19 April 2022

Four Canberra real estate agencies among the nation's best

| Katrina Condie
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Emily Larsen from Independent Property Group took out the Residential Property Manager of the Year Award

Independent Property Group’s Emily Larsen takes out the Residential Property Manager of the Year Award at the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) National Awards of Excellence. Photo: Independent.

Despite a turbulent two years with border closures, lockdowns and restrictions on property inspections, four Canberra real estate agencies have proven they’re among the country’s best after taking home gongs at the industry’s national awards night.

The winners were among the country’s top agents honoured across 21 categories at the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) National Awards of Excellence announced in Melbourne on 7 April.

Independent Property Group’s team leader Emily Larsen scooped the Residential Property Manager of the Year Award, while the Achievement Award was won by Bianca Way from home.byholly.

The Commercial Property Manager of the Year trophy went to Kadison News from Burgess Rawson and the Innovation Award was taken out by Canberra Property Partners.

Emily, who has been in the industry for nine years, including the last three with Independent, has been working towards winning a national award.

“Having now accomplished it means the world to me,” she says.

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Emily says the role of property manager is challenging, balancing both sides of the landlord/tenant relationship with care, diligence and positive outcomes.

“I’m very lucky to have been able to work alongside some of the best who invested time in me and helped me plan my way to my goals,” she says.

Emily manages a team of five and wears multiple hats in her role, specialising in managing build-to-rent apartment complexes for developers throughout Canberra and for owners with large investment portfolios.

The ACT boasted 17 nominations at the awards. Real Estate Institute (REI) ACT CEO Michelle Tynan says bringing home four category wins is “incredible”.

“The ACT real estate industry has once again proven it is one of the most professional and educated jurisdictions in the country,” she says.

Michelle congratulated the winners on their “dedication and commitment to being the best professionals in the ACT, as well as representing the ACT on the national stage”.

“This is a true reflection of the pride our members take in continually striving to be the best in the industry at all times.”

She says the past couple of years have been challenging for all real estate professionals in Canberra.

“Our members have had to completely rethink how they can best provide their services to their clients without the normal face-to-face contact and inspections,” Michelle says.

“It is an absolute credit to our industry here in Canberra that we have been able to ensure everyone has continued to be able to transact in real estate. Be it by sale of rental opportunities, with an exceptional customer focus at the forefront of our members’ everyday practice.”

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REIA president Hayden Groves says 2022 has proven to be the year for women after taking out 10 of the 13 individual awards.

“It was encouraging to see many more female participants in the 2022 NAFE (National Awards For Excellence) with 45 women finalists, which was a staggering 60 per cent increase on last year,” he says.

To compete for a national award, Canberra nominees must first win the REIACT Awards before another gruelling submission process, which assesses various aspects of their chosen field.

The REI Awards for Excellence are the only awards judged by industry peers and are not based solely on the volume of transactions.

The awards featured 21 categories across all aspects of the real estate sector, including residential and commercial agencies, residential and commercial sales, property management, business brokers, buyer’s agents, community service, innovation and communications.

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What does it take to be Residnetial Property Manager of the year?
Landlords entrust their property to you, you run an add, at least 50 people apply to rent said property, all who meet if not exceed ‘suitable tennant’ requirements.
You hand them a set of keys and a lease, they set up a diret debit, job done.
You then ignore the other 49 applicants and go off in search of more landlords to fleece 5%/year for doing half a days work.
Were it not a deductable item this profession would not exist.

But serious question, what qualities must one display to be the best in the nation at this task?

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