February 20, 2010

What's next!

Saturday 20 February 2010

WOW, what another exciting, adventurous and very interesting week it has been both personally and professionally.

The business hit a few exciting milestones this past week, including my first interstate client, my 5th advisory client (on agreement) and secured two 12 month IN House Training Agreements. Plus, one of the highest moments of the week was working with one office in particular; their professionalism, class, knowledge and hunger for education had me wanting to jump as high as I could in the sky! Love working with some amazing wonderful motivate professionals, as is indicative of much of the real estate industry.


Personally, we got a new family car - a MINI Cooper S, Black - after having a black car years ago, which I loved, I swore I would never get another black one as it is very hard to clean! But as they say, never say NEVER! I love the mini, very cool with sunroof and leather seats plus other cool options.

Until next time...

February 14, 2010

Commericalism and special events in our lives

February 14 2010

As I walked through my local shopping centre this morning, I got to thinking of an old debate about certain special events of the year, Christmas, Easter and Valentines Day to name but a few events that are special to most of us.

As I stumbled past the vast array of flowers and chocolates (that even I felt guilty for not getting some for my loved one) I then ran into the HUGE array of Easter eggs! What the???

Most of us have long questioned the commercial reality as opposed to the reality of certain days that are marked on our calendars by 'others' (not us). We of course choose whether we celebrate these days that are told to us by other to 'celebrate'. There are a few of us in our society who choose not to celebrate the days; either at all, or particularly not in a commercial sense.

Every day in a relationship should be valentines day; and yes I know, relationships are not a 'bed of roses' - pardon the pun. Nor am I looking at life and relationships through 'rose coloured glasses' - again pardon the pun...

But seriously, relationships are not easy - nothing worthwhile is; but in saying that why is one day chosen in which we turn to our significant other and 'appreciate them' and shower them with gifts of which we've normally paid a huge mark up on as the day comes to quickly after Christmas and we all so busy with 'life'.

My point, my observation is to try and live all our lives like everyday is Christmas (celebrate) like it is Valentines Day (appreciate and love our other) and like Easter (eat good chocolate) Why wait for that one day of the year?

Until next time...

February 13, 2010

Reflections

February 13th 2010

Don't you find it amazing to look back on your life, either professionally or personally and realities hit home as to why certain things have happened. The old saying 'everything happens for a reason' is something I believe in; the problem with that is, at the time of something happening in your life, we may not know why it actually happened, but some time later, days, months or even years, the 'reason' becomes apparent.

I have had a few moments like that this week; some too personal to explain but some I can. Regarding my career, it has been a long amazing, sometimes tiring journey. That journey is still continuing and is far from over I know. But the stages are certainly very different; I reflect back on my early days with Bill Hamilton and Co Real Estate (now Ray White Biloela) when I first began. I laugh greatly about some memories of those first days, especially when the property manager at the time said 'rent arrears' - I had to ask what rent arrears were! Oh my goodness did I really admit that!! I was only 19! (think there is a song called that, but a much more serious issue that one)

I then moved onto Ray White Rockhampton for many wonderful years, then Ray White Corporate. After that the REIQ and now here I am (gee I know I fast forwarded those reflections :) but let me tell you, there are many poignant moments in my career that I have recently realised why that 'event' happened. During a presentation to licensee's this week (in a licensee workshop, I found myself saying Real Estate is all I Know, and that is so true. Though I did do bar and restuarant work at the Boomerang Hotel Mackay but that story is a novel in itself :)

I am blessed to have and to have had such amazing people surrounding me, supporting me and believing in me. Sadly some of those great people dropped off (and I don't mean where we all end up one day) a long the way, which is unfortunate however there are three reasons they say that we meet people, for a reason, for a season,or for a lifetime.

Life is good, no complaints. Another great week for my business. Onwards and Upwards as my dear old friend said to me last night (thanks Ray)

Until next time..

February 11, 2010

Mid February 2010 Real Estate Excellence Industry Update

Mid February 2010 Real Estate Excellence Industry Update
Industry Update


With the government introducing a new version of the QLD Sustainability Declaration on the 4th February 2010, the industry also got the news last weekend about the Federal government introducing mandatory energy assessments for both sales and rental properties from May 2011. The Queensland media do not appear to have picked this news up as yet.
Visit www.realestateexcellence.com.au - then USEFUL Information and click on Real Estate Media and Sustainability for more information.


A reminder about upcoming events throughout Queensland being held in March and April. Visit the site and click on USEFUL Information *upcoming events OR contact me direct.


Until next time....

February 6, 2010

About Stacey Holt - Real Estate Excellence

Stacey Holt began the business Real Estate Excellence in January 2010 to continue and expand on an already extensive and successful real estate career. Prior to the launch of her own business, Stacey had 8 years in agency practice in regional Queensland, followed by 2 years in a franchise corporate role. After the franchise role, Stacey then spent six years in a corporate position, as an industry trainer and then best practice and policy manager based in Brisbane, for the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ).

The corporate position saw Stacey travel around Queensland on a regular basis educating the real estate industry on issues relating to best practice, policy and legislation. Stacey, in her former corporate role, consulted with government on a range of issues that greatly affect the industry including the Sustainability Declaration and the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act.

In addition, Stacey has been a speaker at many Queensland and National conferences, authored regular monthly articles for a Real Estate Journal and has written and presented numerous real estate training programs. The many programs that have been written and presented by Stacey have all had the three main streams and focus required for today's real estate professional; best practice, compliance and risk management.

Stacey Holt Real Estate Excellence sees the beginning of a new era of service and education Excellence for the Real Estate Industry. Today’s real estate professional needs expertise from an industry specialist who can assist the business in compliance, best practice and risk management in no nonsense fashion.

One of Stacey’s areas of expertise is her ability to ‘plain speak’ the law and explain complicated legislation in a simple way that we can all understand! Stacey is also well known for her passion and legislative knowledge and is a firm believer of keeping things simple in her delivery of real estate education. Knowledge is Power has long been a motto of Stacey’s which has seen her continue to prosper in the industry of professional Real Estate.

Testimonials can be provided upon request. Please refer below to some of the many testimonials that can be provided.

TESTIMONIALS

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I have great pleasure in providing some feedback regarding Stacey Holt of Real Estate Excellence of whom I have known for many years in a professional capacity.

I am co-director of a large franchise office in Australia and over the last decade we have worked very hard to build the company and take it forward as professionally and progressively as possible. This would not have been possible without listening and learning from those in this industry that have proven expertise and knowledge about the legislative and practical side of real estate and fewer are held in higher regard across this diverse industry as Stacey Holt.

I first came into contact with Stacey when she was working for an agency in Rockhampton and a chance introduction and debate about tenancy policy at that time was all that was required for me to ascertain I was debating with a most knowledgeable and professional individual.

It therefore came as no surprise to me when I learned that Stacey had later been appointed as a best practice and policy manager for the REIQ and over a period of 6 years continued to advise agencies in areas of best practice in both small forums and large conference speeches in her own plain speaking and knowledgeable manner.

Now though her company Real Estate Excellence we as an industry have a new ability to receive best practice advice personalised to us individually in our roles and I would encourage any person serious about success in real estate to swiftly acquaint themselves with Real Estate Excellence or risk operating in an industry where ignorance is no defence and the differences between success and failure are slim, so there would be no good reason not to ensure you protect yourselves, families and careers through best practice operations of your office.

If any person reading this would like further insight into Stacey’s background or information on the benefits of engaging an individual of this caliber from an independent third party then I would have no hesitation in inviting them to contact me.
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I have watched with interest as Stacey has developed her skills in all areas of real estate. Stacey has been a guest on our radio show on a number of occasions and speaks with confidence and authority on a broad range of real estate topics.

Stacey's new business will allow her to focus on what I know she enjoys and that is the development of people. She has a wonderful communication style and an ability to impart a lot of knowledge and instill confidence. I wish her every success. I have no hesitation in recommending Stacey Holt and Real Estate Excellence.

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Although I have personally known Stacey Holt for more than eight years, our company have had the pleasure of utilising Stacey Holt for training in Qld for the last three years.

Her presentation style oozes energy and passion, she has the ability to keep an audience enthralled, no matter how heavy the topic. She is a crusader for our industry and agents should feel blessed that Stacey is available for training and assistance.

Personally, I have always found Stacey to be an extremely diligent person, I believe she has an analytical mind and her wealth of Legislation knowledge is exceptional, which gives agents peace of mind that any question, query or concern that is given to Stacey to address is not answered unless she is 100% sure her answer is correct.

In all my dealings with Stacey, I have found her to be honest, loyal and a person of high integrity and ethics.
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The writer/s of these testimonials details can be provided upon request.
February 6th 2010

The week that was...

Saturday 6th February 2010


It has been a huge week in the business which is fantastic! I had a diverse week, with a mix of Auction training for a group, consulting with property managers for a day on the coast, then a workshop with sales people focusing on sustainability and contracts. An interesting mix of subjects and topics, and with great people!

I was reminded (not that I ever forget) what the 'real world' in real estate was like this week, when one of my clients phoned me just as I was arriving at the office for our 8am consulting appointment to say that she was racing to a property as she has received a phone call to say that water was running everywhere at this vacant property. After a disaster was quickly managed, the client informed and steps taken to 'fix' the problem, we then settled in for a fantastic productive meeting!
( I must comment on this client; an agent of 21 years, licensee for 10 - and wow, she has the energy and passion that would be the envy of most) I walked away from her feeling energised (and maybe a little bit exhausted) - just kidding. People like that are remarkable.

Late Friday afternoon (4th February) I received confirmation that the Office of Fair Trading QLD will do a presentation to our industry on March 17 2010. Which will be fantastic!

The events being held across the state are getting alot of interest and registrations, thank you to those who have registered! We are going to have great property management and sales training workshops!

Until next time...

and ps. the week that was FANTASTIC! and I love my iphone! (am wondering how did I live without it?