Local real estate agents are seeing increased interest from out-of-town buyers in recent Covid-19 times, as more and more Queenslanders look to swap city for country living.
Helen Harm of Helen Harm Real Estate, one of Warwick’s leading realtors, said she is approaching this new surge in clientele the best way she knows how: with consistent hard work and commitment.
Helen’s boutique team has been a major force in local real estate for 15 years and boasts an impressive list of for-sale and rental listings, but it is her dedication to a philosophy of integrity and personal service that keeps buyers and sellers coming back.
“If I can offer people fair prices and value for money, I’m doing my job,” said Helen.
And that she does, time and time again.
Helen’s extensive knowledge of the local market, her honest nature, and her understanding of buyer and seller expectations translates to consistently optimal results for her clients.
“I call a spade a spade and a shovel a shovel,” said Helen.
“If you come to me and tell me you want to spend $300,000 on a property, I won’t show you $400,000 properties.
“If you’re selling, I’ll tell you honestly what price you can expect and I’ll help you achieve it.”
From grand family homes to inner city units, and investment properties to private rentals, Helen and her team have a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of real estate in Warwick and surrounding areas, and the needs of their clients.
“That’s my buzz in real estate… matching people to properties,” said Helen.
“I spend a lot of time with the vendor and the purchaser so I can really understand what they need, what they want, and what is fair.”
Helen attributes much of her success to her work ethic and effective communication – qualities she felt were lacking in the local market when she first moved to Warwick with her family in 1986.
“There weren’t any women doing real estate at the time and the boys just wouldn’t listen,” she said.
“So that’s one thing I always try to do… give people the courtesy of listening to them.”
Helen said she has always been and remains firmly committed to open lines of communication with her clients, but with the advent of Covid-19 last year, her usual hands-on way of business became limited.
Interested buyers no longer had the freedom to travel, and direct contact with buyers and sellers was no longer feasible.
So, she learned to adapt.
“The market had been stagnant for five to six years but that completely changed when Covid hit,” said Helen.
“We began using Facetime and Zoom, and we’d go out to properties and do video walkthroughs.
“We wanted to give people the opportunity to view properties for themselves, to ask questions and feel heard.”
No matter the circumstances, even through a global pandemic, Helen guarantees a personal service. Though she herself admits real estate can at times consume her life, Helen loves nothing more than getting her clients results.
When she isn’t working, which is not often given today’s market conditions, she is spending time with her four children and seven grandchildren, and video calling family she cannot see in person.
Helen believes in real estate done right, and this is reflected in her reputation for high-quality services and excellent outcomes.
Her advice to those interested in pursuing their passion as she did 15 years ago is, very fittingly, “if you want to be good at what you’re doing, you’ve got to believe in what you’re doing.”
To enquire about services provided through Helen Harm Real Estate, call Helen on 0408 457 496 or visit www.helenharm.com.
