For Tracey Andrews a simple phone call set her on a career path that turned out to be the perfect fit.
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Having started in real estate at the age of 22, she had been away from the industry for 11 years after leaving to have a family when a developer called saying, 'Tracey, I've got a job I think you would be great at'.
That job was selling Ashton Gardens Retirement Village at Maitland, a boutique village comprising 61 homes. Mrs Andrews accepted the task and successfully sold the lot - off the plan and out of her car boot. She then went on to manage the village, overseeing the start up and producing all legislative documentation required.
Mrs Andrews knew from the start she had found her niche. "I'd always had an interest in property and enjoyed the selling side of things," she said. "This was a whole new avenue for me, challenging yet enjoyable. I found what I love doing."
That was 18 years ago. Since then Mrs Andrews has worked with several publicly listed companies and private developers throughout the Mid North Coast, Newcastle, the Hunter and the Central Coast. The experience has broadened her knowledge of the retirement living industry - from retirement villages and over 55s developments to residential aged care - and the legislation around it.
A desire to do more to help her clients prompted Mrs Andrews' decision almost two years ago to establish her own business and in March 2018 she opened the doors of her real estate agency, One Agency Karinya Properties. It's part of the One Agency group of independently owned businesses around Australia.
"As a Sales and Marketing Manager and employee, I was constantly asked by clients buying into the developments if I would also look after the sale of their home," said Mrs Andrews. "But due to a conflict of interest this wasn't possible.
"Having established a good rapport with them, it seemed only natural that I help them with the entire transition, but I couldn't - so I started my own business."
Mrs Andrews now contracts to developers and retirement villages throughout Newcastle and the Lake Macquarie area, covering their sales and marketing. When asked by her clients to sell their family home, both she and her co-worker Vicki Kulapach, are more than happy to offer their services as specialists in the transition to retirement living.
"Even though I'm a real estate agent I don't see myself as that," she said. "I simply provide guidance and support to those looking to downsize or choosing the retirement lifestyle they deserve.
"I work with a wonderful team of solicitors, financial advisers, and removalists, all required to make any transition into a village, stress free. With so many types of villages, communities and resorts available to seniors these days, it's essential for purchasers to be fully conversant with all legislation when making their decisions.
"We aim to remove the stress of the process. The majority of my customers have lived in their family home for 40 or 50 years and aren't always sure how to go about selling and at times have no family support to help."
As when she first started in the industry, it's the people she meets and the relationships she develops with them that still drives Mrs Andrews' passion.
"There's nothing better than hearing, 'It's the best decision we've made, we should have made it sooner', when chatting with my customers," she said.
"I've met some truly incredible people along the way. Listening to their stories has been a constant history lesson for me."