As one of the judges of the Realestate.com.au agent of the year award for 2008, I attended the presentation function in Melbourne last night. The REA Manager of emerging Business, Shaun DiGregorio, introduced the winners of each state and outlined why they won the award.  The final Agent of The Year  winner was Martin Ollard from Black & Young Real Estate Burleigh Heads in Queensland. Martin and his wife Debra  were very pleased with the prize of a $10,000 trip to the National Associaton of Realtors convention in Orlando Florida in November of this year.

What was interesting about this years award (the third year of the award), was the increasing professionalism of the winners. Martin was nominated by a client who was looking for a property on the Gold Coast with specific requirements. Martin went out and knocked on every door in the area required and could not find a property that totally matched the clients needs.  He then reviewed what was for sale, found a property with a good location and then developed a strategy to demolish and build exactly to the clients specifications.  This included preliminary estimates from a builder.  The clients loved the proposal and bought the property.  This does show hard working professionalism to fulfill the needs of the buyer and the seller.

This award has increased in popularity each year and is unique in that the customer has to take the time to register and write the details.  Many agents actively solicit responses from their customers for this competition, however for the customer to take the time is a whole other issue. Martin should now leverage heavily off this award, as should any award winner, to gain improved profile.  Well done Martin.

Shaun DiGregorio (REA) Martin Ollard (REA agent of the year)

State Nominees REA agent of the year award.

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