Meet Samantha Shell - Sales Secretary

What sparked your interest in real estate?

My dad is a real estate agent and has been since I can remember. When I was little I would often go in to his office and watch him do auctions on a Saturday.

How long have you been with Abercromby's?

It will be six years in June.

What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before?

I am currently working towards buying my first home so hopefully that will happen in the next twelve months.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?

“Do what you love, love what you do”, “those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind” and “always salt your pasta water”.

If you could only choose 3 apps on your phone which ones would you keep?

Phone, Spotify, Safari.

What was the last book you read, or gifted?

The Dry by Jane Harper – highly recommend.

How do you maintain work/life balance?

I exercise almost every day which is my “me time” and I try to make sure I’m switching off from work completely when I’m away from the office.

Meet Ed Royle - Sales Executive

What sparked your interest in real estate?

I have always held an interest in property; however, it was one of my best mates’ older brother who really bought the realisation of real estate being a career path.

How long have you been with Abercromby's?

I have been with the Abercromby’s team just over 2 months.

How do you achieve success with your clients?

By being honest, enthusiastic and available whenever needed.

What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before?

Sell my own listing is at the top of my list, of course.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?

I think the best advice I have been given is to think about your approach, always ensure that you have put everything into each day, as the outcome will be ever so rewarding.

If you could only choose 3 apps on your phone which ones, would you keep?

Phone, Instagram, Music

How do you maintain work/life balance?

It is obviously a bit of a challenge at such a young age. I ensure I make the most of my time outside of work hours to see my friends and family, which is really important.

Meet Hamish Palmer-Hill - Sales Executive

How long have you been with Abercromby's?

3 years, 30 to go.

What sparked your interest in real estate?

I’ve worked in property my whole life, from labouring in construction jobs at a young age, through to subdivision and planning.

How do you achieve success with your clients or in your role with Abercromby's?

Honesty and realism, this resonates with buyers and sellers alike.

What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before?

Have a Covid vaccine.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?

My father always told me to grab every opportunity with both hands.

What is your favourite sports team?

The Melbourne Demons

What advice would you give someone who wants to work at Abercromby's?

You have two ears and one mouth, use them proportionately.

What is one fact about you that makes you unique?

I’ve lived in 8 different suburbs of Melbourne in the last 10 years.

What is the best thing that has happened to you in the last year?

I bought a renovators-delight.

What was your dream job when you were younger?

I wanted to be an Architect; I still have a keen interest in architecture.

Meet Sam McCrae - Property Manager

How long have you been with Abercrombys?

I have been with Abercromby’s 7 months.

What sparked your interest in real estate and property management?

I have always had a strong interest in property and found property management aligned with the type of career I was hoping for.

How do you achieve success with your clients or in your role with Abercromby's?

A warm approach and exceptional negotiation skills.

What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before?

My goal is to become a first time home owner this year.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?

Live like anything is a possibility.

What’s the most important achievement you hope to accomplish in your current role?

The smooth transition on the new rentals legislation this March.

How do you maintain work/life balance?

Live to work and work to live…

Meet Jack Richardson - Senior Sales Executive & Auctioneer

How long have you been with Abercromby’s?

I joined the Abercromby’s team roughly 18 months ago.

What sparked your interest in real estate?

A good friend who was in real estate pushed me to explore real estate as a career, as he thought I’d be a good fit. The more I found out about the industry, the more I thought he could be right! I love meeting a whole range of different people, the competition and the reward of achieving great results.

How do you achieve success with your clients or in your role with Abercromby's?

I could go on for a while with this one but it’s through my systems and processes that ensure nothing slips through the cracks and not a single dollar is left on the table for my clients. I’m diligent with my approach, enthusiastic when selling and importantly have a genuine passion for the industry which means I’m happy to be available 24/7.

What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before?

My wife and I have just had our first baby, so the focus for the next 12 months is try and work out how to be a parent!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?

I think some of the best advice I’ve received is pretty simple but it’s just to do your best every single day. If you can get to the end of the day and honestly say you’ve done everything to the best of your ability and not taken any shortcuts, you’re well on your way. The other advice I’ve been given which I turn to often, is that if you focus on the process, the outcome will look after itself.

What’s the most important achievement you hope to accomplish in your current role?

Becoming a leader in the team is definitely something I’m hoping to accomplish by setting an example and also helping to guide the team to future success.

How do you maintain work/life balance?

It is always a challenge but one of my big things is being as efficient as possible while I’m in the office, so I can be home at a reasonable hour to spend time with my wife and daughter. I’m always up early also to make sure I exercise, as I feel this puts me in a positive headspace for the day ahead.

Meet Tatiana Marcelin - Head of Department Property Management!

How long have you been with Abercromby’s?

3years (left briefly to scratch the itch in the Marketing and Commercial Real Estate world and came back)

What sparked your interest in real estate and property management?

I had a strong desire to become an interior designer growing up, but it was not really such a thing back then in Mauritius. I remember reading international French magazines and saying to myself, I love houses and architecture and that was what I wanted to do then. When I moved to Australia 11 years ago, I took on studies into Interior Design and architecture, however I naturally gravitated towards Real Estate (despite working in Design and with renowned architects), especially property management – it was more so the problem solving and project management side of it that attracted me and my love for homes, big or small is still very much present.

How do you achieve success with your clients or in your role with Abercromby's?

Communication and knowledge! I find that the more you communicate with your clients and tenants the better the relationship – no one likes to be left in the unknown, especially in time of crisis.

Being successful in my role means to be on top of any regulation changes, what is happening in the market place, not just in our state but around Australia. I suppose the more knowledge you acquire the better placed you are to assist others in their property demands.

What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before?

A bit of a personal challenge – running a full marathon and not being so harsh on myself if I fail during the process. I have always been a runner, but had a nasty leg injury last year and I am still recovering from it.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?

Problems don’t go away unless they are dealt with. So don’t bury your head in the sand thinking that things will magically sort themselves out. I live by this.

What’s the most important achievement you hope to accomplish in your current role?

Leading by example and carrying my team to success. Seeing them thrive and become masters of their crafts. There’s something so rewarding about seeing your team achieve their goals.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?

Disconnecting after hours – it took me years to understand the concept and don’t get me wrong I still fall for it from time to time – Real Estate does consume a big part of your life, especially if you are a perfectionist and obsessive about it, but I try as much as possible to be physically and emotionally present for my family when I am not at work.

"I was brought up on a large station in New South Wales and you often watch sheep as a mob, trotting off across the paddock. One sheep will lead and the rest of the flock will follow. I always thought why do they do that? Coming up with the concept of a private auction was not necessarily my idea. It was more of my client’s idea. The client had been through a bereavement and had a beautiful home with a magnificent art collection and really did not want the invasion of a public campaign. And I thought lightbulb moment, we can work with this idea. It is how do we turn that into reality for this particular client and talk more about what our clients want rather than what I want as an estate agent. I remember my grandmother always used to print these beautiful invitations for parties she used to host on a regular basis. So, I thought maybe we could use the idea of a nice invitation with the right clientele, still publicise and promote the property, and then at the end of the exercise have an auction by invitation. That success story was fabulous. I think we got a really good outcome for our client. I think a lot of our peers were pretty surprised in the way we carried that through. It certainly got the marketplace talking. You know that you are in a dominant marketplace and if you don’t dare to do things differently and think outside of the square, then you are likely to get squashed. And I have that fighting instinct, so I am always looking for new ideas and concepts that are going to help us develop."

LISTEN to Jock's story here:

#abercrombysrealestate #aimhigh #staytrue #betrue #exceptional #Luxury #property #prestige

#luxuryandLifestyle #premiumproperty #melbourneproperty #propertymarket

#realestate #luxuryandlifestyleproperty #luxurylifestylerealestate #abercrombys #luxuryhomes

#melbourne #relationships #premium #commited #abercrombysteam #melbre

Earlier this year Abercromby’s Charitable Fund donated towards the Royal Flying Doctors Outback Car Trek and we are very happy to report that the 2018 Trek has raised just on $1.45m - Well done to all those involved. www.outbackcartrek.com.au

We are excited to announce the launch of ‘Middleton’, 16 luxury residences designed by Rob Mills and outdoor spaces beautifully landscaped by Jack Merlo.
Find out more here: https://www.middletonmalvern.com.au/

Domaine Lane is an address of distinction. Accessed by an exclusive residents’ only lane, next to historic Elibanc House, this boutique collection of seven large-scale,
north-facing residences offers spaces offers scale and privacy. Click on picture to see more:

#south Yarra #comingsoon @bmfconstruction #bmfresidential #abercrombys #domainelane #mydomaine

Estate in Evans Court, Toorak, priced above $45 million poised to break Victorian house price record

One of Melbourne’s most reclusive and wealthy families is selling an extravagant Toorak estate, a collection of mansions expected to fetch up to $50 million.

The six houses were amassed into one portfolio by the former head of BP, James Stafford-Fox, and his wife Moyna. The couple bought the grand mansion at 15 Evans Court and then spent nearly two decades accumulating five neighbouring properties, creating an exclusive compound in the city’s richest pocket.

After their death, the estate was bought in 2013 by the Roche family for an undisclosed sum, all of which was donated to funding dementia research.
 
Read more here: https://www.domain.com.au/news/estate-in-evans-court-toorak-priced-above-45-million-poised-to-break-victorian-house-price-record-20180125-h0oaks/

** Please note our office will be closed for business from 2.00pm Friday 22nd December 2017 and will re-open 9.00am Tuesday 2nd January 2018**

If you have any EMERGENCY maintenance issues during this time, please call the appropriate 24 hours tradesperson below. 
Please so ensure you notify us via email that you have contacted them.

Plumbing – Esteem Group ph: 1300 791 780
Electrical – Master Maintenance Property Services ph: 0488 725 566
Electrical – Esteem Group ph: 1300 791 780
Other Maintenance – Master Maintenance Property Services ph: 0488 725 566
Other Maintenance – Esteem Group ph: 1300 791 780
Flood Restoration – Flood Emergency Services ph: 0421 554 338
Flood Restoration – CBD & Mega Property Services ph: 9457 7444

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Last night Abercromby's hosted an event at the 85 Spring Street, display suite. Our guest were immersed in the sights, sounds and beautiful views from this magnificent development, which is a complete work of art. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who made this a truly memorable night.

 More details on this property, click here https://www.abercrombys.com.au/melbourne-ab3952/

 Melbourne ’s leafy inner eastern suburb of Hawthorn and surrounds, with a run of prestige homes changing hands recently and agents tipped to stay busy until Christmas.
Good demand has been supporting prices, with buyers drawn to the convenient location and access to sought-after schools. But stock levels are subdued.
The broader residential market has been slowing, but the best homes in top locations are still drawing keen interest.

Three standout Hawthorn homes have traded in one week for a combined value of about $35 million through agency Kay and Burton.
The landmark sale was a five-bedroom residence on more than 3300sq m on Harcourt Street, Hawthorn East.

Dating to 1891 and designed by architect John Beswicke, who was also behind the Hawthorn Town Hall building, the restored home has contemporary features including swimming pool, tennis court and sauna.
The dining room has a black marble fireplace, the kitchen houses an eight-burner hotplate and double oven, while residents can enjoy a library and a conservatory.
Industry sources tipped the final sale price for the home at more than $16m.

Elsewhere, a four-bedroom home with working boutique vineyard at 32 Coppin Grove, Hawthorn, nearby former Australia Post boss Ahmed Fahour’s mansion, also changed hands.
The property is set on more than 8000sq m with Yarra River frontage and is home to family business Coppin Grove Wines, which makes Coppin Grove Sparkling from pinot noir and chardonnay grapes.
The sale price was more than $10m, industry sources say.

At 55 Hawthorn Grove, Hawthorn, a four-bedroom residence sold for a rumoured $8m-plus, with touches such as a Versailles-inspired foyer, glass spa and internal lift.
Rose gold taps, a marble kitchen plus butler’s pantry with Gaggenau ovens, a glass-walled gymnasium and six-car garage complete the home.
Kay and Burton partner Sam Wilkinson says it was “reasonably rare” to have the three landmark Hawthorn area properties on the market together but the results were a sign of a strong market.
“We’ve found the better-quality houses that have been offered to the marketplace have all sold under competition and that’s a sign that people are confident in the family homes market in and around the area,” Wilkinson tells The Weekend Australian.

“For the right property, people are willing to part with big dollars to secure those homes.”
But buyers had been “discerning and selective”, and the $2m-$4m segment of the market had “softened a touch”, with properties taking slightly longer to sell, he says.
Stock levels had been reasonable but not “over the top” as some prospective vendors were concerned about finding their next property to buy.
The agency has now listed 58 Mary Street, Hawthorn, with expectations of $4.9m-$5.39m, and 6 Oak Street, Hawthorn, with expectations of $3.5m-$3.85m.
The average house price in Hawthorn is $1.985m, according to realestate.com.au figures, up 43 per cent since 2014.
With the market picking up, vendor expectations have also been rising and homes were still selling for hefty premiums, RT Edgar Boroondara director and auctioneer Paul Walker says.
“It is pretty competitive and we’d usually run to auction. There’s been about three to four bidders at every auction, sometimes more,” Walker adds.
Buyers are drawn to the area’s proximity to the CBD, nearby private schools and cafe culture, he says, adding he expects to be busy until the summer break with new listings still coming online.

The agency has listed the former wedding venue at 867 Glenferrie Road, Kew, on the Hawthorn border, which last traded for $11.3m one year ago and now has expectations of $13m-$14.3m.
Abercromby’s director Jock Langley says homes in the area that had sold less than five years ago for $2.5m-$3m were now trading for $5.5m and $7m.
The agency sold the six-bedroom Victorian home at 49 Lisson Grove, Hawthorn, this winter for $7.65m and has now listed 42 Hawthorn Grove, Hawthorn, with a price of $6.2m-$6.82m.
Jellis Craig co-founder Alastair Craig says off-market sales had been stronger than usual, an average of about two a week in the Boroondara council region over the past 12 months. Banks are more willing to lend to buyers in areas such as Hawthorn that are considered more of a “safe bet” than other parts of the city, he says.

Read article here: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/home-design/prestige-property/hawthorn-prestige-homes-bloom-this-spring/news-story/f0307b8222960744a0e06547d5e9432b

What to see this weekend: The best properties on show in Melbourne.

https://www.domain.com.au/news/what-to-see-this-weekend-the-best-properties-on-show-in-melbourne-20171110-gzbs9h/

1/1 Alexandra Avenue, South Yarra - $1.55 million-$1.7 million
2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 car spaceThe triple-A ring to this address underlines its enviable location on a prominent corner. The elevated ground-floor apartment, newly renovated, looks west from an enclosed sunroom to the Botanic Gardens and north, from a secure porch and through the living room’s picture window, to the 1899 Morell Bridge over the Yarra. Step from the kitchen to a courtyard with pool and barbecue area shared with others in the boutique 1920s building.Auction: 11.30am, November 18
Agent: Abercromby’s, Ada Taylor 0428 058 880

Last Thursday evening Abercromby's hosted an event at Quaff restaurant raising money for our chosen charities Secondbite and beyondblue. Amanda Elliot who is the first female Chairman of the Victorian Racing Club in its 153 year history was our guest speaker and she regaled our 40 odd female clients/advocates of Abercromby’s. 

A special thank you to Amanda Elliott and milliner Penelope D’Alton who both helped provide an entertaining evening for all to enjoy.

FORMER news anchor Helen Kapalos is selling her stylish apartment in Collingwood’s sought-after Foy & Gibson precinct.

Exposed brickwork, soaring timber ceilings, rustic floorboards and a loft bedroom are highlights of the chic two-bedroom pad at 11/109 Oxford St.

The warehouse conversion, in the former factory’s “Bohemia” building, has a price guide of $980,000 to $1.078 million and will be auctioned on July 22.

Read the Herald Sun article here: http://www.realestate.com.au/news/news-just-in-helen-kapalos-lists-cool-warehouse-conversion-in-collingwood/?rsf=syn%3Anews%3Anca%3Ahs%3Asocref