Amanda Patterson started Local Realty Sales and Rentals in Tweed Heads in 2011, determined to drive a culture of transparency and customer centricity. She also set out to provide a work environment encouraging her team to embrace a balanced lifestyle, including remote work.
Amanda has leveraged technology to develop a HUB platform where Local Realty provides end to end online support and assistance to evaluate, sell and manage property. This enables her team to work autonomously, track and manage their listings and communicate seamlessly with clients and other staff. She passionately believes that real estate can be done differently, and can be an ideal career for working parents.
Tell us how you are disrupting the traditional real estate model to bring about greater flexibility and balance for your team.
Traditional teams are usually made up of figure driven individuals who are looking to make their millions. Their offices are all about the money. Our business is based on low overheads to pass on relevant savings to our clients. Our culture appeals to people that are looking for a work life balance, and our Avatar is a mum returning to the workforce, with a real estate background.
What research did you do before you went into business and started Local Realty?
After working for a Boutique Independent Agency and then as an Auction Agent with Ray White, I worked in a real estate service industry with Domain.com.au for 2 years. In that time I met almost every real estate office, Principal and some Agents from Casino in Northern NSW to Toowoomba QLD. That was my recon mission.
I learned about the different systems used and the styles of offices, and I also looked at the people and their culture. I knew I wanted to open an Agency and decided I preferred the Boutique style, where I could operate with my own integrity and not absorb previous reputations borne by existing brands.
How do you encourage innovation and collaboration within your team to drive business opportunities?
I am a firm believer that continued education is required to expand as a person and as a professional. We learn not only from dedicated training sources, but also from life experiences and ideas that we share with other professionals. Innovation is gained when you listen to ideas and endorse them. If I don’t see an idea working, I like to discuss it and take a new approach to better understand how we could make it work. Never say NO is my motto!
How has collaborating with non-competitive businesses helped you, and what’s your advice to other business owners?
I would call this community involvement. It takes a community to raise a child and that’s how I see it for business too. It’s important to support businesses in the local area to ensure you are of service to them. The rewards may not come back straight away, but over time you can feel the benefit of playing a major part in other businesses success story.
My advice to other business owners is simple – when dealing with EVERYONE always ask yourself:
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- How can I be of service to this person/business?
- Are they receiving value from me?
Your greatest challenge?
Understanding the finances.
Most proud of
Growing a rent roll organically.
Advice for future female leaders
Back yourself, ask silly questions, never be the expert – be the listener. Never say NO – always find a solution.
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