ACT Winners
The REIA National Awards for Excellence was held in Darwin on 9th June 2021. The Real Estate Institute of the ACT (REIACT) was represented in 14 categories, with three national titles being brought back to the Capital.
Large Residential Agency of the Year – BELLE PROPERTY CANBERRA
Buyers’ Agent of the Year – CLAIRE CORBY, CAPITAL BUYERS AGENCY
Commercial Salesperson of the Year – GUY RANDELL, BURGESS RAWSON CANBERRA
The importance of these Awards is quite significant. Each year, every State and Territory holds their own Awards for Excellence, and the winners are then eligible to enter the National Awards.
BUT WHAT MAKES THESE AWARDS DIFFERENT TO ANY OTHER INDUSTRY AWARD?
The point of difference for the REIACT and REIA Awards for Excellence is that every nominee must complete a submission which addresses up to seven criteria and is not judged on total sales or number of property managements alone.
This wholistic approach to finding the best of the best in real estate was introduced by the REIACT in 1995. With both agency and individual Awards, covering 30 categories, REIACT members vie for the number one accolade in their chosen field by nominating and submitting detailed accounts and examples of their individual or agency achievements for the previous financial year.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
For our industry, these Awards give detailed insight into the many facets that make an agency or individual “excellent” in their chosen field. Each nominee must answer seven criteria statements which may include: service to clients, significant achievements, professional development, business challenges and risks, culture, marketing, innovation and community service. This wholistic approach was developed to ensure that all aspects of the real estate transaction and those responsible for delivering it, are able to quantify and substantiate statements made, rather than simply highlighting the number of sales as the most important part of their business plan. Our industry now places great value in providing consumers with a positive experience, no matter what role they play in the real estate transaction. To then present this to judges in a submission process is both complex and challenging.
Many REIACT members spend many hours on just one submission, ensuring that they have answered all criteria questions with both accountable and quantity responses. The submissions received are then judged by industry experts from across the country.
WHY DO OUR MEMBERS ENTER THESE AWARDS?
Since 1995 our members have participated in the REIACT Awards for Excellence, this alone is a significant reflection of the importance of our long running program that enable Institute members to recount and be accountable for their agency and individual performances over the past year. Whilst the accolades received by our winners is important, for our members it is equally important that they are recognised for their commitment to improving their skills and services to ensure their clients have the best experience possible. REIACT President, Hannah Gill, said “Nominations for the 2021 REIACT Awards for Excellence are now open for all Institute members. Winners will be announced at our gala dinner to be held on Saturday 23rd October, 2021 at the Hotel Realm. We hope to see record nominations this year, given the incredible results being achieved by our members for their clients in all aspects of real estate.” REIACT FINALISTS FOR THE 2021 REIA AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE: I Lj Hooker Business Development Manager of the Year
Suzie Weaver – LJ Hooker Canberra City Commercial Property Manager of the Year
Phillip Parker – Colliers Operation Leadership Award
Zoe Ferrari – CBRE Sentia Commercial Agency of the Year
Sentia Real Estate
38 ALLHOMES Innovation Award
Capital Buyers Agency I Lj Hooker
Operational Support Person of the Year
Alison Austen – LJ Hooker Gungahlin OUR THREE NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS GUY RANDELL
BURGESS RAWSON CANBERRA
“What sets apart the REI Awards for Excellence from others within the Industry is that the Awards are sector driven on a national level by the institute that was established to represent and support real estate professionals. The awards provide a platform to celebrate success within our industry not just by numbers of listings or gross commissions, it’s about recognising the people, businesses and overall contribution to the industry. It has been a great honour to be recognised as the Commercial Salesperson of the Year for both 2020 and 2021, it has been a challenging 12 months and I am incredibly proud of the hard work and results both myself and the Burgess Rawson Canberra team have achieved.” CLAIRE CORBY
CAPITAL BUYERS AGENCY
“To have been awarded at the highest possible level in Australia by the peak industry body has been an incredible journey. Through consistent effort to exceed client expectations and innovate, it’s lovely to have that acknowledged at the national level. The REIA awards really are the pinnacle of the industry; you know you’re up against the best from across the country yet the feeling of comradery and support for one another shows just how dedicated the cream of the crop are in lifting professional standards in real estate and supporting our peers. It’s an honour to be flying the flag for buyer’s agents and raise awareness of equal representation for buyers in the property transaction, and also to be representing the ACT on the national stage. I’m truly thankful for the support of the REIACT in providing a pathway for recognition to establish and foster an awareness of best industry practice at the national level. It’s an accolade that no other
awards program can match.” BELLE PROPERTY CANBERRA
“The team at Belle Property Canberra is thrilled and honoured to be recipients of the prestigious REIA Large Residential Agency of the Year Award for 2021. To receive national recognition by REIA, an organization dedicated to advocating for and promoting standards of excellence in all facets of real estate, carries the highest significance for us coming from such a respected and longstanding institute. Through dedication and teamwork, Belle Property Canberra has grown from a staff of four to a dynamic group of real estate professionals who represent our company and industry with integrity while providing our clients with exemplary service. As recipients of the REIA award we are honoured and will continually uphold the highest of industry standards as we strive to bring value to the Canberra real estate community we are so proud to serve and be part of.” REIACT FINALISTS FOR THE 2021 REIA AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE: Property Marketer of the Year
Jonny Warren – Jonny Warren Properties independent Residential Property Management Team of the Year
Independent Property Management Ashby Partners
Small Residential Agency of the Year
Ashby Partners
Residential Property Manager of the Year
Melissa Escreza Residential Salesperson of the Year
Maria Selleck REIA
