Raising the bar – how Kyle poured passion into property success

From serving cold ales to impressive property sales, Kyle’s personable manner and determined approach has seen him rise to the top of the Sunshine Coast property ranks.

As Sales Manager, Kyle oversees all day-to-day operations of the residential sales business to grow opportunities for buyers and sellers, working closely with team members to ensure they get the support they need.

Launching his real estate career in Port Macquarie in 1989, Kyle worked for major national franchise groups in NSW and locally prior to joining Henzells in 2013 where he has been a driving force behind the residential sales team, a motivator, mentor and mate.

With integrity and 100% commitment underlying everything he does, Kyle continually goes out of his way to achieve the best possible outcomes for buyers, sellers and staff.

He is the first to admit he did not achieve great academic heights at school, being politely told by teachers “education was not my thing” after grade nine, so he stepped out to make his own mark in the world. He worked in surfboard factories, as a pre-school assistant, barman, and hotel manager before making his mark in real estate, and what a mark it has been.

Kyle has won multiple sales awards and the admiration of his peers – but as you will read in this interview, it’s not the silverware that motivates him.

We sat down with Kyle to find out more:

Q: What initially drew you to a career in real estate, and how did you rise to the role of Sales Manager?
A: It’s a pretty funny story to be honest. I used to run two pubs in Port Macquarie. I met my wife, Michelle, and in time we wanted to have a family, but we decided the pub game was not conducive to the type of family life we wanted. I used to see these guys rock into the pub after work looking flash, and I found out they sold real estate. PRD Nationwide put an ad in the positions vacant section of the Port Macquarie News and I said to Michelle, ‘I’m going to have a go at this’. I went over and got an interview. I didn’t realise at the time, but around 120 people applied. I went back for five interviews as they narrowed the field down, and despite not even having a resume, I somehow got the job! I was very naïve at the time. I wouldn’t say I was born into real estate; it was more like I fell into it!

Q: How would you describe the current property market in Caloundra, and what trends are you noticing? 
A: When I stand out the front of the office, this is the question I get asked by people every day. I always tell them that Caloundra is a market within a market.  Because we live in paradise, other people want to live here too. There will always be suburbs that are hot, and others that are not, and they will swap around. Good property priced well will always sell.

Q: What strategies do you use to motivate and lead your sales team? 
A: When you are a sales person in real estate it is a business within a business. If agents want a good income, they are going to be self-motivated. My job is to assist them with getting listings, showing buyers through and just being the old dog that gives a bit of advice. 

Q: What do you think sets Henzells Agency apart from others in the region? 
A: I have worked for all the big franchises, and one thing I have learned, particularly with how the internet has transformed what we do, is you don’t have to work for the big guys to have success. To work for a family company where (Directors) Garry and Roy are here every second day, where the staff are great humans and you feel part of something special – you just can’t beat it. We work hard but it is about having fun. We all have the occasional bad day, but someone always walks along and picks you up. (Henzells GM) Katherine steers a great ship, she plays a huge role in creating the environment we enjoy.

Q: What’s the most rewarding aspect of helping clients buy or sell property?
A: I’m not going to lie, when I first started it was about being paid!  But you soon learn you make clients and friends for life. My kids’ friends ring me for advice on real estate. When your daughter and son refer you clients because they know you will look after them – that’s very rewarding.

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to invest in real estate on the Sunshine Coast?
A: There’s the old saying that you should have bought 20 years ago, but if you don’t buy today, you will be saying the same thing in another 20 years.  This is a blue-chip property area. When you consider the quality infrastructure coming along, and the natural beauty of the area, it’s hard to go wrong.

Q: How has technology changed the way you approach real estate sales and customer service? 
A: Technology has made some parts of the job easier, but I still think the most important thing is to get face to face with clients. Personal service will always be the most important part of real estate. Tech has given us more reach to promote properties, but you still need that quality customer and personal service – having a chat, grabbing a coffee, and most importantly, listening.

Q:  What’s your proudest professional achievement since joining Henzells?
A: It’s not about awards for me, it’s about building a culture where staff want to stay. Real estate is a transient industry where agents will sometimes jump from office to office when things get hard. I’m proud that that’s not the case here. Our staff stay for about six years on average compared to the industry standard of just one or two. This is good for our clients as well, who enjoy the continuity of dealing with the same knowledgeable people.

Q: What do you see as the biggest challenges for real estate professionals in the current economic climate? 
A: I might be a little bit different.  I worry about my kids and my friends’ kids and how they will buy to live on the Sunshine Coast. Even though I sell real estate, I want the younger generation to invest here. My biggest fear is affordability for young buyers in this climate.

Q: If you weren’t in real estate, what career path do you think you would have chosen? 
A: I think I would have stayed in the hospitality industry, or worked in a surf shop. I like meeting different people, young and old, and I’m always up for chat.

Q: What’s your go-to way to unwind after a busy week? 
A: Diving under the water on a Friday afternoon at Dicky Beach. Sitting on the back deck with my wife and dog, having a cold drink and checking in on each other.

Q: Do you have a favourite hidden gem or must-visit spot on the southern Sunshine Coast that you recommend to clients? 
A: I would have to say Currimundi Lake and Currimundi Beach, you can have toddlers on one side and experienced surfers on the other, all enjoying the beautiful surrounds. As I have gotten older, food and coffee have become important and there are so may hidden gems in Caloundra.  Between the Flags Coffee at Dicky Beach, Café Sisily at Golden Beach, a good old chicken parmi at Kings Beach Surf Club, and it just keeps going!