Turner Real Estate Managing Director Lachlan Turner has ridden all the highs and lows of the South Australian property market during his 15 years in the industry.
As the Managing Director of one of South Australia's largest independent real estate agencies, Lachlan Turner's role is about people as much as it is property.
The Turner Real Estate stalwart has built up a loyal following of clients and agents within Adelaide since beginning his real estate career more than 15 years ago.
What first led you to get involved in real estate?
After a career in financial planning, I was conscious of how critical real estate was to personal wealth and how property investment really is a cornerstone to financial stability. My father was a valuer and later a real estate agent and his invitation at the right time took me into a residential sales career (and later buying part of the business and moving into a leadership role)
What was the market like in South Australia when you first got involved?
The market was on the up with low interest rates and the boom of the first homeowners grant. However, as a newbie in the industry, for me, it was building my database and learning the ropes. I was out door-knocking, cold calling and learning processes. After a few years when my career started to take off. The market was tough, but that taught me strong fundamentals of always prospecting, listening to clients and offering exemplary client service, which has been a cornerstone of referral business.
How do you gauge success in your current role?
Leading a large team, it’s about shared success and that involves seeing others reach and exceed their own goals, and also sharing in the business success and providing service that others rave about. We are very proud of our Google rating and how people value the services we provide.
Has the role of an agent changed since you first became involved?
Absolutely – both buyers and sellers are more time sensitive than ever, which is trend across all industries. But with this, we have a lot of tools that allow us to be more flexible and work without boundaries. So I feel that a win-win for clients and the agent. That said, the core of providing amazing service is what will always make you successful. That’s what people genuine value and remember. In many ways, it’s the ‘how’ that’s changed.
What advice would you have for people coming into the industry?
Real estate is about people not property. Be prepared to have 100 different challenges in one day. You must be prepared to be rejected, but focus on the yes comments and you will thrive. As you progress, the yes’ come more and the no’s come around less.
What's the key to fostering long-term relationships with clients?
Always know your local market, focus on what you know is important to them and be genuine – you can’t fake genuine.
What's your forecast for the Adelaide market for the rest of the year?
Adelaide is incredibly resilient and always produces a good stable result. While we don’t’ have the highs, we don’t have the lows, and with this, buyers and sellers can transact with confidence. This year will be characterised by ‘steady as she goes’.
Is there anything you haven't achieved that you aiming to accomplish?
Supporting more people to crack into real estate and mentor them through that experience to success – I love real estate and the challenges and benefits that it offers and want to share that with others too
What is the proudest moment of your career to date?
Being invited to be the Managing Director of the company, one of Adelaide’s largest independents, and being recognised by national trainers as a leader such as Lee Woodward – I see it as a challenge to stay at the top of a competitive field where there are many great other operators.
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