Don’t hesitate, Do it: Redfern
For Andrew Redfern, the level of professionalism and integrity at Harcourts just stood out. He believes that having a brand that clients know and trust is extremely important.
The 60-year-old sales and listings consultant said buying or selling a property was often one of the biggest decisions people make in their lives, so having a company and agent whom they were comfortable with and could rely on to do the right thing, was crucial.
“I also liked the international branding power and reach that Harcourts have to offer our clients,” he said.
Mr Redfern is employed at Harcourts for the past three years and his journey has been challenging yet exciting.
“Having spent the last 30 plus years working in the tourism industry, I often joke to people that changing to Real Estate was a “mid-life crisis”, but actually I think I just wanted a change and the excitement and challenge that comes with doing something different,” he said.
“I came into the industry just before COVID-19 closed down our borders and changed all of our lives. It was an important time to help people who had sometimes lost their livelihood completely or were working on reduced incomes, whether they were looking to buy, rent or sell.”
He said he had been involved in the selling and negotiations for a number of “big” properties including a number of resorts which were currently in process.
“But personally, I don’t think it is how big or expensive a property is that is important. I take just as much pleasure, if not more, helping everyday Fijian families find their dream home as I do from selling “bigger properties”,” Mr Redfern said.
“I ran a marketing campaign called “Stop Renting and Own Your Own Home” a while ago. It drew an amazing response.
“It was an eye opener to see just how many people are wanting (and sometimes desperate) to own their own place. I’m always happy to help first time owners, so if you have been thinking about buying, get in touch now.”
He also said during the COVID-19 period, a number of people who had lost their jobs in the tourism industry looked to turn back to the land to make a living for themselves and their families.
“One of the most satisfying things during this period was helping people find farms,” he said.
Mr Redfern is currently working with two absolutely stunning properties, both of which have featured here in the Fiji Sun.
“One is a beautiful four-bedroom family home in Momi, the other a three-bedroom house in Uciwai which has some of the most amazing views I have ever seen,” he said.
“Both offer their new owners peace, quiet and tranquility plus the opportunity to become self-sufficient and escape the rat race.”
Role of real estate agents
People often look at Real Estate Agents as “Sales People” often “ruthless sales people”.
But to Mr Redfern, agents are more “matchmakers” than all out sales people.
“In any form of sales, listening to what people want is really the most important thing and then helping them to find it,” he said.
“When it comes to selling a property for a vendor, I will look at how we can best market it for them. What are its special points? What is unique about it? What will it offer or give to the people buying it? Where is it best to advertise it?
“The other advantage in working for an international company like Harcourts is that each of our agents have a massive database of clients looking for properties and anyone of us can sell each other’s properties, meaning we have a huge reach when it comes to finding the right clients to sell a property.”
Assisting the clients
“Again the process starts with asking them questions, what are you looking for, how many rooms do you need, where do you want to live, what is important to you? Then it
often comes down to affordability,” Mr Redfern said.
“Often with first time buyers, I will put them in touch with a loans officer at a bank to see how much they are eligible to borrow and most importantly how much they can afford in mortgage repayments.
“We sometimes find that mortgage repayments are not always a great deal more than what they are currently paying on rent! So if you are looking to buy your first home, get in touch and let’s talk.”