Plath’s patch is southern comfort
THERESE PLATH HAS A GENUINE PASSION AND KNOWLEDGE FOR REAL ESTATE, PARTICULARLY WITHIN CAIRNS’ PICTURESQUE SOUTHERN CORRIDOR, WRITES HAYDEN SMITH
The 20 or so kilometres between Cairns and Gordonvale is as captivating now for Therese Plath — Far North real estate’s Mrs Southside — as it was in 1990 when her prolific career in the industry began.
Mrs Plath hit the ground running in real estate and has only accelerated since.
Cairns’ southern corridor is being dubbed the city’s major growth area and Mrs Plath said there were good times ahead. “I do see that there will be a large amount of change on the southside, because there are limited spaces to the north of the city,” she said.
I DO SEE THAT THERE WILL BE A LARGE AMOUNT OF CHANGE ON THE SOUTHSIDE BECAUSE THERE ARE LIMITED SPACES TO THE NORTH OF THE CITY. THERESE PLATH
THE 20 or so kilometres between Cairns and Gordonvale is as captivating now for Therese Plath – Far North real estate’s Mrs Southside – as it was in 1990 when her prolific career in the industry began.
“In the Hinterland here – just behind Edmonton – it’s very scenic, quiet and restful,” said the longstanding Ray White Cairns South principal.
“A lot of people from down south are wanting to retire here to enjoy that wonderful kind of lifestyle.”
Mrs Plath hit the ground running in real estate and has only accelerated since.
From her firm’s new boutique office at Edmonton she oversees 10 staff and overlooks cane fields.
Cairns’ southern corridor is being dubbed the city’s next major growth area and Mrs Plath said there were good times ahead.
“I do see that there will be a large amount of change on the southside, because there are limited spaces to the north of the city,” she said.
“Where we’re fortunate here is that it’s always been regarded as having better value for money.
“But we have the best of both worlds with very nice upmarket properties also becoming available.”
Mrs Plath was born in Cairns and grew up on the Atherton Tablelands.
Her parents moved up the range during the construction of Lake Tinaroo.
“I remember what is now Lake Tinaroo being the Barron River, trickling through the mountains. It was really pretty,” she said.
“When you drive through that area, you could almost be anywhere in the world. It’s got a really lovely feel.”
She met her husband Allen on the Tablelands and more than 30 years ago they moved to acreage at Edmonton.
After a lengthy stint in the tourism sector, Mrs Plath became an agent for Ray White, throwing everything she could into her new role.
“I took training, courses, basically anything that was available to help me improve,” she said.
“You get back what you put into this industry and I was really lucky that I was doing something I loved.
“It’s the enjoyment of being able to help people.
“You go home at the end of the day and feel like you’ve really satisfied them.”
Her passion and dedication
YOU GET BACK WHAT YOU PUT INTO THIS INDUSTRY AND I WAS REALLY LUCKY THAT I WAS DOING SOMETHING I LOVED THERESE PLATH
have been rewarded with a host of awards over the years, including induction into the Cairns REIQ Hall of Fame and being named the 2003 Cairns Business Woman of the Year.
“I really appreciated the recognition from the wider community, not just real estate,” Mrs Plath said.
Of course, Cairns’ real estate sector has also had its fair share of down times.
Mrs Plath said being able to adapt was crucial for agents when the going became tough.
“I have seen lows and highs over the years and it has been very sad at times,” she said.
“But it’s about being able to be flexible enough to work in different marketplaces.
“I really do believe there are better days ahead, although I don’t know if we’ll see really big profits being made from property in the short term.”
Mrs Plath has sold properties ranging from $80,000 to in excess of $2 million, but she said the job had never been all about making money.
“People need you to help them through a situation, so they can get on with their lives,” she said.
“There was a little Queenslander at Redlynch owned by a delightful old couple. They wanted to go back down south to their family.
“That was a special sale. Not because it was a high-figure sale, but it was special in a way to help them relocate.
“Today I am very fortunate because I have so much referral work. Where I’ve dealt with people in the past, now I’m dealing with their children.”
Mrs Plath said she couldn’t imagine working in any other profession as she was “doing what I love”.