Real estate is a dynamic and flexible career path, and despite the slowdown of our economy according to Real Estate Authority figures more than 1500 people had licence applications approved so far this year - bringing the total number of qualified salespeople across the industry to 15,540.

It’s no secret that the market has been particularly tough over the past couple of years with rising inflation and skyrocketing interest rates, but for many who still chose to take all of that on the chin say the hustle has been worth it.

So what made some of our newcomers want to join the Bayleys team, how have they found the market, and what’s the one piece of advice they’d give to themselves if they could do it all again?

MELISSA TAYLOR - BAYLEYS REMUERA

For Melissa Taylor, property runs in her blood. She says she was “raised in real estate” and her dad was also an agent.

“He trained us from about 5 years old that if you answer the phone you've got to act enthusiastically and as if it could be a client at the other end. That's when I knew I’d always get into real estate.”

“Everyone always used to laugh as when you’re in your twenties people are usually reading fashion magazines, and I just loved reading The Property Press. My favourite thing to do is go to open homes as well, so it's always been a real passion of mine.”

She says she thought about making the move over a couple of decades but in that time built a successful career in television and media instead.

“It was about finding when the time was right. When I left media, I still really loved it but my children were adults, and I could finally commit myself to real estate on the weekends.”

Taylor believes the negotiation and relationship skills she gained before her pivot into real estate have been invaluable to make the move.

“With media you're trying to connect clients with viewers, and in real estate you're trying to connect people with property.”

“I reached out to quite a lot of people before I made the change, and the biggest thing for me was taking the advice that people had given me, listening and learning as much as I could.”

She hit the ground running in July this year and hasn’t looked back.

“I’ve had my first sale already, and I’ve got seven listings working alongside Wendy Fenning from Bayleys Remuera. It's been incredible to work alongside someone to give me that confidence.”

Taylor says partnering up with someone as a newbie isn’t a one size fits all approach, but for her it was a natural fit.

“The mix definitely has to be right, but I do think that if you can start out by learning from other people in the office who are willing to give you the opportunities you should jump at the chance.”

It was a good thing too, as Taylor came in during one of the toughest times for the market. But it's something she believes has been a good thing for honing her craft.

“Everyone has always said to me that you don’t want to start at the peak of the market, because you need to actually learn. You need to be able to go out there and really pitch for listings, understand your business and what you're trying to do, rather than have things given to you.”

“Even in a hard market properties still sell, and it's been interesting watching people's confidence come back as the OCR comes down.”

Since she got her real estate licence, Taylor says she’s really focused on learning as much as she can while on the job.

“Bayleys have incredible learning and development opportunities. So right from when I started, I was still doing courses that help to get you prepared and understand the market.”

“I have never contemplated working for anyone else in real estate. I love that it’s a family business that’s grown to such a scale, and now with international connections like Knight Frank and McGrath.”

As for the one piece of advice she would have given herself on day one?

“You’ve got to be self-motivated. Treat this like your own business, put the hours in and do the work.”

NICK GILBERT - AUCKLAND CENTRAL

Nick Gilbert has always had a long-standing connection with Bayleys and toyed with the idea of becoming a real estate agent for a number of years.

“A lot of my friends work at Bayleys, and I've always been around property.”

“I've always been in sales and ran my own businesses for a few years, but I finally decided that I was in a position to make it work and follow my passion for real estate.”

Gilbert also joined the team in July after deciding he was going to give it his all.

“From when I started studying to when I was actually licensed was within a six-week period, and that’s probably as quick as you can possibly do it.”

Before he knew it, he hit the ground running quickly building up a string of listings, and instead of partnering up with another agent he says he chose to learn the ropes on his own.

“I've come from a background of really challenging sales environments, so I'm coming into it from a more experienced perspective, whereas a lot of people coming in are probably quite new.”

“For the first three months every day I would leave the office at 2pm and go door knocking till 5pm. I also went and spoke to all the top agents and asked lots of questions. I then used that to fine tune my own approach.”

What also helped with the transition was his previous businesses operating in the construction sector.

“It's an architectural lighting business, so working with architects and working with homeowners.”

He says what drives him is the passion he has for people.

“I love meeting people, building relationships, and providing people with good outcomes. The best part of the job is when you get a happy vendor and a happy purchaser.”

He currently has his first property under contract. With high hopes for another two, and says he’s used the sluggish market as a learning tool.

"It's an industry where you get what you put in. Your income is directly correlated to the amount of effort you put into this. I also don’t buy into the negativity; all it means is that you have to work harder for a dollar.”

“My view is the market's the market, it doesn't matter, you just have to work hard, and if you've worked really hard through a bad market, you'll do exceptionally well in a good market.”

He says persistence and a high level of motivation also helps.

“The difference between a good agent and a great agent is the follow up. I don't stop, and that's how you get things done.”

Gilbert’s one piece of advice for people starting out in real estate is also to treat the role as your own business.

EMILY SMITH - BAYLEYS ASHBURTON

Based in Ashburton, Emily Smith began selling real estate in 2023, but she’d already gained some experience in the office before then.

“I joined Bayleys back in 2021 and started as a PA in Christchurch. I took the role knowing that I wanted to get into sales eventually, but I wanted to learn the ropes first.”

She worked there for six months before moving to the rural side of the business - experience she says helped her ease into a sales role.

“I also think the way I work now is definitely all credit to the agent I was the PA for. All of the systems and processes I was able to get down pat, and all of which I’ve implemented into my own business. So, I would 100% recommend following a similar pathway into sales.”

Before real estate, Smith was working in marketing and communications for an animal health company. She says she never expected to make the leap into the industry, but says it was the right fit after her grandfather was in real estate as well as her mum for the past 20 years.

“I never thought about it too hard, but I definitely had a passion and now that I’m here I know that this is definitely for me.”

Smith completed her papers at the same time as she worked as a PA, and kept chipping away at the role until the right opportunity came up.

She still remembers her first sale as if it was yesterday.

“I was on it with another agent, and it was a beautiful weatherboard home with a deadline sale that actually went as smoothly as possible. It was a real buzz.”

It was a big achievement considering the market was falling after a peak in November 2021. But like many other newcomers, Smith believes starting during the hard times has made her a better salesperson.

“If you can do okay during these times, you'll do absolutely fine when the times are good.”

“It's been a great start here in Ashburton. Things tick along steadily, and we don't get the high-highs or the low-lows. So, I've definitely found there's always been the next one to look forward to.”

Smith says it’s the perfect place for her to keep growing her business, and she eventually wants to get to a point where she can build her own team and have a PA of her own.

“I love mid Canterbury; it’s got that rural community feel. I often see my vendors and buyers at the coffee shop and out at restaurants. I really love bumping into the people I've worked with over the last couple of years.”

If she could turn back the clock, the advice she says she’d give herself would be to “back yourself”.

“It was a huge step for me going from PA work into an agent role. I remember being quite terrified, but you’ve got to grab the ball by the horns and rip into it.”

“I heard this from another agent and it's really stuck with me the whole time. It's if you take care of the work, the work will take care of you, and I truly believe that.”