In this episode of the Upshot podcast by Homely, host Ben Williams talks with Donna Cross from McGrath in Geelong, a legend of the property management space with a background in media advertising sales. They discuss the challenges of running a Property Management business, as well as property news, focusing on the rental market. 

Donna emphasises the importance of relationships and community in real estate, and the need for critical thinkers and problem solvers in the business. She also shares a challenging experience she faced in her career, including times when business decisions impacted her team. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the real estate industry and the traits that make for a successful business owner when it comes to Property Management.

Donna emphasises that real estate is not just about transactions and deals, but also about building relationships with the community. She lets us in on what she deems to be the ideal characteristics of a good Property Manager, stressing the importance of caring about people, being a critical thinker, and being a problem solver. Donna explains that she looks for genuine, caring, and can communicate articulately. 

Overall, the episode highlights the importance of building relationships and being a part of the community in the real estate business.

This discussion highlights the significance of having a team of individuals who are not only skilled but also possess the right attitude and qualities to contribute to the growth and success of a business.

Donna also provides valuable advice for renters, advising renters to ensure that their application is fully complete and includes all required documentation. She also suggests including additional information about themselves, such as their pets or family, to make their application more personalised and stand out to rental providers. 

Additionally, Donna recommends that rental providers ask a 15-question list to any agency to ensure they are making the right decision in choosing a property management agency.

Key time stamps: 

[00:01:54] State of the rental market. 

[00:05:39] Changes to rental legislation. 

[00:07:28] Rental legislation benefits property managers. 

[00:13:37] Setting KPIs in real estate. 

[00:14:35] Hiring Challenges in Property Management. 

[00:19:11] Charitable work in Geelong. 

[00:24:47] High turnover in property management. 

[00:27:00] Property management legislation changes. 

[00:30:09] Grief cycles in property management. 

[00:32:47] Managing Change in Property Management. 

[00:37:49] Poor software decisions. 

[00:40:07] Automation in Property Management. 

[00:44:35] Finding a good mentor. 

[00:47:45] Sharing and promoting episodes.

We filmed the whole thing! Watch the full conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rfH8xAmb99s

You can find Donna: 

On the McGrath Geelong website: https://www.mcgrath.com.au/agent/5830-donna-cross?fbclid=IwAR1HwuTGjTMCzZ5mJ5KYsUVIPSTgO3Rq0ZC8aRYmYs31UWexmfIOTV8qtK4

On socials: https://www.facebook.com/donnacrossestateagent/

Plus, Donna’s rental listings: https://www.homely.com.au/real-estate-agency/mcgrath---geelong-19101/properties-for-rent