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To mark International Women’s Day, REB has reached out to several leading women in real estate to get an insight into what drew them to the industry.
Across this week, we will share their answers with you.
Helen Yan, Ray White Balwyn director
What drew you to a career in real estate?
I was drawn to it as I am able to help those from different areas. I can try my best to educate them to better understand.
What is a challenge you faced and how did you overcome it?
When the market is tough, I make sure I spend more time with my clients and be patient as I try to help them.
Do you think real estate is a good industry for women to work in?
Yes, of course. But the industry could use more honesty, more passion, more knowledge and better service.
Kate Strickland, Marshall White Brighton director
What drew you to a career in real estate?
I purchased two properties in my early 20s and had a desire and a connection to not only feeling secure and “at home” but help friends and family achieve the same feeling. It was a force that drove me from a personal hobby to a passion that became a career!
What is a challenge you faced and how did you overcome it?
The challenge is the emotional and physical strain that real estate brings. It’s not a “job”; it’s a way of life. So, finding balance and boundaries between the two can be blurry and therefore never give you any time out for yourself. This takes many years to master, and I learnt the hard way with relationship and health pressures that finally crumbled.
What goals and milestones do you have for your career?
My goals are now based around health, balance, fulfilment and helping others achieve the same!
Do you think real estate is a good industry for women to work in?
It’s a fabulous industry for women because, primarily, we make more effective real estate professionals in my opinion! Research demonstrates that women are making the majority of the research and buying decisions, so our ability to connect, listen, empathise and extract the best outcomes for vendors and buyers sits within the make-up of who we are. Women are rising and will continue to rise to be the most successful agents, and above all, that’s in line with our own definition of success. So not just income and GCI, but the flexibility of work hours, school holiday family time, maternity leave and overall an extremely fulfilling career and lifestyle.
Nancy Hu, Fletchers Real Estate director
What drew you to a career in real estate?
I enjoy helping my clients buy, sell and build up their property portfolios. For most people, real estate is the most important decisions they make in different stages of their lives.
What is a challenge you faced and how did you overcome it?
With bank policy changes, we have a challenge with helping our overseas clients to settle their property. We have tried many different financial providers to find the best ones to help these clients.
What goals and milestones do you have for your career?
I’d really like to train more young agents to help them succeed in their real estate career.
Do you think real estate is a good industry for women to work in?
Yes, I think so. It has more flexibility to set up your own routine, to have work and life balance.
I think employers need to provide more opportunities and provide a progress plan to help women back to work after they have a baby. We have women staff work part-time after having children then go back to work full-time step by step.
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