LIFE 5 People You Need To Know
GETTING THE
‘ELITE’ TREATMENT Words by Michael Serenc | Photo by Silvia Mogorovich
WHEN it comes to buying or selling your home, there is no shortage of real estate agents to choose from in a market like Cairns. But if you are seeking a thorough and professional organisation who always puts the client first, look no further than Elite Real Estate Services Cairns. With a dedicated team of 13 sales agents and 7 support staff, Elite Real Estate Services director of sales Karl Latham has been building a culture of professional excellence since taking over the business with Managing Director and Principal Licensee, Troy McGuane, 12 months ago. “One of the key things we do is a focus on customer service. We wanted to really set ourselves apart and be the leaders for real estate in Cairns,” Karl said. “Many long-standing real estate principals have built their businesses over the years and now we get the opportunity to make our mark.
Karl Latham & Damien McLeod Elite Real Estate Services Cairns
“We really want to take it to the next level. Helping people achieve their lifestyle dreams is our mantra.” Elite Real Estate Services is a “full service” real estate firm, providing buying, selling, rental and commercial services to a variety of clients. Their success has allowed them to capitalise on a wave of new development in Cairns, after being appointed as a sales agent for the $550 million Aspial Nova Towers development in the CBD. “Within the last 12 months, we have been the most productive real estate agency in Cairns,” Karl said. “Overall property sales volume in Cairns is down nine per cent, however our numbers are up nine per cent so we’re bucking the trend. “We also sold the most dollar amount of real estate in Cairns over the last 12 months by almost 10 per cent with less staff
CairnsLife 18 Magazine
and less sales compared to our competitors, so our median price was higher.” With both the Sydney and Melbourne property markets overheated, Karl said Cairns was a perfect market for southern investors looking to purchase a property “with a higher yield and growth potential”. Helping to enhance the buyer experience is Elite Real Estate Services Buyers Director Damien McLeod, who ensures clients are matched with the perfect property that fits their specific needs at the right price. “You need to be able to understand the client and what they need,” he explained. “The main focus is building rapport and trust with the client.”