This photo of Willie Porteous in 1980 marks the first $2 million residential sale in Australia.
Camera IconThis photo of Willie Porteous in 1980 marks the first $2 million residential sale in Australia. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

William Porteous Properties International celebrates 10th anniversary

Natalie HordovWestern Suburbs Weekly

WILLIAM Porteous Properties International celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, but director Willie Porteous did not originally intend to take up a career in real estate.

He was a qualified town planner and worked in this field initially.

He was also a trainee stockbroker.

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After moving to Australia in 1970, he worked with a development company before joining a western suburbs agency in 1979.

Mr Porteous sold 64 Jutland Parade, Dalkeith, for $2.15 million in April 1980 and sold it again six months later for $4 million, two Australian records at the time.

Mr Porteous said when he opened his own business in 2008 the market was at a high.

“Business was roaring and we were selling everything we put on the market at exceptional prices,” he said.

Some incredible results include the sale of 43 Saunders Street, Mosman Park, in 2009 for $57.5 million and the $23 million sale of the amalgamated Peppermint Grove block to the Oswals in the same year.

“Since 2010 the market has dropped and it is only now we have seen the volume return,” Mr Porteous said.

“Prices have also been very suppressed.”

Mr Porteous has built a strong and experienced team over the years, growing from five sales staff initially to 12, with a total of 19 people on the team.

“Our team is fantastic, highly qualified and well-educated,” he said.

“Most have university degrees and have worked or studied overseas. As well as extensive international contacts, they also have strong language skills in Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, French and Portuguese, which has been a huge benefit for our clients.”

Mr Porteous said a lot of the sales team had been with William Porteous Properties International for many years.

“Mark Dimmock, who is our south-of-the-river sales representative, was one of the first people to knock on my doors when I opened them,” he said.

“He was quickly followed by Peter Robertson and my son Andrew and daughter Olivia.

“We now have some younger team members too, including Igor Nujic, John Hunter and Sarah Bourke.”

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Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied

William Porteous Properties International has been a fixture on Waratah Avenue for the past 10 years, opening its doors at number 93 and moving to new, modern and larger premises at number 87 last year.

While it is well known for its work in the western suburbs, the agency also sells throughout Perth and the South-West and Mr Porteous still takes on select national and international listings.

“We are all very passionate about real estate and are happy to sell anything from $100,000 to $100 million,” Mr Porteous said.

“My motto is: if you want it, we’ve got it or we will get it.”

While the records set over the years by Mr Porteous and the agency are impressive, he said “you are only as good as you are today”.

With such a successful history behind them and a strong, dedicated team, the present and the future look very bright.

“I’m very privileged to have recently listed an iconic property on the river in Dalkeith for around $50 million,” Mr Porteous said.

“And the team have many more impressive listings as well.”