By KATHY SALTER
Two of New South Wales’ most established agencies talk about their history, and how REINSW has helped them along the way and positioned them to face future challenges with confidence.
Creer Property
Celebrating its 150th anniversary last year, Newcastle-based Creer Property is one of the oldest real estate agency in New South Wales, but it also has one of the most vital and energetic management teams in the business. Jacob Hosking became a Partner at the age of 28 and Andrew Kaprilian followed suit at 35, with Luke Frendo and Dayle Eveleigh also joining as Partners in 2022, alongside Directors Craig Nealon and Brendan Walsh.
Creer Property was established in 1872 by Joseph Creer, who had been the local cabinet maker until his shop burned down and he turned his hand to auctioneering. He was joined by his son Nelson and associate Hudson Berkeley.
Until the present day, the agency has only had nine directors.
“I’m a little bit filthy at Burnett Guy Littler,” Jacob Hosking said. “He came back from fighting in World War I and became a partner in 1920 when he was 24. I was 28 when I became a partner last year, so I’m not the youngest!”
Today, the combines old fundamentals with new ways of doing business.
“We take values and experience from our history and balance those with new approaches, and we are doing that in a way that is rarely seen today,” Andrew Kaprilian said.
“We’re extremely proud of being around for 150 years – but, in many ways, working at Creer Property can feel like a start-up, because we’re trying a lot of new things as we grow our team. We’re in a build phase and it’s a very exciting time.”
Amid all this change and growth, the team at Creer Property knows one thing they don’t have to worry about is compliance.
People expect instant responses and the highest standards of customer service. Our business now and our plans for the future are built around providing that level of service.
– Andrew Kaprilian, Creer Property
“Our agreements are all from REINSW, so we know that we’re up to date with the latest regulations and legislation,” Andrew said. “During COVID, we were always hanging out for the REINSW webinars. We just couldn’t keep up with it by ourselves. When the rules aren’t clear, we know we have all our boxes ticked.
“We get a lot of our information from REINSW's newsletters and emails, and I really like the Journal,” Jacob said. “I’m competitive, so I want to see who’s doing well and the articles help us when we are speaking to clients in the marketplace.”
“Today, the demands and pressures on agents are greater than they have ever been,” Andrew said. “People expect instant responses and the highest standards of customer service. Our business now and our plans for the future are built around providing that level of service. Most of us come from a customer service background, and I think that is what’s needed most in the industry moving forward.”
Jacob added: “The other thing that people really need is good honest advice and clear direction. Here, we stay in our lane and do what we think is important moving forward. I don’t think that will ever go out of fashion.”
Devine Real Estate
When a young George Devine started his real estate career in Sydney’s Inner West in 1955, he did so with firm values that underpinned his future success. Fast forward six decades and George’s vision is being carried forward by his son, Steve Devine, Director at Devine Real Estate. Steve believes that these values have stood the test of time and are more crucial than ever to keep his agency and the industry on the right track.
Among George’s early defining characteristics were his determination and work ethic. Accidents that cost him an eye at the age of 15 and then an arm at 26, fuelled his drive to succeed through hard work. He passed that same work ethic on to his son, with Steve joining him in the business in 1985.
“It takes work and skill to succeed in real estate,” Steve said. “TV shows create the impression that it’s very easy to make a lot of money, without any real effort or skill going into the transaction. People don’t realise that these shows aren’t real”.
Trust, loyalty and ethics are another set of family values set in place by George Devine that still guide the agency today.
“Trust might sound corny, but it’s essential in our industry,” Steve said. “Your reputation is everything and it can be tarnished so quickly, especially with social media.
“That’s where REINSW plays such an important role, holding up values and integrity. You have to have that moral compass that supports the industry.
“As members, we’ve always supported REINSW as the voice of the industry to consumers, setting the highest standards and holding agents accountable. I think if we don’t do it ourselves, as a professional body, then someone else will do it for us and it won’t necessarily be in our best interests. We need to take accountability and I believe that REINSW is the natural vehicle to achieve this.”
Steve’s involvement with REINSW has included serving on the Property Management Chapter.
Trust might sound corny, but it’s essential in our industry. Your reputation is everything and it can be tarnished so quickly, especially with social media.
– Steve Devine , Devine Real Estate
“I was Deputy Chair of the Chapter for around 10 years during the late 1990s and early 2000s and I saw firsthand what REINSW brings from a lobbying perspective,” he said. “We also saw how important REINSW was when COVID struck and overnight the world was turned on its head. REINSW stood up and guided our industry, and it was very reassuring for us to have a professional body that we could have confidence in through those turbulent times.”
As much as he is proud of the history of Devine Real Estate, Steve is equally excited about the future following the recent decision to join The Agency and rebrand the offices from June 2023.
“I think what motivates me most now is the business perspective,” he said. “The national reach of The Agency enables us to continue to prosper and grow. We’ll be able to respond more effectively, and see how our customers are evolving and where they are coming from – whether they are the family across the street who are moving around the corner or someone from interstate or overseas. Our world is expanding and it's exciting to be part of that.”