Preparing for End of Financial Year

Let’s be honest – there’s nothing more needlessly stressful than a frantic landlord on the phone come the end of financial year. Between returning emails, reconciling accounts, and proofing reports, the last thing you need is a vague voicemail from a worried landlord to add to your stress!

Let’s ensure that the only calls your property management team receive this close of financial year are from clients singing your praises! In today’s hastings+co blog, Managing Director Natalie Hastings offers her top three tips on preparing for a cool, calm and collected end of financial year.

 1 – Plan Ahead

Reconciling accounts en masse is crucial to every property manager’s end of financial year process. This is multi-tiered data-heavy process that should be strategised around months in advance. It’s not something to task to the newbie in your team, that’s for sure! Failure to reconcile, produce reports and close out the financial year within an appropriate time frame can result in trust account non-compliance – which isn’t good for your business or your clients. Planning ahead means that you will avoid mistakes snowballing throughout the year, ensuring a smooth audit of your rent roll,and minimising EOFY stress.

2 – Seek Support

If you have acquired a substantial rent roll in the past financial year or achieved significant business growth in a short period of time (go you!), it is possible that your property management database may be teeming with inaccurate data. This inaccuracy can result in hundred of valueless end of financial year reports being produced and sent to landlords – who’ll soon be on the phone wanting you to rectify their statement! Concerned about data inaccuracies? Don’t try to muddle through on your own without expert assistance: to do so will cost you valuable time and energy. Our tip? Engage hastings+co on this one. Fewer late nights for you, and delivery on that service guarantee you promised your landlords – good choice!

3 – Take Stock

Are there any problematic outliers in your portfolio? If there are repeat offenders – a landlord who is always quibbling over property maintenance or a tenant who is failing to pay rent – take action! During the process of reviewing your portfolio to produce reports for your landlords, you’ll have the opportunity to identify clients who cost your team in time or morale. Consider how to coach these outliers into better behavior, or cut your losses and move on.

The hastings+co team wish your property management team a smooth and happy EOFY. Remember, if times get tough, our team are here to offer you our expert guidance and support. Best of luck and we’ll see you on the other side! 

 

 

 

Setting Standards in Leasing Practice

Show me a profitable, streamlined rent roll, and I’ll show you a property management team with defined standards in place when it comes to their leasing practice.

It’s the aim of every Principal to grow a thriving rent roll – but sometimes a desire to build landlord numbers swiftly can lead to a listing ‘free for all’ that may devalue your overall investment. In a rush to build your asset, you can end up with a mess of ultra-low fees, poor paperwork trails, properties miles from your ‘farm area’ and landlords used to riding roughshod over both property managers and tenants: they’re the conditions that lead to high staff turnover, unnecessarily fraught client relationships and even legal battles. Our experience helping estate agencies develop systems and processes for better listing and more lucrative rent rolls shows that setting standards in leasing practice is key to a flourish asset and a happy team. In today’s blog, hastings+co‘s  Natalie Hastings highlights the importance of setting robust standards across your property management department.

How should property management departments develop best practice around leasing strategy?

Consistency is all when it comes to reputation – and that extends to the way you price, market and lease property on your rent roll. To ensure everyone from your team is singing from the same hymn book, prioritise monthly meetings to discuss the market’s fluctuations – focusing on outstanding results and trends across your rent roll and the local market that need to be identified. What are other agencies doing? Take note and share your observations. Are there any industry trends around the leasing process or tenant/landlord onboarding processes that could be adopted?

How can agencies best manage tenant ‘bidding wars’ in undersupplied markets?

In areas with little ready supply, tenants can become really competitive and busy opens can quickly become needlessly aggressive. Bidding wars will naturally eventuate, and negotiations with may subsequently become heated. We all know that it’s not appropriate to actively encourage rental ‘bidding’ – but how will your agency deal with cases of rental bidding (and disgruntled ‘losing’ tenants) when they arise? What is your stance as a business and how will you deal with tenant and landlord queries about the matter? There’s no ‘hard and fast’ process to undertake here – it’s something that your property management department must develop strategies to handle with minimum risk and the best result for landlords. When consulting with your landlords, it’s important to mention that the highest tenant ‘bidder’ may not always be the best applicant. Is there some – potentially nefarious – reason they want to pay so much above the odds? If something feels wrong, listen to your intuition and have the conversation.

Why is it important for property management departments to develop leasing systems manuals?

Let me count the reasons! Developing a tailored operations manual with customised policies and procedures for leasing will ensure consistency, transparency, accountability, quality assurance and improve workflow – just to name a few of the many benefits. At hastings+co, we will review your department’s standard leasing procedures and create customised policies and procedures manuals aligned with industry best practice.

Invest in hastings+co’s professional real estate support services – we’re focused on making sure your team business is dollar-productive, compliant and high-performing. Contact hastings+co today to learn more: we’re here to help. 

Onboarding for Success

Welcoming a new team member to your estate agency? Let’s ensure they’re here to stay! In today’s hastings+co blog we present you with a three-step guide to making your new recruits’ induction a successful one. Taking time now to ensure they feel comfortable and confident in their role means a happier experience  all-round, and increased staff longevity to boot. 

Introducing a new team member into your business involves more than showing your newbie where the coffee machine is (though this is very important!) – it’s ensuring that your new employee knows what is expected of them, and that their first impression of your agency is ‘wow, what a fantastic place to work’. A great induction process will assist with staff retention, reducing the time and costs associated with staff turnover and recruitment. So, let’s get started!

Step 1: Welcome!

At hastings+co we believe a warm welcome makes all the difference. A great way to begin the day is with ‘hellos and how-tos’. This could involve a guided tour of the building (including safety procedures), introductions to key members of staff and how to use phone systems, photocopiers, printers – the works!

Preparing a comprehensive Induction Pack (detailing all key information) is a great resource for  your new employee. At hastings+co, our Induction Pack details the flow of the employee’s entire first week of work! The result? Time productively spent in your business, and a happy new recruit.

At hastings+co we also host a welcome morning tea. Breaking bread (or almond croissants) with your new employee is a great opportunity to get to know them a little better – and to introduce them to their fellow team members, and the culture of your organisation.

Step 2: Review role requirements

Now that your newest team member knows where to park their car and hang their coat, let’s ensure they know exactly what is expected from them in their role. Understanding their responsibilities and requirements from the get-go will mean accurate, high-level service remain your agency’s standard. Your new employee should also understand your policies, procedures and the company’s expectations of them.

A checklist of initial duties, the time frames they need to be completed in, and a plan for reviewing the staff member’s progress will make a fantastic guide here. Also pairing your new employee with a mentor or peer will ensure they know where to direct any questions.

Step 3. Training on track.

After induction, it’s important to invest in your employee’s ongoing development. Regularly scheduling training programs for new (and established) members of staff will not only ensure your agency is up to date with the latest learnings – it will keep your employees motivated and engaged for the long-term – a true win-win!

A great induction experience means a happy, productive and committed employee – which is the goal of all employers! If you’re looking for more tips or know-how on attracting great talent – get in touch with the team at hastings+co!

Database Goals: 5 Goals To Set for 2018

Uh oh. Has 2017 just come and gone? And you’ve still not got ’round to cleaning up your property management database? It was there at the top of your ‘to-do’ list last year – but now it’s 2018 and it’s taking you forever to access your valuable information. You’re spending too much time re-entering names, double-handling client information on spreadsheets and drowning in data. 

If this is the case in your estate agency, you’re not doing yourself or your clients any favours! Having access to accurate, clean data swiftly is where success lies for all businesses – particularly for property management departments. In today’s blog the team at hastings+co provide you with 5 achievable database goals to ensure that 2018 is your agency’s most productive year yet.

Goal One: A Serious Database Clean Up

Property management databases become flabby and disorganised for a multitude of reasons – time constraints, a team’s limited knowledge of the software, inconsistent data entry, staff turnover; the list goes on! Make no bones about it – a clean, accurate database is the first goal you should conquer in 2018.

Wondering where to start your ‘New Year New Database’ clean up? Here are some ideas to kick you off:

• Have you logged your lease expiries?
• Have you calendared any rent reviews or increases?
• Have you scheduled your smoke detector safety checks?
• Where’s your archiving at?
• Are your management authorities up to date?
• How about your tenant and owner contact details?
• Are you emailing all statements? It’s well and truly time to cut out the snail mail!

Goal Two:  Increase Efficiency and Generate Revenue.

If your database is overrun with double ups, now-irrelevant client details and notes you’ve not revisited since the 90s – your database is costing you and your team more than time – it’s impacting upon your bottom line. Hours of lost productivity due to outdated systems and processes may mean you’re over-staffed, or just under-performing as a group. Clean up your act and free your team from scrabbling through the database on the daily, allowing them to focus on revenue-earning activities and their to-do list. Not only will you enhance daily productivity, you’re set to generate greater revenue and increase your returns significantly.

 Goal Three: Get More Done In Less Time

Regular evaluation of your property management database is the key to peak efficiency in your real estate business. hastings+co‘s database health checks are a practical way to ensure you’re getting the most from your technology, freeing you up to get your productivity on. Trust us, you’ll be ticking off those tasks in no time!

Goal Four: Completely Rely On The Accuracy Of Your Database

Many property management departments have client data stored in multiple locations – on their CRM, in hardcopy files, in excel spreadsheets. This means that property managers waste time looking to multiple resources to check client information before making important calls. Data hygiene and keeping all your client information within a central, single CRM is critical – it saves you time, makes knowledge-sharing a part of your agency culture and helps you have more accurate conversations with your landlords and tenants.

Goal Five: Extract Actual and Anticipated Management Reports

Once you’ve nailed goals one to four, your property management database will be ship-shape and filled with accurate information. This positions you to enjoy the best reporting your agency has ever experienced. Confident in the knowledge that your data can be 100% relied upon, your whole team will be able to extract actual and anticipated management reports with ease. This gives your business the tools to set relevant KPIs and to focus on areas of your practice you’d like to improve result across.

If you need support to conquer these database goals, we recommend engaging our expert team to perform a renowned hastings+co database health check! We’ll provide a comprehensive, structured review of your database, outlining any areas for improvement. Let’s get started on achieving best practice for your property management department by optimising that database for 2018!

Switching Off: Saying No to Notifications

This morning when you woke up, you made a pact with yourself to leave the office at 5:30pm. You were going to walk the dog, make a delicious dinner and do that load of whites you’ve been putting off. Yet it’s somehow 8:30pm already and you’ve been saying ‘one last email’ for the past two hours. Sound familiar?

Whilst a get-it-done approach to working in real estate isn’t a bad thing – it’s great to have a passion for what you do and the determination to hit your KPIs – the best way to achieve your goals is with a clear outlook and a focused mind. And the way to this happy state of focus? Taking time out!

For many property managers and real estate professionals, it’s difficult to find the ‘off switch’. Property managers in particular are multi-tasking champions, and expert at prioritising tasks – but there is a limit to what any single human can do in a day.  There comes a point where one must simply log off, sign out and lock up – acknowledging that the work day is done! Switching off in the age of buzzing smart phones, notifications and pinging email alerts is easier said than done. In today’s blog, the team from hastings+co offer some practical tips to help you power down and give your mind a much-needed rest.

1. Say no to notifications.

Heard of airplane mode? Use it! By setting yourself a cut-off time (such as 7pm) and switching your smart phone to airplane mode, you’ll still be able to listen to your favourite Spotify playlist and snap a picture of the sunset on your evening walk – but your notifications will be on pause. Alternatively – if totally disconnecting from the internet scares you silly –  simply mute your notifications – especially emails! You’ll still be able to Google the weather for the weekend and look up that Pad Thai recipe you’ve been dying to try – but your out of office time will be uninterrupted. And don’t worry, your emails will still be there tomorrow.

2. Set yourself some boundaries.

Remember that predicament we discussed above – where 8:30pm rolled into the office like it was nobody’s business? Prevent the sorry leaving now! lost track of time text messages by setting yourself an alarm for workday. Perhaps set one for 5:00pm – where you can stop and take a moment to consider what absolutely must be done before close of business. Then, set one for 5:30pm, 6pm and 7pm. This way time can’t slip through your fingers. You’re conscious of the hours passing and in control of how you’re spending your evening.

3. Choose a way to relax

Whether it’s spending time with your family and friends, cooking, reading a book or watching The Crown on Netflix, it’s important to factor relaxation into your day. It may seem like an obvious tip – but if you’re used to being ‘on’ all day, this truly can be a struggle. Find something you enjoy and make sure you prioritise it!

Success in the real estate industry doesn’t come from clocking the most hours in a week, but from having the energy to perform to the very best of your ability when you are at work. So, for a little balance and some much-needed personal time – do yourself a favour and switch off!

Meet the Team: Grace, Yuting & Elsa

Hello December! Australia’s real estate agencies have made it to the December – and that’s cause for celebration! 2017 has been a year great change and growth at hastings+co: not only have we welcomed a baby to our business – we have also  welcomed several talented new members to the hastings+co team.

In today’s blog, we’re sitting down with hastings+co’s newest team members Grace, Yuting and Elsa. So, let’s jump right into getting to know our three bubbly and bright Trust Account Managers!

Shannon: Hi ladies! Welcome to the team. Can you tell me what your role at hastings+co is, and what you consider the three most critical elements of your position are?

Grace: My role is Trust Account Manager which involves receipting and reconciling, paying out owners and creditors, and invoice entry. I believe efficiency, accuracy and patience are the three most critical elements of my role.

Yuting: Also as a Trust Account Manager, I value accuracy, meeting deadlines and communicating often (and well) with clients.

Elsa: And for me, remaining professional and result oriented as a Trust Account Manager is critical – but exceptional customer service rules all!

Elsa Ye

Shannon: Let’s take a step back in time! Could you give me a brief history of how you came to be at hastings+co?

Grace: I first heard of hastings+co in 2013 when I was working in real estate. I have previously worked as a property manager and an account manager – so I have a strong real estate background. I love the industry!

Yuting: I graduated with a Master of Professional Accounting and began my accounting career in a financial planning firm. I then journeyed over to a larger financial planning firm with a real estate component. I was charged with both leasing and sales – plus some general accounting tasks. I then spent three years in a boutique real estate agency focusing on sales trust – and now I’m here!

Elsa: It’s an accounting and real estate mix for me too. Prior to joining the team at hastings+co, I worked as a trust accountant in a boutique real estate company with an RP Office background.

Shannon: What are you looking forward to most about working with hastings+co’s clients?

Grace: Simply providing the best possible service I can!

Yuting: The client versatility. Each real estate business is different and so is the way in which they work. You’re always learning.

Elsa: I love that at hastings+co I’m able to work for a range of clients, using a range of different software. It can be challenging at times, but I am constantly improving my professional and interpersonal skills.

Yuting Jiang

Shannon: What are two elements of accounting practice or real estate that you didn’t expect to find interesting – but which are most fulfilling? 

Grace: I’ve loved helping people to find their dream home! Whether that’s renting or buying – it’s definitely the most fulfilling part of real estate.

Yuting: I find the balance of keeping a fast pace while maintaining a high accuracy level in my work a challenge, when you achieve that – it’s so fulfilling!

Elsa: For me it’s the combination of accounting practice and real estate itself – the mix requires high levels of precision but also flexibility.

Shannon: The real estate industry sometimes gets a ‘bad rap’. How would you describe the industry you service?

Grace: People don’t always understand how much work is involved in our industry. A couple of my previous tenants have even said that property management is one of easiest jobs. I’d love for them to spend a day in my shoes!

Yuting: Grace is right, and it’s the same as in other industries: you have professionals who are very experienced, and others at entry level who will get there over time. Patience is always appreciated!

Elsa: The real estate industry is not an industry that most people are involved with on a daily basis – like retail or hospitality – so not many people really understand the inner workings. So, when an issue occurs like accidental property damage or something doesn’t meet a tenant’s expectations, there can be unnecessary blame placed – this is where the ‘bad rap’ may come from. The team at hastings+co are proof that the industry is working to provide better service and see this reputation change!

Grace Deng

Shannon: Changing pace now! Can you name an individual you find inspiring, and describe why?

Grace: My grandpa. In times of conflict or stress, he always said to take a step back and see the whole world in front of you. It’s great to see things from a wider perspective.

Yuting: My dad. He is always caring for others.

Elsa: My mum. She is brave, confident and very optimistic. I find Tony Robbins super inspiring, he’s really had an impact on my daily life and work.

What’s your favourite Spotify playlist to work to?

Grace: Anything!

Yuting: I love what the team have playing at hastings+co.

Elsa: For me, always jazz!

hastings+co are so excited to welcome Grace, Yuting and Elsa to our terrific team. We’re certain hastings+co clients will enjoy getting to know the talented trio over the New Year!

Out of Office: Taking Time Away from your Business

So you’re planning on taking some time away from your business. Whatever your reason for doing so – long service leave, a Summer holiday, carer’s leave – you want it to be a peaceful transition that doesn’t negatively impact upon your empire.

Here’s what you don’t want when it comes to leave: your phone buzzing just as you settle by the pool with the sweetest of sangrias, your email inbox pinging as you gently lull your newborn off to sleep or – heaven forbid – a client knocking on your door wondering where on earth you’ve been! These are all (horrifying) examples of why it’s so important to adequately cover your responsibilities whilst taking time away from your business.

As some of you may be aware, my husband and I recently brought a little girl into the world, which has resulted in my taking several months of leave from my other baby – hastings + co! Knowing that I was leaving the business in the experienced hands of my talented General Manager Shannon Vallance was comforting. However, there were many months of change ahead to be negotiated – all of which required exceptional planning.  New systems and processes were developed and responsibilities were delegated as part of a very careful hand-over, ensuring that hastings + co was set up for continued success, quality client care and organic growth in my absence.

In this blog, I’ve created a checklist to assist real estate professionals take time out from their business. You might finally be taking that well-deserved holiday, spending time caring for a loved one (or a new-born!) – or perhaps you’re simply investing in time out to reflect on life’s journey. Regardless of your reason for enjoying leave – you’ll need to ensure the necessary systems are in place to make your period of leave a success for business, your clients, your employees and importantly – yourself!

Decide how much ‘behind the scenes’ involvement you will have whilst away.

Will you still communicate with your entire staff in your absence, or simply liaise with your General Manger occasionally? Will you visit the office regularly, attend meetings and team catch-ups? Will you attend social events? Will you support clients? Will you work with suppliers? Will you monitor business budgets and P&Ls? Will you check emails? Will you take calls? And if so …. how many? This list of ‘will you’ questions is a great example of  multitude of decisions you’ll need to make about the level of commitment you’ll agree to during leave. Be aware that your decision about on-leave commitments may change whilst you’re away. You may choose to opt out of your business completely or ease your way back in ‘behind the scenes’ over time. The choice is yours!

Resource Up

Ensure that you have adequate resources in place to cover your leave. If you are Director of a small to medium-sized business you may wear many hats (Recruitment, HR, Marketing, Management, Training, Business Development etc.) and therefore you’ll need to ensure each responsibility has been accounted for in your absence! Outsourcing, employing further staff and upskilling your current team are all possibilities here.

Keep Your Team in the Loop

You know what they say – honesty is the best policy! As soon as you’re committed to a period of leave, have an in-depth team meeting and cover off on any internal promotions and prospective role changes your absence might necessitate. Organisational change is likely, so workshop a new organisation chart with your team, identifying areas of additional support. Advise your team of the dates that you’ll be away and the contact hours you’ve defined.

Upskill your Team

Create and deliver a training plan in advance of your absence. This will preferably be  a long-term plan allowing four to six months of in-house training and handover time before your leave commences.

Inform your Clients

There are many ways to inform your clients about your period of leave. Depending on your relationships with clients, office visits, phone calls and emails are all great ways to connect with clients, and address any worries they might have. Advise your clients of your dates of absence, your reason for leave (if you feel that’s necessary) and who their point of contact is for future correspondence.

Ensure you’re General Manager is a Star

You may already have a General Manager that you trust to manage the business in your absence. hastings + co were fortunate enough to be in this position during my current period of leave. Our General Manager Shannon Vallance has ably taken on my responsibilities – she’s not only increased business sales and growth over the past six months, she’s also managed the business through a period of great change. If you do not have a star like Shannon on your team, you may need to promote within your business or hire externally.

Reward your Team

Ensure that you reward any team members who have taken on more or new responsibilities both financially and with recognition – let them know that they’re truly appreciated. Without them sailing the ship in your absence you’d be lost!

Have a Return to Work Plan

When will you be returning to your responsibilities? Will some responsibilities remain with the staff they were delegated to during your absence? Will the reporting structure change? Will you be returning full-time? Meet with your General Manager to receive a full debrief about business activity in your absence. Upon your return to work, you may need to upskill or amend your management style in accord with these changes.

Enjoy!

Set your out of office. Pack up your desk. Flick the lights off for the final time and take a deep breath. You’ve done the preparation, put appropriate supports in place – and now, you’re on leave!

Whether taking time away to begin a new chapter in your family life, to revisit your back-packing days in balmy Barcelona or to work on personal projects – enjoy your time out. If you’ve addressed the tasks we’ve recommended in today’s blog prior to going on leave, your business will thrive in your absence! 

Mental Health and the Property Manager

September 14 marked RU OK? Day in Australia: an initiative focused on raising awareness about mental illness experienced in silence by so many in our community – with the overarching message being, ‘it’s okay not to be okay’.

This got the hastings+co team to thinking: how is the property management community taking steps to care for themselves? In the fast-paced, emotionally fraught daily real estate race – are you dedicating enough time to self-care rituals? In recent years, meditation, ‘time out’ and mindfulness have taken centre stage in the ‘what’s hot’ arena. But what if meditation isn’t for you, and attempting to reach a state of zen feels like an uphill battle? The good news is – there’s actually several alternatives to meditation that will offer you the same benefits of relaxation.

2011’s Census revealed that anxiety and depression concern many estate agents and property managers. Further studies from the Coroners Court of Victoria discovered that the suicide rate among real estate employees was 13.4 per 100,000 – a disturbing rate higher than that of the police force. Furthermore, Victoria was identified as a ‘high risk State’, meaning Victorian agents and property managers are among the most stressed in the country.

In the course of their roles, it’s not uncommon for property managers to be abused, threatened or feel generally victimized by their tenants and landlords – in some cases, they experience bullying at the hands of their colleagues. Landlords and tenants can be very passionate, stressed or desperate in their communications – and the role of a property manager involves intervening in sometimes difficult situations involving conflict, divorce and death. Managing the emotions of stressed individuals and working through tough circumstances put property managers at heightened risk of anxiety and depression.  If you feel stressed and anxious in your work as a property manager, know that you’re not alone.

So what can be done about this dangerous level of stress experienced by property managers? Some estate agencies have put measures in place to ensure their staff have access to counsellors and psychologists to help them work through mental health concerns. If you feel comfortable doing so, speak to your boss or manager about any issues of overwhelm, anxiety or depression you are experiencing – you might just change the culture surrounding mental health in your business by helping yourself!

Our practical recommendation is that you take steps to care for your own mental wellbeing on a weekly basis. Property management’s stressors are unlikely to change – from the angry tenant demanding their bond back to the landlord who won’t drop their rent or repair a hot water service. What can change if your response to these circumstances. Improve your resilience by:

• Working smarter, not harder. Keep an eye on your overtime hours: if you feel like your workload is regularly unachievable, speak to your manager about reducing your portfolio to a more manageable size.
• Stay connected with your community of support: even if you’re feeling tired, don’t isolate yourself from friends and family.
• Get those good vibes going! Ensure you have an outlet for personal expression – whether that’s the gym, yoga, walking, boxing, massage, listening to podcasts or aromatherapy.
• Make sure to reach out for professional assistance if you feel overwhelmed in the workplace or at home.
• Where possible,  have a week of leave every three months.

It’s also important to keep an eye out for your colleagues. If you notice something isn’t right with a fellow property manager or agent, find a time to ask them if they’re ok – offer your help if you can. Often a simple chat can give an anxious person the sense of support they need to carry on. In closing – if you’re struggling with your mental health at work, don’t be afraid to speak up. Visit RU OK? for more information on how to offer help and ask for it yourself, and reach out if you or someone you know is at risk.

Meet the Team: Jade and Leonie

In today’s blog, we’re pleased to introduce you to Jade Dobbie and Leonie Byron – two wonderful new additions to the hastings+co team. In conversation with General Manager Shannon Vallance, the ladies discuss their day-to-day roles, share their take on the real estate industry and give us the insider goss on the best playlists to play for ultimate trust accounting productivity.

Shannon: Hi ladies! We’re so happy to have you both on board. Can you share your roles at hastings+co and the critical elements of your position?

Jade: My role at hastings+co is as Trust Account Manager to my direct clients. In my role it’s really important to have fine attention to detail whilst always remaining a step or two ahead, identifying any potential problems that might arise for a client. Time management is important, too!

Leonie: I’m also a Trust Account Manager. And for me, the three most important skills to bring to my role at hastings+co are accuracy, efficiency and having an eye for detail. It’s great to work with a team who share so many similar values.

Shannon: What are your stories ladies? How did you come to be at hastings+co?

Jade: I recently moved to Melbourne from Darwin on a whim, and was lucky enough to come across hastings+co – and I’m loving it! I have been working within the real estate industry for nearly six years, and have experience in property management, office management, general accounting, HR and trust accounting. My previous role in Darwin was within a small real estate business, which challenged me to take on many roles simultaneously. It was a perfect opportunity to learn about the various aspects of agency compliance. Subsequently, I have a deep knowledge of best practice across an agency.

Leonie Byron, Trust Account Manager

Leonie: Growing up, everyone (myself included!) thought I would become an accountant, as I loved working with numbers and money. But I soon realised my heart wasn’t 100% in it. During University, I decided I wanted to work in real estate and the following year I became a Property Manager. I enjoyed my time working within property management  -I learned so much – but ultimately the role was not right for me. I took some time out and decided that I wanted to become a Trust Account Manager – that’s when an opportunity at hastings+co appeared! My role is a perfect combination of both accounting and property management.

Shannon: What are you looking forward to most about working with hastings+co’s clients?

Jade: The diversity of the clients we assist means no two days are ever the same. Working with hastings+co clients from across Australia is awesome: it’s satisfying to help support agencies work through compliance and trust accounting matters – and it’s fascinating to see how different clients work within their own businesses.

Leonie: I enjoy bringing my accounting and property management knowledge to bear upon the conundrums of hastings+co’s clientele. I appreciate how much peace of mind having a trust accounting professional’s skills on-tap can offer real estate agencies.

Shannon: Which elements of trust accounting practice do you enjoy most?

Jade Dobbie, Trust Account Manager

Jade: I find reconciling and fixing errors very fulfilling! Finding a problem, investigating what went wrong and how, and then finding a solution is always interesting. Every change is part of a larger story for each agency client.

Leonie: I enjoy ensuring all statements are exact – down to the very last cent! I know that such a process might seem extremely tedious to some –  but when everything balances perfectly it’s fantastic, a great feeling!

Shannon: Sometimes the real estate industry gets a ‘bad rap’. How do feel about that?

Jade: I do agree that the industry has a ‘bad rap’. In my opinion, that’s because people are more likely to talk about a bad experience than they are a good one. It’s a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week industry, which means those who work within it are bombarded from every direction at all hours. I find most bad experiences can be resolved or prevented if communication is priority. That’s how we manage things at hastings+co.

Leonie: The real estate industry unfortunately does have a poor reputation with the public. Unfairly so! When it comes to competing for property – whether you’re a buyer or a tenant –someone is always going to miss out. This is when negative feelings about estate agents emerge. We know our clients have many demands upon them. That’s why hastings+co’s range of services are here to support our clients when they need extra assistance.

Shannon: They’re really great insights, ladies. Ok, let’s change the mood a little – who are your sources of motivation, what do you find inspiring?

Jade: There are many that come to mind, I find the people who stand out strongly to me are honest, kind, vibrant, mindful people. I’ve been fortunate to meet many amazing people from all walks of life – it’s those with these qualities that always stick with me.

Leonie: The people I am inspired by the most are resilient – those who give you the sense that you can achieve anything you put your mind to.

Shannon: Finally, let’s talk music! What is your favourite Spotify playlist to work to?

Jade: I am loving the personalised daily mixes that Spotify comes up with. They are a great mix of songs Spotify thinks I would like or songs I have forgotten about! My music is a mixed bag from Rock to Rap to RnB.

Leonie: Discover Weekly or Billboard Top 100 – always!

hastings+co are excited to welcome Jade and Leonie to our team. Today’s blog is just a brief taste of their vibrant personalities and passion for real estate trust accounting. They’re looking forward to working with all our wonderful clients.

Meet the Team: Billie & Shelley

It’s been a time of change at hastings+co, with our Director Natalie welcoming little baby Mila into the world. In addition to Mila’s arrival, we’ve also welcomed several talented new members to the hastings+co team: today’s your introduction to them! 

In today’s blog, we sit down with hastings+co team members Billie Doman and Shelley Gage, and find out what makes them tick. From Barack Obama to tackling REST software, there’s plenty to uncover about these savvy trust accountants.

Shannon: Hi girls! Welcome to the team. Tell us about your roles at hastings+co.

Shelley: I’m a Trust Accountant Manager, specialising in payroll management and general book keeping.

Billie: I’m a Trust Account Manager, working across sales and rental trusts.

Shannon: What would you say are the three most critical elements of the role?

Shelley: It’s ensuring accuracy at all times, across data and all communications – and of course, keeping to deadlines. We’ve also got to be ready to provide support and assistance for tasks and projects as soon as they arise. It’s a very problem-solving centric role.

Billie: I receipt for my clients daily, while juggling trust accounting queries from clients. You’ve got to be very on the ball. Between invoice entries and the executing payment between owners, and landlords and tenants, it’s always a challenge.

Shannon: Share a little with us about your backgrounds. What brought you to hastings+co?

Shelley: I joined hastings+co in April 2017. I have a background in both real estate and accounting and I’m excited to combine these skills at hastings+co. Having completed my Bachelor of Business and Commerce, I have experience in general accounting, as well as an agent’s representative certificate.

Billie: I’ve come from a real estate background. I started out as a receptionist when I left high school, and then went on to complete my full Real Estate License. Since then I’ve had experience in admin support for both Directors and Property Managers, and have always been responsible for the trust accounts at the office. I’m really interested in trust accounting, which is what drew me to hastings+co.

Shannon: What are you looking forward to most about working with hastings + co.’s clients?

Shelley: I’m keen to build strong relationships and offer positive support for my clients.

Billie: I am looking forward to the challenge of juggling both commercial and residential offices. I’m keen to immerse myself in different software, too, like REST and Property Tree. The hastings+co training process has been paramount to my learning – I’ve come so far already!

Shannon: Can you think of two elements of accounting practice or real estate that you didn’t expect to find interesting – but which are most fulfilling?

Shelley: The customer service element is something that I have really enjoyed. Building strong working relationships and working together to achieve a common goal is very rewarding. I work well under pressure and love a challenge, so the problem-solving aspect has been really rewarding.

Billie: I never expected to find rectifying trust accounts and helping clients reconcile so rewarding! Getting them back on track, capably managing their accounts is a complicated process, but it’s really interesting. I also love working with the team, developing and learning collaboratively.

Shannon: The real estate industry sometimes gets a ‘bad rap’. How would you describe the industry you service?

Shelley: All industries have elements of good and bad. You have to be hard-working, self-motivated and professional to be successful in the real estate industry.

Billie: It’s a shame the industry is seen in such a bad light. Over the years it’s changed dramatically, particularly in terms of regulations. Offices and agents are very regulated now, so the perceived level of misconduct is incredibly misaligned with reality. People assume that as a buyer or vendor they’re going to get ‘ripped off’ by a dodgy agent, but in the 6 years I’ve worked in the industry, I’ve ever witnessed anything like it.

Shannon: Can you name two individuals you find inspiring, and describe why?

Shelley: Okay, first of all, Barack Obama! To me, he is a champion of justice and equality. His life story is so interesting and diverse, and he brings such passion and integrity to his fight for a fair and just world. His story is one to inspire a life based on doing what is right and fighting for those without a voice. Next, I’d say Ellen Degeneres. She’s a champion of humanity and her work to fight bullying is truly inspiring. Her tagline ‘be kind to one another’ is sometimes forgotten in today’s fast paced society. Often we need a reminder to appreciate what we have and embrace diversity – it would be boring if we were all the same!

Billie: For me, it’s my Mum. I know, I know, it’s a bit clichéd, but to me she’s a total inspiration. She always puts others first while still living her life and enjoying her hobbies. She’s the queen of balance! My second person has to be Rebecca Judd – she has it all going on!

Shannon: Ok ladies, time for a fun one. What’s your favourite Spotify playlist to work to?

Shelley: I love all music… anything that makes me want to dance!

Billie: Ooh, mine’s ‘Coffee and Chill’ as it has so many different artists I love, like Bon Iver and The Jezabels.

hastings+co are excited to welcome Billie and Shelley to our team. Whilst today’s blog is only a brief introduction to each talented team member, hastings+co clients will enjoy getting to know the talented pair.