By Tessa Mapstone
The property market within Noosa and the Sunshine Coast has boomed in recent years, and the number of real estate professionals has boomed along with it.
Census data has revealed a 22 per cent growth in the number of real estate agents working in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast since the 2011 census – rising from 2272 to 2775 in 2016.
And women make up 59 per cent of all workers in the property operators and real estate services category in the region.
Century 21 Conolly Hay Group agent Rachel Sellman is among those women making their mark in the soaring industry.
Coming from a family (the Clout family) heavily involved in building, design and development, Mrs Sellman was always interested in the industry and worked in a range of roles from sales administration to permanent rentals, holiday rentals and as a personal assistant, but she never imagined she would become one of the local industry’s most sought-after agents and top performers.
“I’ve been very fortunate since starting in the role of sales,” she said.
Mrs Sellman said her success as a sales agent came after learning every aspect of the business over many years.
“I do think that you need to have a background in real estate and the property market,” she said.
“I’ve always been encouraged and supported by my principals and colleagues.
“It is very important to have the right mentor to guide you in this industry.”
Real Estate Institute of Queensland chief executive officer Antonia Mercorella said the growth in agent numbers aligned with expectations, considering how well the market had been performing.
“We know that the profession grows when the market is performing well and the over the past five years the Queensland real estate market has delivered steady, sustainable growth, particularly in the southeast corner,” she said.
“It’s a great job for communicators and generally speaking, women are considered to be great communicators.
“It’s a career that can fit around the commitments of kids and family and this has proven especially attractive to women.
“Equally, this is a career that is very well suited to men, who find that it is a career that rewards the effort that is put in – basically it’s a great career choice for both men and women!”
