Will Honey: courage in choosing the technology path less trodden

Whether achieving an outstanding price for a plush new apartment in a multi-unit complex, or listing a 40-year-old, three-bedroom home tucked away in a Tuggeranong cul-de-sac, Will Honey is blazing a new trail in property with technology and teamwork.

Residential real estate is in his blood: his father, Norm Honey, has enjoyed a top career in the same industry. As Independent’s former Director of Property Management, Norm was a regular commentator in the media and has been happy to share his knowledge closer to home too.

Will describes Norm as a gentleman of real estate. “I learned early about having strong values which I continue to stand by today,” he says.

Born in Bega, Will completed high school at Erindale College. He entered real estate as a personal assistant and after a thorough grounding, he’s never looked back.

“It’s a great industry with abundant opportunities to connect with people from all walks of life,” Will says.

“I’ve always had a natural thirst for knowledge. I read a lot of property industry experts’ books and went to numerous seminars and training courses”.

Will is now principal of Independent Tuggeranong, and thrives on his work. He cannot see himself in any other role. But it’s perhaps a telling indicator of his thirst for knowledge that if he had to choose another occupation, he’d be a travelling entrepreneur kicking off new business ventures – especially if new technology was involved.

“I’m always curious about finding better ways to do things. I think that technology is an enabler for that, allowing me to work in a more automated and streamlined way,” Will says.

“Technology is a strong enabler in my business. It helps me gain efficiencies and automation for client communication, so I can connect agents more efficiently with their clients.

“However, people drive the real value, it’s the human element that will always remain important,” he says.

Will has used technology to change the traditional process of buying and selling homes, a transition that wasn’t initially easy to bring about.

“I believed that real estate could be done better so I disrupted my own business. I took a different path to most and that came with some doubters. They were the fuel for my fire, to make sure the new ways of working were a success.

“Today our methods are showing the success I knew they would,” he says.

Managing Director of Independent, John Minns, says Will is at the forefront of emerging leadership in the industry.

“Will has created an innovative and high performing business that is a market leader in Tuggeranong and serves clients across the ACT region,” John says.

“He has a passion for delivering great client experience and is one of the most innovative leaders in the national industry.

“With the rapid evolution of technology, his business has been able to map frontline client journeys to world-leading technology to enable faster response rates, reduced days on market, valuable and timely communication to buyers and sellers of residential property,” John says.

“He has injected a wonderful team culture in the business.”

Will is pleased his team is now as enthusiastic as he is about trying new ideas.

“Our team is always innovating, so we are brainstorming our ideas regularly to ensure we collaborate to get the best outcomes. I cannot thank them enough for helping to shape the business model we operate within today. Fresh ideas have come from each one of the staff here in Tuggeranong.”

He now has his sights on creating the best platform in the industry for staff to develop their skills and grow professionally.

“When that happens, our clients benefit. We have been paving the way for this for a number of years, and the recognition so far is a tribute to all the hard work the team and I have been putting in.

“We have big plans for the future,” Will says.

Will is passionate about business and his family, and when he has the opportunity, loves surfing.

Independent Tuggeranong shares its success with the local community. Will says it’s essential to give back to people where they live.

“We’ve worked with a number of schools, sporting groups, the Tuggeranong Community festival and Communities at Work, a social enterprise and leading provider of children’s services. We are very proud of our community,” Will says.