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An agent told REB that she traded the hustle and bustle of Melbourne real estate for a return to her regional home town, seeking a better work-life balance.
Barry Plant sales agent Brittany Hazelwood-Smith began her real estate journey north of Melbourne’s CBD in Glenroy, making the hour-long commute every day from her home town in Wallan.
Despite loving her job in Glenroy, Hazelwood-Smith told REB that after about 18 months, she craved a better work-life balance and sought a role closer to home.
“With the hours you have to do in real estate, the long days, Saturdays and travel, it was difficult for me to keep up some sort of balance,” Hazelwood-Smith said.
She said that when a job opportunity arose at Barry Plant’s Mitchell Shire office, based in Wallan, she saw a way to address her work-life balance issue.
Although the office switch improved her wellbeing, Hazelwood-Smith said that it came with its own set of challenges.
“It was like starting all over again,” she said.
“I had started getting my name out there in Glenroy, and then had to start again and get people in Wallan to know who I am as a real estate agent, rather than just as someone who lives in the area.”
“It has been a little bit tricky. I am still trying to build up my reputation and get people to call me if they want to sell.”
Thankfully, having grown up in the area, Hazelwood-Smith was already familiar with the city’s amenities, such as schools and shops, which helped her with potential buyers.
Regional market
Hazelwood-Smith said that one of the biggest differences between Glenroy and Wallen has been the change of pace.
While properties listed in Glenroy saw significant buyer interest, the move to Wallen required Hazelwood-Smith to adapt to an entirely different market.
“It is starting to build up and get busy now, but moving to Wallen has definitely been slower,” she said.
She said that while a large number of properties listed in Glenroy went to auction, she has had to do more private sales since making the move.
She added that while the market isn’t overcrowded in Wallen, the area is experiencing an uptick in interest from first-home buyers following the changes to the five per cent scheme.
Additionally, she stressed that it was important for agents to guide first home buyers (FHBs) throughout the complex process and ensure they feel comfortable.
“It’s a nerve-wracking experience when you are a first-time buyer and you don’t know anything or understand the process,” she said.
“So you definitely have to bring a softer, warmer approach.”
She said the regional town was proving a popular location for FHBs and investors chasing larger blocks of land.
“A lot of the value is in the land, so you do get better bang for your buck in this area because you can get a larger house on bigger land.”
“We do get quite a lot of Sydney investors, because the market in Sydney is just crazy.”
In contrast to dealing with FHBs, Hazelwood-Smith said she found that she had to stand her ground and be firmer when dealing with investors.
“They want to get a property as cheaply as they can, and get the best rental income they can.”
“With those buyers, you have to be more certain from the start, and let them know that this is where we stand,” Hazelwood-Smith concluded.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mathew Williams
Born in the rural town of Griffith NSW, Mathew Williams is a graduate journalist who has always had a passion for storytelling. Having graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Sports Media in 2023, Mathew recently made the move to Sydney from Canberra to pursue a career in journalism and has joined the Momentum Media team, writing for their real estate brands. Outside of journalism, Mathew is an avid fan of all things sports and regularly attends sporting events across Sydney. Get in touch at
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