Rikihana Smallman

Home ownership is so empowering. And it?s the same for buyers and sellers: you weather the ups and downs the market throws at you, take crash courses in property values, finance, legal stuff, cladding types, building quality, soil . . . and the end result is a place you can call your own. It's a great feeling.

It?s extremely satisfying for me, as a real estate sales consultant, to help a someone achieve their property goals. You go through the process with them from frustration of missing out on a dream property, joy when an offer is accepted, the nerve-wracking wait for conditions to be met, and relief when the lawyer calls to say the deal has gone unconditional. It?s a rollercoaster.

That?s why a great process matters. It steps you through the bramble matters and when things get tough, you fall back on the plan and go again.

Because the reality is, first home buyers have never been through the process and most homeowners buy and sell once in a decade. With so much to learn and what little time to do it in, good advice is essential.