Verve talks real estate with Erin Whiting.
How long have you been in real estate?
I’ve been in residential sales at Barfoot & Thompson, Ponsonby, for three years. I was previously head PA to several of our top sales agents, which was the kind of education money can’t buy.
Do you work with properties in just one suburb?
Having grown up in Herne Bay, I wanted to be based in Ponsonby, but I sell throughout Auckland. I feel so passionate about where I live after years travelling and setting up homes in Asia and the Middle East. I know the greater Ponsonby suburbs and Western Bays intimately, and can’t get enough of their cosmopolitan, cool and exciting vibe.
How did lockdown effect you?
Lockdown was non-stop, to put it mildly! We went in with auctions and listings on the go, and with the market still strong. We were able to work closely with vendors and purchasers and had some successful sales. We have a fantastic online auction tool to register potential purchasers to bid online while watching the auction live. It was a challenge, but a hugely satisfying one with some fantastic outcomes.
How easy – or difficult – is getting listings?
It’s one of the things I love most about real estate as I love working with people and getting the best results possible for my vendors. I’m adaptable, so once I understand people’s needs and wants, the sky’s the limit. Listening without judgement is essential, allowing potential clients to open up and trust me.
How do you build client relationships to ensure their needs are met?
It comes down to relationship-building. I love my job – it helps that I’m obsessed with interiors – and pride myself on getting the best from a home. But it’s people’s stories that really motivate me. Taking the time to hear their hopes and dreams makes for amazing working relationships. I ensure clients receive the right advice and strategy for each property. You only get one chance to get a premium price for your property, and I’m here to help deliver that.
Is having finance ready the easiest way to purchase a house?
The pandemic has taught people to always be prepared. Many do their due diligence before even viewings and have a fair idea about what they can and can’t do, which benefits everybody. I have close relationships with mortgage brokers and finance advisers, and they are finding the same.
Are buyers more particular?
Again, they’re just better-informed. As an agent I love that – I get to work with savvy vendors and the well-read people interested in their properties. Both sides know exactly what they want and are willing to put in the work alongside me to achieve that.
How do you feel about the market quietening down?
I don’t think it is, and neither do my vendors. Everything’s still selling, and people are as excited about property as ever. As a gutsy negotiator, I dedicate myself to going above and beyond, ensuring clients achieve exactly what they need – and the best possible outcome – every time.
Is home staging still prevalent?
Yes. The right staging can add significant value to a home, allowing potential buyers to see it at its best. Staging creates an aspirational home for prospective buyers to emotionally connect with. Your four walls become their dream, with all the extra engagement that entails.
What do you enjoy most about real estate?
It’s such a fast-paced and exciting industry, but we’d be nowhere without people. I view my role as taking clients on one of the most important journeys of their life, serving as a problem solver and confidante. I’m supporting people through important life decisions and creating long-term relationships that endure well beyond the first sale.
