Weekly focus on who’s who in our local estate agents
Name Aaron Russell
Age 28
Where do you live? Holywood
Married/single? Engaged to Suzie and have a two-year-old son, Ollie.
Who you work for? BTWCairns
What brought you into the business?
I studied Estate Management in Edinburgh and always had an interest in land, construction and property in general.
Who has inspired you in the property world?
Many people have inspired me and continue to do so, such as my family, previous colleagues and the BTW Cairns team, as we are all being pro-active through what is an ever-changing market.
What do you have sitting on your desk?
My computer, many reports, a Blackberry, camera and diary.
Downtime is?
Spending time with my son and fiancée, Suzie, playing rugby for CIYMS and the odd round of golf — if I can get away with it.
Do you do lunch?
Yes, but often in the car on way to appointments — as I would be in and out a lot throughout the day.
What qualifications do you think are essential for estate agency?
I think it’s good to have a qualification as it presents a good discipline in business, but it is equally important to have good social and communication skills, and to understand and pre-empt clients’ needs.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I suppose, like any child, I always wanted to be like my father who I have always respected and works within the motor industry.
If you could give it all up tomorrow, where in the world would you move to, and what would you do?
I would love to move to New York. My fiancée and I spent a short period of time there and we both fell for it.
Any unfulfilled ambitions?
Travel the world, make my first million and follow a British Lions Tour!
What is the most common misconception people have about estate agents?
There is a stigma that agents have had it easy. I can assure you that’s not the case as my job involves a lot of hard work and time.
Your top tip for house-hunters is:
The shrewd purchaser must seek financial advice before house hunting and let an estate agent help you define your search. We are not out to sell you any house, we want to find the right one for you.
