A CHANCE occurrence at a home open led Yvonne Furner to a career in real estate and like Residential West she has just celebrated 10 years in the industry.
“My passion for property led me to regularly attend home opens on the weekends and at one the agent was so appalling that I was disappointed and angry for the owners,” she said.
“I strutted home and expressed my frustration to my husband, stating that I could do a far better job than the lacklustre agent.
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READ NOW“His response – ‘You’re a natural salesperson and a great communicator’ – was the catalyst to my amazing journey.
“The next day I drove to REIWA, enrolled in their course and the rest is history.”
Mrs Furner joined Nexus Real Estate a week after completing the course and said it was a baptism by fire.
“The office consisted of seven male sales representatives and a newbie, me,” she said.
“It was a really tough introduction to the industry but I worked liked a trojan for two years, with early starts in the morning and many late nights.”
Her hard work paid off and she was offered a position at Acton in her third year in the industry, where she worked with Maree Clough for several years, focusing on Floreat.
“I did work experience at Acton but was told that the office did not take on anyone with less that two years experience, however they were willing to sponsor me for the REIWA course because they saw that I had great potential to be a successful agent,” she said.
“This dream came true at my first Acton awards night where I was presented with an outstanding sales achievement award, placing me among the network’s top agents.
“I continued this success during my time at Acton and I was also very proud to be instrumental in two record sales in West Floreat in the very early part of my career.”
Mrs Furner is now part of the Ray White Dalkeith-Claremont team and retains her passion for Floreat.
She said her branding spoke for itself: ‘For the love of Floreat’.
“In a 10-year period you develop strong relationships and become well-known in the area,” she said.
“Irrespective of the brand, I will always be known as Yvonne Furner, the Floreat specialist.”
It is an area she knows well and deeply loves and over the years she has seen the local market experience a range of conditions.
“There has been a significant change in the market in the last 10 years,” Mrs Furner said.
“2017 was characterised by low stock levels and high buyer demand, a 6 per cent annual increase in the median price and shorter days on market. Floreat’s popularity continues to attract young families because of its ideal location between the city and the sea, large blocks and lush vegetation.
“It’s a beautiful suburb and I am honoured to be one of the most recognised and successful agents in the suburb.”
Her commitment to the community extends beyond real estate. She has a vast network within Floreat and beyond and is the vice-patron and sponsor of the Reabold Tennis Club, sponsor of the Cat Haven, SIDS for kids, Princess Margaret Hospital, Cancer Council, Ronald McDonald House and the annual Splash n Dash.
Reflecting on her goals for the next 10 years, Mrs Furner said she would always try to exceed her clients’ expectations and fulfill dreams and change lives seamlessly.