Agent Profile

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Agent: Karen Mychaelle Seeto<img src="/images/2014/04/14/Karen-Seeto--PROFILE.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Position: Sales/Principal
Company: Ray White Commercial
Location: Brisbane
How long have you been in the industry?
12 years.
What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
The commercial industrial property market is seeing increased buyer activity. This is in both tenanted and vacant assets.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold:
The most interesting property I have sold is Wirrina Cove in South Australia. The sale of Wirrina Cove encompassed selling of the following:
<ul>
<li>Resort, Conference Centre, Golf Course</li>
<li>Caravan Park</li>
<li>Undeveloped Land</li>
<li>Developed Lots</li>
<li>Marina Berths and Head Lease</li>
</ul>
The assets were sold in five stages and were marketed with a budget of $449,951.07, generating a total of 851 enquiries.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
<ul>
<li>People skills</li>
<li>Team work</li>
<li>Negotiation skills</li>
<li>Efficiency</li>
<li>Product knowledge</li>
<li>Commitment</li>
</ul>
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most? 
I enjoy working with people and being able to help them with both the sales and acquisition of assets.  In all situations being able to look for the win for both parties to ensure a successful outcome.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
The residential investment market.
Which football team do you support?
I don't. Netball - Firebirds 
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?
The new iPad air.
How do you use social media?
Website - <a href="https://kms.raywhitecommercial.com.au/" target="_blank">https://kms.raywhitecommercial.com.au/</a>
Linkedin - <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/pub/karen-mychaelle-seeto/63/b02/b00" target="_blank">https://au.linkedin.com/pub/karen-mychaelle-seeto/63/b02/b00</a>
Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/KarenSeeto" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/KarenSeeto</a>
Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/karenmychaelleseeto" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/karenmychaelleseeto</a>  
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In profile: Ray White Commercial's principal - Brisbane, Karen Mychaelle Seeto

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Name: Adam Barrett<img src="/images/2014/05/12/barrett-profile.png" alt="" style="float: right;">
Position: Director - office leasing
Company: JLL
Office location: Brisbane
How long have you been in the industry? 
17 years
What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
The Brisbane office leasing market is challenging at present with limited demand and record high vacancies. Though we have witnessed general activity and tenant interest in new accommodation increasing significantly in 2014 due to the attractive incentive levels now on offer from landlords. We see general sentiment in the office market improving over the next couple of years as business confidence grows and economy gets back on track.    
Describe the most interesting property you have sold?
I have only ever sold some Strata titles units for Honourable Con Sciacca which was very interesting in its self as my focus is on office leasing. The most interesting and most rewarding project that I have been involved in to date was pre-committing 145 Ann Street for Leighton Properties.
This was done at the height of the GFC when securing both the tenants and the funding package for a new office project was very difficult. We were successful in securing 19,000 square metres of pre-commitments to GHD, CUA and Grant Thornton, enabling the commencement of construction of the 27,000 square metre office tower.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job? 
Office leasing is a game of highs and lows and you need to be able to stay focused through both cycles. Hard work and persistence is needed at all times. Building and maintaining relationships is the key to successful agent. 
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most? 
I enjoy the day to day contact with a variety of different people and personalities. It really is people persons game and the job  continually throws up many different challenges which keeps it interesting. 
Where would you invest a spare $750,000
I've normally been a high risk high returns type of person but now I have two kids at school and costs are continually growing so I think I would invest more cautiously in blue chip stocks like the CBA or BHP seeing the year on year profits these companies are making.
Which football team do you support? 
Queensland Reds and Brisbane Broncos
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget? 
I love my iPad. I read the paper on this most days and search the weather forecasts for the weekend when I go boating etc. 
How do you use social media?
I'm not overly into social media from a personal perspective, however I do ensure the <a href="https://twitter.com/JLLAustralia" target="_blank">JLL twitter account</a> always carries details of deals, commentaries and trends. How do I use social media? I don’t really. I haven't caught on to whole twitter thing but I do have a Facebook account now.  
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In profile: JLL's director - office leasing, Adam Barrett

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Name: Tom Doran<img src="/images/2014/04/02/tom-doran-profile.png" alt="" style="float: right;">
Position: Associate director - retail sales leasing and projects
Company: Doran Commercial
Office location: Neutral Bay - Sydney
How long have you been in the industry? 
13 years
What's happening in the area you specialise in? 
Retail investment stock continues to tighten buoyed by the low interest rates, falling retail vacancy and the influx of Asian investors.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold? 
10 years ago we sold the Stoned Crow at Crows Nest. The Stoned Crow was renowned for its "Cougar" segment of the market. Being a young impressionable 19 year old at the time i certainly had my eyes wide open when conducting late night inspections.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
Energy, empathy and enjoying yourself.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most? 
I love meeting an array of high successful and interesting people. From Wallabies, media celebrities and heart surgeons to Olympians, politicians, mums and dads
Where would you invest a spare $750,000? 
The retail investment market is strong currently. Traditionally investors prefer leased investment rather than vacant possession stock that has to be leased. With the retail leasing market strengthening buying retail strata and leasing can be highly profitable. Before purchasing vacant retail strata you need to ensure that the following is clarified before purchase
<ul>
<li>Access to grease trap and exhaust</li>
<li>What services are available into the shop</li>
<li>Are there any restrictions on usage or trading hours?</li>
</ul>
Which football team do you support?
The mighty Manly Sea Eagles. Go Manly!
What's your favourite app or techno gadget? 
The flashlight on my iphone is crucial in retail property. When entering older buildings or tenancies without power, this is a crucial part of the trade.
How do you use social media? 
We love social media in our office. We have made a commitment to keep our clients as up to date as possible with trends, forecasts and recent transactions. We have tried to break down our social media into segments so that we can provide information the median expects. Our rough rule of thumb is below
<ul>
<li>Linkedin - Strictly business</li>
<li>Facebook - Combination of business and fun</li>
<li>Instagram - Combination of business and fun</li>
</ul>
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In profile: Doran Commercial's associate director - retail sales leasing and projects, Tom Doran

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Agent name: Sam Brewer<img src="/images/2014/05/19/brewer-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Position: National director - head of metropolitan sales and investments 
Company: JLL
Office location: NSW
How long have you been in the industry?
I have been in the property industry since 2002. I began my career at Chesterton International as an industrial sales and leasing agent, and moved on to CBRE running their South Sydney Industrial team for two years.
I then spent several years in development before joining JLL in early 2010, initially running the Mascot business as head of office, South Sydney. As of 2014, I now run the NSW metropolitan sales and investments business.
What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
It’s no secret that residential development sites are absolutely booming in Sydney at the moment.
Both local and offshore (largely Asian) developers in particular are seeking large-scale development sites between 100 and 1,000 apartments. This has resulted in price growth of over 20% since late 2013 for such sites. We’re also seeing demand levels similar to those not seen since 2007 for suburban investment stock such as service stations and freestanding office buildings.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold.
There is a lot of growth in South Sydney, with prices moving quickly. In November last year I advised a client on a residential development site in Zetland that their site should sell for around $30 million in an open market environment. During the campaign we received over 100 enquiries and 10 offers, with an eventual sale price of $47.5 million – showing that when marketed properly in a rising market, anything is possible.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job? 
Having strong integrity is key to being successful in this role – you’ve only got one reputation. Your best clients are often your colleagues, so maintaining internal relationships is also really important.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
I love the varied characters we deal with in metropolitan sales. Many of the private investors and developers we deal with started their careers with very little and have built extreme wealth. There’s a lot to learn from them. 
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?  
If I was taking a conservative view of the market, I would probably invest in an art deco apartment in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. If I was taking an aggressive view of the market, I’d use it to put towards a residential development site within 20 kilometres of the Sydney CBD.
Which football team do you support?
I support the Brumbies.
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?
My Android smartphone.
You can connect with Sam on <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/pub/sam-brewer/37/246/594" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.
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In profile: JLL's national director - head of metropolitan sales and investments, Sam Brewer

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Agent: Andrew Fife <img src="/images/2014/05/05/fife-may-5-breakout.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Position: Industrial sales and leasing executive
Company: Colliers International
Office location: Perth
How long have you been in the industry?
Six years.
What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
We are seeing a correction in the market as a result of more stock, both for sale and for lease, becoming available.  Leasing is steady and deals are still being done with some incentives creeping into offers, but this is coming off an incentive base of nil. The sales sector is still being dominated by the owner-occupier market, as most properties are being offered for sale with vacant possession. Enquiry is very solid for investment-grade stock.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold?
Probably an irregular-shaped parcel of land which was directly under the flight path of approximately one commercial plane every 15 minutes. The planes flew directly overhead and so close to the property we had to wear ear plugs during inspections.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
Doing the basics right all the time – managing relationships with existing clients, but always looking to develop new relationships to instigate new business. Delivering on what you say, understanding the market and your client’s needs. 
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
Doing deals, but also delivering a result where you can see the client is pleased with what you have been able to achieve.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
I’d give it to PrimeWest – a property syndicator.
Which football team do you support?
West Coast.
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget? 
Footy Live
How do you use social media?
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-fife/64/812/856" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> to see what shenanigans Shane Warne is up to.
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In profile: Colliers International's industrial sales and leasing executive, Andrew Fife

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<img src="/images/2014/04/30/Carpinelli-april-28profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">Name: Rino Carpinelli
Position: Managing director
Company: Savills South Australia
Office location: Adelaide, SA
How long have you been in the industry?
In total approximately 33 years. 24 of those years with Savills, nine years with the Coles Group.
What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
I specialise in the capital transaction area which involves the sale of larger scale CBD office buildings and Shopping Centres. Adelaide is becoming an attractive market to invest in particularly when you consider the yield spread on quality leased investments relative to property sales in other states of Australia. At the moment, we are talking with a number of interested parties looking to invest in South Australia and this should continue as opportunities are becoming scarcer in some of the larger capital cities.
What is the most interesting property you have sold?
The most interesting property I have sold is Adelaide Central Plaza here in Rundle Mall, SA which is home to the David Jones Department Store. At the time it was a real leading edge, high quality retail facility and I am pleased to say that it maintains a fantastic presence in our city today. We ran an international campaign in conjunction with our Sydney office at the time and it showcased the opportunity and Adelaide to many investors.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
I believe there are two ingredients that you need to be successful.  Firstly, you need to understand the market and secondly you need to be an outstanding relationship builder to be very successful.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
I particularly like the fact that every day is different and also love the interaction that I have with our team and clients.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
I would use a spare $750,000 to invest in a well leased retail property that was anchored by a supermarket and a few specialty stores.
Which football team do you support?
Port Power (Port Adelaide)
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?
Financial Review app.
How do you use social media?
I enjoy <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/pub/rino-carpinelli/2b/76a/89a" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> which has been great to re-connect with people in the industry.
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In profile: Savills South Australia's managing director, Rino Carpinelli

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<img src="/images/2014/05/19/diston-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Agent: Brett Diston
Position: Director 
Agency: Ray White Commercial 
Office location: Manningham (Melbourne)
How long have you been in the industry? 
10 years
What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
We are achieving great results in the eastern corridor with the amount of infrastructure being implemented and the hunger for strong performing assets.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold or leased
Every property is different and needs to be analysed individually. However, more recently I have had the opportunity to list and sell a number of petrol station sites and businesses which has been very engaging for me to understand the depth of the businesses in finer detail.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
Honesty and giving sound advice, continue to add value to their asset and increase the net worth.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
Helping people to turn their underperforming assets into thriving investments which enables the client to have more options around their financial future. This is a very rewarding role that I am able to play.
Where would invest a spare $750,000?
I would look at all aspects of real estate whether it be residential, commercial or development sites, as long as I could foresee the value add potential.
Which football team do you support?
Essendon
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget? 
I have found the iPad mini to be extremely useful for both professional and personal use given the amount of applications available that relate to both.
How do you use social media? 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/brett-diston/57/826/467" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> is the only one I use professionally. I leave Facebook for personal use.
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In profile: Ray White Commercial's director, Brett Diston

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Property valuation and consultancy firm, LandMark White has appointed Chris Nicholl as its new chief executive. 
In appointing the 20 year real estate veteran, the board said Mr Nicoll's experience in strategic planning, project execution, his accumulated knowledge of professional real estate services, and markets across Asia
Pacific, would assist in "setting and implementing the future direction of LandMark White". 
Mr Nicolls takes over from Brad Piltz. 
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LandMark White appoint new CEO

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Agent: Tim Mutton<img src="/images/2014/04/22/Mutton-Tim-profielk.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Position: Director - investment services and office leasing
Company: Colliers International
Office location: Canberra
How long have you been in the industry?
Joined Colliers International as a graduate in 2003.
What's happening in the area you specialise in?
The increasing volume of capital looking for investment in Australian real estate markets has seen competition for commercial investment property increase. This has affected the majority of Australian Capital cities and Canberra is no different. Sales activity in the first quarter of 2014 has been strong and values are under upward pressure.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold 
In 2012 I was involved in the sale of an office building occupied by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in Albury, NSW. This property was built for ATO and was built with a number of features for the ATO. The property was attractive to a number of investors given the high quality tenant but given its regional location was different to anything seen in the market for some time. The property attracted local and international interest and saw spirited bidding.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
I strongly believe that to be a good agent you need an enquiring mind. You need to be able to think laterally and not be afraid to spend time understanding your clients and their properties. I also think you have to be patient. A lot of people get into Real Estate for rapid results but you need to spend time learning your market, understanding the personalities operating in it and then turning this information into winning investment ideas for your clients.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
Uncovering value for my clients in areas overlooked by the majority. The number of times we have had good investment and development properties available but people have overlooked them to follow the herd into substandard assets baffles me.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
While Canberra's leasing market appears slow there appears to be good value emerging for properties with leases ranging from three to five years. If I had a spare $750,000 I would look into something in the CBD or Barton and take advantage of the current low interest rates and likelihood that the current leasing market conditions are at rock bottom and expected to improve in coming months.
Which football team do you support?
ACT Brumbies, Canberra Raiders and GWS Giants.
What's your favourite app or techno gadget?
I would be lost without my Sharp EL 735 calculator. Very old fashioned but faster than any app I have found to calculate values.
How do you use social media?
I use social media to keep track of colleagues and friends but also to better understand my client's and customers. The amount of information available in social networks is growing exponentially and to be able to have this information at my fingertips is amazing.
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In profile: Colliers International's director - investment services and office leasing, Tim Mutton

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Agent: Peta Antoniou
<img src="/images/2014/04/07/Peta-Antoniou-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Position: Manager - South Sydney, industrial
Company: Knight Frank
Location: South Sydney
How long have you been in the industry?
I have worked in the property industry for five years, having started as a research analyst when I began my university degree then progressing into a sales and leasing role.
What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
Over the past 12 months especially, developments sites in South Sydney have become highly sought after. As a result the idea of South Sydney as a traditional industrial precinct has slowly diminished with increased amounts of residential development and amenity coming to the area.  We have also seen the adaptive re-use of existing buildings to creative workspaces evolve within the area. Warehouse conversions such as The Cannery in Rosebery completed approximately 24 months ago and The Woolstores in Alexandria due to complete mid 2014, are incredibly popular among tenants in South Sydney and city fringe locations.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold 
The most interesting property I have sold was 242 Young Street Waterloo. This 1,600 square metre freestanding building features creative office/showroom and warehouse. The building has the potential to be occupied in one line or split into four creative spaces. The mixed use zoning allowed for a wide number of permissible uses and it was interesting to work with each purchasers particular requirements. The building was sold to the International Screen Academy who established their educational facility in the building.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
Drive, determination and passion. I think people like dealing with people who show they take a genuine interest in solving their property requirements. Attention to detail and follow up are also incredibly important.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
The diversity my role offers is what I enjoy most. No two clients, prospects or properties are alike. Each day is different with new challenges, opportunities and things to learn.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
I would buy a residential property.
Which football team do you support?
South Sydney Rabbitohs.
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?
My favourite app is Timeout Sydney. The app shows you the best restaurants, cafes, bars and gigs happening in certain locations along with reviews of each place.
How do you use social media?
I am not a huge social media guru, but I use social media to keep in touch with friends and clients.
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