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Braziers No 1 Salesperson residential investment property

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Angela Webb rode the Celtic Tiger before
beginning a real estate career in Christchurch

It was riding the Celtic Tiger during the boom time in Dublin in the early 2000s that gave Brazier Property Investments’ top salesperson Angela Webb a new career direction when she returned home to Christchurch in 2006.

Angela, now selling more than $2 million a month in residential investment property, trained as an architectural draftsperson. She worked in that capacity and in project management for four years as Dublin’s population and property market doubled.

“I was working with developers and property investors who were operating at a scale far larger than anything I had imagined back in New Zealand, and I began reading a lot about property investment, and talking with these big players who gave me their insights into the market, trends and a way of working, “Angela (32) said.

She made her first purchase, of a bare land block at West Melton, while she was working in Dublin, then an investment block and a house before she returned to her home city. She now has 14 investments under active management.

“I sort of fell into real estate but I realised I’d learned some valuable lessons, and I felt I understood what investors and developers were looking for in property. I also appreciated the money and subsequent freedom that could be generated from property. I knew the scale would be smaller back here, that there wouldn’t be the same opportunities to put 300 houses going on a 4 hectare paddock as was happening in Ireland, but I wanted to be part of it and I joined Braziers because of their strong investment property credibility.”

Architectural knowledge

Her architectural knowledge was also put to good use, especially considering plot rations for example, as was her understanding of the regulatory processes. She has since become expert in L3 and L4 land in the inner city and has assisted many buyers get the maximum returns from their land.

She does see a difference between developers and investors. “Many developers have a building background so they are very realistic and pragmatic, but that can also sometimes limit their vision, whereas investors are number crunchers who dare to dream on a larger scale sometimes.”

Angela’s clients have consistently commented on her negotiating skills, honest and straightforward approach and her understanding of the property they are looking to buy, sell or hold. About 80% of her clients are repeat buyers and sellers.

“I think one of the subtle skills that one acquires is to assess and assist without interfering, providing timely advice and giving support, but also keeping in touch as people’s needs change.”

Pricing is paramount

Angela is a strong advocate of putting properties on the market at a realistic price. “If we get the price right we attract the maximum number of people in the shortest time and greatly increase the probability of getting a strong sale in a short time. Time and time again that has worked well, for both vendors and buyers. I hate it when property goes stale just because it’s overpriced to start with. You cannot sell a place if there isn’t any enquiry because the price turns people off.”

Angela has seen trends in her four years in real estate. “Many people start off thinking they want a nice house in a good suburb as an investment but they soon realise the returns are far better and there is generally less work involved if they have flats or blocks of flats.”

Angela’s first sale was a block of two flats on Madras Street. Colleague and her largest individual sale was a block of 5 x 3-bedroom new townhouses.

In January 2009 Angela employed a business coach, partly to give it a go and also because several of her clients had business coaches, and were very pleased with the result: “I doubled my income in the first year and I aim to double it again in the next two years.”

No replacement for the salesperson’s expertise

She does not see that private selling will replace agencies for the investment market. “With the internet all buyers have access to the same properties but they often want to have a relationship with their salesperson. That way they gain knowledge, insight and a wider understanding of the market than is usually achieved through a private sale, especially if they are looking long term at multi properties.”

In her spare time Angela works with a range of animals on her lifestyle block, riding racehorses and motor bikes.

Angela is a proud sponsor of the Shepherd’s Arms Children’s’ Home in Tagbilaran, in the Boloh province in about 630 km south east of Manila, in the Philippines. The Home was established in 2004 by missionaries associated with Wellington Elim Church, and takes abandoned, neglected and abused children from birth – 14 years and gives them a home, love and education. Angela did a three week voluntary project there in August 2009, working in the heat of 9 degrees north of the equator.

ENDS

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