” he says. “It’s going to take a lot of work but I hope I’ll get there.”

Hathaway has worked in real estate his entire adult life and is committed to going that extra mile.

He hasn’t shied away from a bit of elbow grease either, from cleaning a new tenant’s shower to making himself available outside typical business hours.

“Whether it be working on a property on a Saturday or a Sunday, or working until 7 o’clock at night, I’m very passionate about what I do,” he says.

“It’s certainly a challenging role. Some days you’re a business development manager and other days you’re an accountant, some days you’re a removalist as well.

“Every day is different.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED 

Hannah Reid. Photo: Cassie Atkinson

Hannah Reid

Badenoch Real Estate

“To be promoted to senior manager at Badenoch is a huge achievement for me.”

Hannah Reid is nothing short of persistent. She has been promoted to a senior property management position less than two years after stepping into the industry.

Reid says she is focused on providing a level of service that “other agencies don’t or won’t provide”.

“I always try and go above and beyond, if it’s coming in a little earlier to make sure that I’m getting back to all my owners the same day, helping my tenant out with cleaning at a final inspection, cleaning up after a possum that’s been trapped in a property,” she says.

“I love working in the industry so I just want to be the best that I can be as a property manager.”

FINALISTS

Kirsty Bohane Photo: Cassie Atkinson

Kirsty Bohane

Distinct Property Management

“I try and go above and beyond for all my clients.”

A few years ago Kirsty Bohane walked into an inspection to discover the property, leased by a 90-year-old war veteran, was “basically uninhabitable”.

“I didn’t have the heart to kick him out,” she says.

After four weeks on the phone she reached the head of Veterans Affairs NSW. The organisation assigned a cleaner, a win-win for the home’s owner and tenant.

Keen to upskill, Bohane has finished an accountancy course and is completing a diploma in leadership and management.

“It’s been great having the experience and getting the knowledge to teach what I’ve learned in my seven years of being a property manager to some of the younger staff members.”

Nicole Wright. Photo: Supplied

Nicole Wright

Peter Blackshaw Real Estate

“It’s more than just a job to me – it’s a passion.”

Nicole Wright always dreamed of a successful career in the city. 

Since joining Peter Blackshaw Real Estate 18 months ago, she has already been promoted.

“The position of a property manager is so fulfilling and, while at times it can be challenging, it’s more than just a job to me – it’s a passion,” she says.

Wright’s goal is to be a role model to her industry colleagues and burgeoning property managers.

“I want to show others that by going above and beyond for your customers and approaching the challenge from the right angle, you will deliver exceptional customer service and be rewarded by your role. I think the industry needs more young guns who model this type of service.”

Amanda King. Photo: Supplied

Amanda King

Distinct Property Management

“I find our industry as a whole fascinating and would like to be a part of building the future.”

Amanda King has two key goals: bringing property managers together and building a reputation of one of the city’s best.

She’s well on her way to achieving both.

King has established the Property Management Professionals Group and has worked hard to gain the trust of her clients and colleagues.

“I am working on my law degree at the moment and I would like to be trusted in the future to work on changes within the legislative framework,” she says. “I find our industry as a whole fascinating and would like to be a part of building the future.”