KEEPING FIT IS PART OF THE PROPERTY BATTLE

Finesse Property founder Shane Evans (pictured) says constant learning, while keeping mentally and physically fit, has helped him guide the business through the struggling Gold Coast property market.

“To survive economic uncertainty over the last 12 months we acknowledged the necessity to have an unwavering commitment to remaining mentally sharp by attending industry training and absorbing industry facts and figures,” he says.

Evans says Finesse enjoyed a period of busy activity when the State Government’s scrapped the $7000 first-home owner grant for existing homes. He says the program sparked a “mad rush” to take advantage of the former grant before it concluded on October 11.

“Turnover was quite strong in the last four to six weeks. Finesse sold almost one property a week,” he says.

Finesse increased revenue by 47 per cent to $11.9 million in fiscal 2012 due to improved market confidence and steady interest rates.

“We are very personable, honest and prepared to walk away from a deal if it is not an honest one,” says Evans.

The agency has a sole focus on property sales and has no interest in taking on property management, he says.

Evans says he approached his career in the real estate industry knowing he wanted to open his own business.

“Upon completion of a five-year apprenticeship under the guidance of an award winning mentor, my wife and I decided we were ready professionally, financially, emotionally and mentally to launch a real estate company of our own,” he says.