From Plays of the week to House of the Week
These days, instead of introducing Dobbo’s Plays of the week, Howard ‘‘Dobbo’’ Dobson is introducing his House of the Week.
You may remember this awardwinning real estate agent from his days as a television news sports presenter.
Though, after almost seven years in real estate, it’s becoming less common for people to recognise him from his two decades on TV3 – it’s more likely to be an ‘‘I’ve seen you somewhere before,’’ Dobbo says with a laugh.
Being a public name can get you in front of people, though – years ago, one couple came to an open home on a whim to ‘‘see Dobbo’’, and ended up with a $500,000 mortgage.
Still, getting in front of people is only one aspect of the job, he says.
There are other ingredients – communication, honesty, passion, energy and trust. And you’ve got to work hard, especially for clients’ trust. ‘‘It’s one thing to be known or even liked, it’s another to be trusted.’’
His hard work has paid off. There have been some stellar triumphs for Team Dobbo since he started in the real estate business in 2016, culminating with the $6,800,000 sale of the Hamilton Holiday Park in 2020. The successful 16,800 square-metre Ruakura property transaction remains one of Hamilton’s all-time highest (residential zone – individual title) sales since Lugtons was established in 1955.
If there’s one thing Dobbo brings with him from his nearly three decades working in the media, when he covered multiple Rugby World Cups, Olympic Games and World Title Fights, followed by a career at Mediaworks, it’s his stellar communication skills.
In fact, his clients describe him as ‘‘communication plus.’’
Because communication, empathy and honesty are key, Dobbo believes – even when the truth can sometimes be brutal.
That’s something that’s become increasingly common in today’s real estate market, when interest rates are starting to resemble legalised fraud, he says. This can be downright heartbreaking for the clients, and breaking the news that their offer is not enough, is hard on Dobbo. ‘‘Especially when my buyers’ preapproval levels have been slashed by over $50,000 by the banks if they lose all their pre-approval status,’’ he says.
‘‘This job can keep your ego in check. Right now, we’re seeing a lot of crashed offers.’’
But with the right agent fighting at your side, getting the right result is possible as long as you’re patient.
‘‘Right now there are more downs than ups because almost everything is dependent on finance and mortgage serviceability. It’s a challenging time in all sectors, but it’s about staying positive. The market is gold right now for qualified, leveraged, cashed-up buyers.’’
He has hope for vendors, too. ‘‘It’s not about how much you sell for, it’s about securing your net margin.’’
That’s why he believes in buying and selling in the same market. ‘‘I encourage vendors to see if they can settle in three or more months. If the market keeps shifting, your cashed-up position only gets stronger if you’re prepared to wait while cashed up. It takes courage, but it’s worth it.’’
Banks, he says, are there to make money, not friends. He encourages motivated vendors to take the plunge before the late-February OCR increase.
That’s why you need a friend by your side – an experienced real estate agent who you can trust to be straight up with you; ‘‘someone who actually does what they say they will.’’
He also has this advice for buyers: ‘‘There are three ways to improve your sale – position, price and presentation. While you might not be able to do much about the first two, there’s still a lot you can do in terms of presentation, like decluttering, getting an exterior house wash and giving your home a lick of paint. But ultimately any property can sell if the price is right.’’
Dobbo says his favourite part of the job is connecting people to property. There’s a real privilege to that.
‘‘It’s a huge responsibility and stewardship, but there’s no greater privilege than helping people buy and sell their biggest asset.’’
It’s a job where you sometimes play marriage counsellor, psychologist and motivator, all in one day, he says.
And he wouldn’t be doing this job anywhere else but in the Waikato, where he initially moved to be closer to family.
Having worked in Auckland before, he jokes that you don’t need ‘‘a police escort or a chartered plane’’ to get to your open home on time here. He loves the confidence with which he can get round all of Hamilton’s 90-odd suburbs. ‘‘It’s a bit more chill around here too – in some cases, you don’t have to wear a tie or suit,’’ he adds.
‘‘Traffic jams are only 20 to 30 minutes max. We’re close to Raglan and the Mount for beaches, and we have the world-class Hamilton City Gardens, the lake, river and bike trails. It’s a great place to live for those who want to work from home and get out of the rat race. We’re a progressive city and with the new Ruakura Inland Port, we’re one of the best positioned cities for future growth and change.’’
He still dressed up occasionally – to MC corporate events nationwide on a freelance basis, including West Auckland’s Kumeu A&P Show and the Fight for Life celebrity sporting event. A favourite hosting moment included auctioning off Sonny Bill Wililams’ Chiefs jersey for more than $4000 in New Plymouth in 2014.
He’s still a ‘‘sportaholic’’ who likes to keep up with all things TV and radio sports where possible. He also has an interest in studying Biblical prophecy – his current study focus is the Biblicals books of Daniel and Revelations. Dobbo loves spending time with his loved ones, including wife Sharon Dobson, nee Te Kanawa, who worked with him in the business for six years before being shoulder tapped for another role recently, and their only child, their ‘‘little miracle’’, son Daniel, named after the book. Dobbo is super proud of Daniel, who is now 19 and studying engineering at Waikato University.
Howard ‘‘Dobbo’’ Dobson, Residential Greenhill, 021 995 906
Email: dobbo.dobson@lugtons.co.nz
Web: lugtons.co.nz/about/our-team/ dobbo-dobson