Ian & Maree Smith – Hidden Grove & Vista on Brays
2022 ARAMA TOP Awards WINNER for Resident Manager of the Year – Long Stay Accommodation
Who is involved in the daily running’s of your business?
Ian and I are both very hands on in our business. Ian focuses on maintenance, and I focus on the property management/sales side of the business. However, we both support each other daily. Depending on the day we step in to help each other regularly. Ian is very good with
tenants and my hedging skills are not too bad either. However, I have been known to make a good hedging mess and leave before the clean-up. Our boys 15 and 17 sometimes get roped into helping when needed too. They have become very skilled in mowing and hedging.
How long have you been in MR or/and this property?
Just over two years. The first year was very hard. Getting to know our tenants and owners very quickly. Covid hit a couple of weeks in, and everyone went inside their shells. It was very hard to see what tenants we had and the condition of the properties. That’s where our Facebook pages and competitions for tenants began. The aim was to get people out and
communicating with us as new managers. We needed to learn who our clients and customers were to be able to service them efficiently.
Why did you decide to choose MR or/and this property?
Prior to purchasing the business, we had a very transient lifestyle chasing oil and gas construction work. The idea of residential management rights appealed to both of our skill sets and the need for stability for our boys to complete their education. It took over two years for us to settle on the right business. We are certainly glad we took the time to pick the perfect match for us.
What are you most passionate about?
This is a service industry. We aim to be the best of the best. It’s taken us a couple of years to learn our customers and client’s needs. Service is key! If you don’t know your customer or client, how can you possibly provide them with superior service? We are passionate about picking the right tenant for the right property and owner regardless of the market. The work completed in the tenant selection process is priceless.
What are some lowlights and highlights of your time in MR?
The first year is the hardest. The battles are real. You live with these people. You second guess your training, your experience and of course your common sense. You learn people are unreasonable. You learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses. You battle one day and get rewarded the next. You learn the phrase “The old mangers said this” even if they didn’t. At the end of the day if you have tried your best, you’re winning. Over time you learn those who make noise are not always right. Quietly in the background, are your best tenants, keeping to themselves and thinking “Thank you”. Over time those perfect tenants come out, then new move in and before you know it, the noise stops and its quiet. Then you hear the whispers of “Thank you, we love it here”. That’s when you know, you are where you need to be.
Why did you join ARAMA?
We felt the need to join a network of like-minded people. We have pleasantly surprised by the number of resources and support available for onsite mangers. Given the high threat of outside agents threatening the industry we think it is important to band together with ideas and training on how to protect our businesses.
What is your top tip for our ARAMA resident managers?
Reach out and ask for help if you need. You’re not alone in the industry. Coming from a property management office you have multiple people to bounce ideas off. Once you purchase your business you feel alone and not sure who to call for daily information. Use the ARAMA network to reach out and ask questions. A problem always becomes less stressful once it’s talked out.
This article was contributed by ARAMA.
You can find more information at: https://www.arama.com.au/