"The various property management functions are like many cogs in a wheel; every area of PM is crucial to the wheel turning smoothly."
Senior Portfolio Partner with The Agency, Annie Yeo has over twenty years of corporate, marketing and property portfolio management experience.
With an MBA in Marketing, market knowledge, and solid grounding at the Real Estate Institute of NSW plus as a licensed real estate agent, Annie understands and is committed to facilitating and effecting a seamless portfolio client experience by consistently going that 'extra mile'.
Annie’s advocacy for grass roots customer service is also reflected in her love of cookbooks – understanding the methodology of getting something prepared, looking at the professional photos, and reading the authors’ stories and origins.
WILLIAMS MEDIA spoke to Annie Yeo about her career in property management.
What do you enjoy most about your career?
Every day is different. The fundamentals of property management remain the same, but underlying each day are different challenges that constantly push us to think on our feet in order to find the best possible solutions for our clients – both our landlords and tenants within the framework of legislation.
I enjoy the feeling of satisfaction when issues get resolved, be they big or small.
How do you maintain a great relationship with your clients?
I call it the C squared factor (C2) – communication and care. Communicating with my clients helps build great relationships, and showing care helps build trust. Integrity and listening to the client are also key ingredients of this C2 factor.
What is the best advice you have given a landlord?
Always have landlord insurance to protect your biggest asset. It does not cost a lot relatively, but really protects their interests.
What is the best advice you have given a tenant?
To have open communication with us, we are here to help.
Has COVID 19 changed the rental market or your role?
COVID has affected the rental market in unprecedented ways. Many metro tenants, for example, were moving away for a sea change. Some areas like North Sydney had become a ‘tumbleweed town’. However, we are just starting to see those sea changers return to the metro area as they gradually return to work and to the office.
Also, at the start of COVID with more people working from home, tenants were upgrading themselves to bigger properties with additional space for a study or home office.
On a company level, during the COVID period The Agency has been able to adapt quickly and proactively. A lot of our processes went online and have become cloud based. This has enabled us to maintain, if not surpass, our efficiency and effectiveness in servicing our clients.
On this basis, and at a personal work role level, it has perhaps lent a greater degree of flexibility and agility in terms of increased work-life balance and even quicker client response times, respectively. This has only served to increase satisfaction for both myself and my clients.
What drives you every day?
To always be the best version of myself every day. Just as the sun rises every morning, it’s a fresh start every day. Think positive and do my absolute best in everything – for myself, family, work and friends.
What advice do you give someone considering Property Management as a career?
We learn a lot about legislation and the fundamentals of property management in the classroom. And, while there are a lot of processes and procedures we need to follow, the key elements of success are the C2 factor (C squared factor) and being ready to work as a team. The various property management functions are like many cogs in a wheel; every area of PM is crucial to the wheel turning smoothly. If we are not team players, the wheel will not move forward smoothly.
What personal hobbies/interests outside of real estate do you enjoy?
I love reading cookbooks – I enjoy getting to know the methodology of getting something prepared and looking at the professional photos, especially when there are stories on the author’s journey on creating the book, the origin of the recipe etc. I also love to cook for my family and friends.
My other love is travelling. I enjoy planning for holidays, researching places to visit, accommodation, and experiencing different cultures and foods - this may well be my retirement aspiration!