Well today is the last day of officially living in New Plymouth. I have been reflecting on what I have achieved and learnt with my time here in New Plymouth and all I can really say is it has been a steep and progressive learning curve. I came to New Plymouth after leaving the Navy to look after my sick father. I had my Real Estate Sales Persons Certificate and managed to land a position selling with Harcourts in New Plymouth. This was when the real education started.
When I started selling I was only 20, almost 21. It was the first time I had never had a paid income coming in every week since I was 15 and after a month of that really freaked me out. On top of this the capital outlay to set my brand and the business up in New Plymouth was massive. They say when you start Real Estate to not expect any income for at least 6 months. I was fortunate to have scored a little listing at a small apartment complex in town and after doing all the right things sold it after the first weekend of open homes. This was really the kick start that started my real estate career.
From here on it became interesting. I started in August 2007 and the peak of the market was about November 2007 and ever since then it has gone down and making sales has become very much harder. But through my time I worked hard and continually invested time into learning how to better myself and do the job I was meant to be doing. In 2007 I worked right through the Christmas period and held up the fort at the office while many others were away on holiday. And this is when 12 months ago I really started to make some good. In January 2008 I was Top Seller for the office, March I was top Lister for the office, In May was top Seller again, In August and October I was the in the top 50 Real Estate Agents for Harcourts in the Wellington Region, And in September was again top seller for the New Plymouth Office.
This was done by just hard work and dedication to what I do. There are a number of things I strongly believe in that I will share at a later date.
Today is the day that I leave all that behind and move on to other things. Tomorrow I will land in Christchurch officially and start the set up process again. The hard work begins now. Actually it started last week with the packing. I have just been chatting to some people from twitter asking them what they hate the most about moving and there are two very clear winners.
1st has to be the actual packing up part. For my own situation, I just cannot believe how much stuff I accumulated over the time. The other day I was going through the wardrobe and there are things in there that I had forgotten I had even had. I am one of these people that find it hard to part with things… what do you call that.. hoarders. Well in my defence I am a Kiwi and I think that a good part of our population is just the same. I think the salvation army will be happy with all the things I have given them, especially this close to Christmas.
The second thing that people find the worst about packing was the unpacking. Putting things away, finding new homes for all the items you just packed away. All those boxes all over the place, probably sleeping on the floor for the first couple of days, having none of your electronic gear set up…. Man it’s frustrating just thinking about it. Grr!! Moving is stressful, especially when you are moving into the unknown. I have some great ideas though…
Well to all my past clients, friends, followers and anyone who finds this blog from New Plymouth, please stay in touch I will be back from time to time and if you need any help or assistance at any time just ask. For the people of Christchurch, I hope to meet some of you some day, maybe help in some way. If your looking for a house to buy or have to sell one call me and I will have a chat to you about it. I look forward to the challenges that are going to pop up starting from tomorrow. Moving, as frustrating as it may be should be positive, but I cant seem to feel any of those positives right now (as I sift though boxes looking for my phone)……
all the best in Christchurch!
I don’t envy you beginning again in real estate in a new area, however, you have learned the things you need to do to make a successful real estate career.
To summarize my office’s top earner when accepting her award for yet again being the top seller in the country for the franchise (out of 100 offices!)
“Make the Call”
I have this above my desk at work. In real estate, you aren’t working until you start making the calls you know you need to make. Simply being in the office is not enough even though it may make you feel less guilty. But reading the paper and drinking the nasty instant coffee provided by the boss doesn’t make money!
Its all about being at the coal face with a sharpened pick!
Hi Deon, I’ve just noticed you have added my site to your blog roll, thanks for that :-).
All the very best for the move. What a great time to be starting with a new office, while everyone else relaxes over the Christmas break you’ll be there ready to pick up any slack, take it one day at a time.
Deon, best luck in your new patch. Pick a farm area like you did in NP. Photograph everything recently sold and for sale. You’ll be the area expert within days ‘cos nobody else would have done it. Good luck mate, Navy boys never give up eh!
Thanks David, Sharon and Steve. Its going to be a great move, every move ive made so far has made me better so this will be the same.
I will be a busy which just what I like