How I Became - a Real Estate Agent w/ Annabel Marshall.

Welcome to the ‘How I Became’ series where Billie talks to girls across New Zealand who are killing it in their chosen career and see how they got there!

Trying to decide what you ‘want to be when you grow up’ is hard enough as it is and your careers counsellor probably won’t have all the answers you need.

HIB aims to give you a bit of insight into different career paths and what it takes to get there.

Name: Annabel Marshall

Age: 25

Job title: Real Estate Agent

Current job: Bayleys Real Estate Sales Person

Firstly, what drew you to real estate?

I knew I wanted to be a real estate agent from about the young age of 10. My parents worked and owned real estate businesses, so really there was only one option for me!

What subjects did you take in high school that you think helped?

Business Studies and of course Drama…

What did your pathway towards starting your career look like?

My pathway towards real estate started at a young age. I used to watch my parents auctions every Wednesday night, I was always out delivering flyers and stuffing envelopes for my parents.

First year out of University I got my real estate licence. I worked one year in the admin team, which gave a more in-depth understanding of the processes.

What did you study/where/how long did it take?

I did a Bachelor of Arts in Media Film & Communications and Marketing for 3 years at the University of Otago, finishing in 2018. In 2019 I got my real estate licence, straight into it!

What’s the best thing about your job?

The best part about being in real estate is being a part of finding people their dream home. It is so rewarding knowing that I've helped people at such an exciting time in their life.

What’s the hardest part?

It's all about finding the right work / life blend. Sometimes it can be a little tricky. 2022 has been a challenging year in real estate so budgeting and facing adversity full on has taught me a lot.

What surprised you most about your job once you started working?

There wasn't a huge amount of surprises, as I grew up with parents who were already in the industry. My childhood consisted of mum and dad always taking phone calls and working weekends, so I knew what I was getting myself into.

What does an average day look like for you?

Up at 6am, gym then head into the office, phone calls, call backs, vendor reports and appointments in the afternoon. At the end of the day, I like to unwind and take my dog Salty for a short walk around the neighbourhood.

What advice would you give to those looking to follow a similar career path?

It is a long game, but it is so worth it. Be prepared to make sacrifices and put in the hard yards and be ready and open to all opportunities. And always, have fun!

What are the biggest challenges in your opinion to getting into real estate?

It’s competitive and losing a listing opportunity is disappointing but I reflect on where I can improve. Commission-based business can also be tough at times.

What kind of skills does your job require?

Listen, listen, listen to what your clients and buyers want. It’s an enormous responsibility selling a home so detail, knowing your market, keeping informed and being able to offer sound advice that’s factual and real. You need to be able to build rapport and most importantly trust.

What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction?

Being in a position to help buyers and sellers move on with exciting new chapters in their life.

What’s an unexpected element to your job that people don’t realise you have to do?

Taking your client through the process of selling their biggest asset involves a lot of emotion, at times it is our role to support by making the process as stress free as possible. You also have to be very dedicated to providing a service to your clients, this often means cancelling social events or holidays.

Describe your job in three words

I love it. 

Watch Annabel work on the new Bravo show Rich Listers, starting Thursday September 15th.