Wasting no time after our Easter break, we chat with Renee Ford, Lead Agent and Auctioneer at Class Real Estate, on the The Real Estate Life this week. Renee’s experience and personality combines that best of two worlds: a fierce negotiator determined to get her clients the best deal and a friendly voice to help guide her clients through the sales process with minimal stress. Renee’s love and passion for real estate shine throughout our chat and she has good reason to be proud of her career achievements thus far.
Where To Connect
Email: renee@classrealestate.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Renee-Ford-Class-Real-Estate/
Mobile: 0404 455 779
I started by asking Renee what accomplishment is she most proud of…..
I’m very proud to have recently been awarded the most recommended agent in Seven Hills and Cannon Hill, as well as the most recommended agency in Seven Hills, Cannon Hill and Morningside. It’s a blessing to have a career where you can help people on their journey to the next chapter of their lives and in return, have happy client’s willing to share their experience about working with you and your brand in the digital world. I’m also very proud to have been part of starting a boutique agency and fresh brand with my Principal and colleague, John Kubatov. We have a great team and have almost been up and running for 2 years. My colleague Jarrod Perry was awarded the most recommended agent in Morningside and he has only been in real estate for a year! Currently, Jarrod, John and myself are ranked numbers 1,2 and 3 as the best agents in Morningside. If you look at those results for a small boutique agency of only 3 agents until very recently, it’s a massive achievement and testament to everyone’s hard work and dedication to look after our clients and go above and beyond.
What’s your favourite real estate agent joke?
We always joke that we wish we bought shares in realestate.com.au
Tell us your favourite story of a sale you were involved with
My favourite recent story came about through a house I’ve just sold in Seven Hills. Besides having multiple offers in a very short time frame, the seller decided to accept an unconditional offer from a young couple buying their first home instead of a developer with a much longer settlement and conditions. I found out that when I called to let Josh, the buyer, know his offer was accepted, he was walking through the door to get down on one knee to propose to his partner Demi. She said yes! The story gets better though, Demi hadn’t seen the house yet and when we showed her through the following Monday she loved it and didn’t want to leave. During our conversation it came up that the seller was downsizing and planned to sell or donate some of her furniture, and also the young buyer’s parents had recently lost everything in the flooding further south. They were also hit hard in the 2011 floods. It breaks your heart to hear stories like that. After a few conversations back and fourth between myself, the buyers and sellers, the seller decided to donate everything, even her washing machine and fridge to help out. Josh and his parents were over the moon. They said it’s so nice to believe there are good and generous people out there. Everyone’s a winner in this story.
If you had the ability to fix one thing in the industry, what would it be?
To change Realestate.com.au charges would be a dream. If they could at last be prorated for small apartments compared to large expensive houses for example. I think it’s unfair for a one bedroom apartment to cost a vendor the same as a $2m waterfront home for the biggest advertisement on REA.
In your experience, what is the main reason for sale contracts falling through?
Termites/termite damage is a tough one. I suggest routine inspections and always repair / replace any damage that you’re aware of ahead of selling. Even better to get a pre-sale building and pest, and work through as many things as you can ahead of selling.
When you walk into a home for the first time, what makes you relax and think that the sale will be an easy one?
No sale is easy, to achieve the best outcome for your client there is always hard work involved. You do relax a little when you realise you have really connected with the people you are sitting with in their living room and they decide they will trust you to sell their most valuable asset. It’s so important to have a connection with your agent and for me, with my clients. I also love it when the sellers have great taste and/or know they should style their property to get the best outcome!
A lot of people will Google a person, or a service, prior to hiring them. How has this easy access to information and digital screening changed your process?
I love it! It’s great that potential clients can see for themselves your sales achievements and client reviews. I focus on doing the best work I can for all my clients, and this has shown in all my buyer and seller reviews online. It’s a great feeling reading a good review. I’m a little addicted to them!
If you could recommend one resource for a vendor (book, website, podcast etc), what would it be?
Rate My Agent – It’s a free website that shows who is achieving results in your suburb and importantly what the buyers and sellers have to say about their experience.
What gets you excited?
I love a wow factor property, with views and unique features like the home I have for sale at the moment at 72 Valaria Avenue, Seven Hills. The renovation is amazing. It has a heated plunge pool/spa and separate home office. It feels like you are on holidays as soon as you walk in the door. Wow!
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