At the forefront of industry consistently for over 35 years, Blackshaw Real Estate has achieved many milestones during that time – including winning multiple industry awards and clinching Canberra’s first ever one-million-dollar home sale in 1988 and two-million-dollar sale in 2001. Clients feel confident dealing with a trusted name in the industry.
Tell us about your agency.
The homegrown success story of industry leaders known as Blackshaw Real Estate here in the ACT, Queanbeyan and surrounds, to the South Coast region, is both rare and impressive in an industry dominated by a few select and heavily franchised brands across Australia over the past few decades. While the recent golden era of property prices saw new ‘pop-up’ agencies come to life, the Blackshaw story holds strength, longevity, and reputation beyond 35 years with its first sale in 1988.
What are the keys to a successful real estate agency?
Andrew Chamberlain joined the original Peter Blackshaw team back in 1990 and quickly established himself as one of the most capable and professional property sales agents in Australia. Now at the helm as Managing Director of Blackshaw Real Estate, Andrew continues to maintain the momentum of success for the privately owned company, steering the ship for this team of 100 professionals, across eight different offices with a leadership team of highly respected and recognised Principals.
A concrete reputation and arguably ranked in the top position in market share was never about being big, but taking each step in the right direction, says Andrew.
“It’s always been about delivering real estate at its most professional level across everything we do. Blackshaw stands for quality, and the respect we have for our clients, for the properties we sell, for the environment in which we work, and for the people who are part of our business,” he says.
Pat Jameson, Principal at Blackshaw Coastal, adds “providing sellers and buyers with good information is crucial to making informed decisions. Being honest and transparent builds great foundations for long-term relationships.”
Pat is a familiar and well-known face to the South Coast community. A highly respected leader in real estate in the Batemans Bay area, Pat joined the Blackshaw family from a national brand three years ago, bringing with her detailed market knowledge and a prominent reputation for always going above and beyond for her clients.
“As we celebrate the third anniversary since opening the Blackshaw Coastal Office, we are proud to have been able to help 252 wonderful clients buy and sell over the past three years. When the office started, we had a team of three and we have gradually evolved into a team of seven and are delighted to be welcoming a well-known Canberra identity to join the sales team in August,” Pat says.
What are your agency’s goals?
“We only benefit when our clients benefit. We are here to help people and exceed their expectations,” says Michael Braddon, Principal, Blackshaw Gungahlin.
Beyond experience, perhaps the most refreshing thing about Blackshaw agents is their understanding in the role they play for their clients, in actioning what for most people is the largest financial transaction of their lives.
Michael Braddon opened Blackshaw Gungahlin in 2003. Canberra born and raised, he has forged a reputation across the northern Canberra suburbs for his expertise and exceptional customer service, where you’ll often hear clients and staff say that they’re treated like family. And since 2015, the agency has raised over $197,000 for local children’s charity, Stella Bella Little Stars Foundation. His constant generosity – whether by giving back, offering his time, or providing advice – Michael strives to do what’s best for his clients and their future.
“Our goals are to keep learning how to better service our clients, to excel with technology, and build teams of versatile proficient agents who are committed to working in alignment with our core values, Michael says.
“Many of our agents here have decades of experience so individually, they’ve seen the market cycle many times. There’s no substitute for this experience so we invest greatly in training, mentorship programs, and developing the skills of our high achieving younger agents,” Andrew says.
“In the market we’ve just had there were homes selling $400,000 to $600,000 above the reserve price, and you can’t put a foot wrong in that process when there is that amount of money at stake.”
What have been your agency’s greatest highlights over the years?
As Blackshaw celebrates 35 years of service in 2023, they’ve recently reflected on some pivotal milestones. Along with dozens of local and national real estate awards and accolades, they’ve made history – with the sale of the first one-million-dollar home in Canberra in 1988, and first two-million-dollar home in 2001.
“We’ve been part of the fibres of this capital community and we’ve helped it grow, from the expanding capital hills to the lively coastal shores. Our growth demonstrates the development and expansion of our communities. Each step of the way has been tremendously rewarding,” Andrew says.
Since 2010, Alex AhKey has led her passionate and dedicated Blackshaw Queanbeyan & Jerrabomberra team to success by offering a guaranteed 24-hour communication service for clients that is unique within our industry. Alex’s laser focus on providing the best client experience across both property management and sales has resulted in many prestigious awards both locally and nationally, including 2023 REIA National Small Residential Agency of the Year, 2022 REIACT Small Residential Agency of the Year, and induction into the REIACT Hall of Fame in 2012 – an incredible accolade that Alex was the first property manager and individual agent to receive.
“The best thing about working in real estate is helping and making people happy. Clients, staff, customers. I do what I do because I love it and honestly couldn’t imagine a career in anything else. Success is my inspiration. Not necessarily financial success but a combination of repeat and referral clients, business retention, staff retention, feeling I’ve accomplished something meaningful after a long day. Getting a great result for a client. It’s a rush every time,” Alex says.
What are the core values of your agency?
“Our values guide everything we do and ensure we’re working in the best interests of our clients and the community. Authenticity and honesty underpin the relationships and trust we build with our clients,” says Matt Sebbens, Principal, Blackshaw Belconnen. Exceed beyond expectations. Forging the future. Insistent on integrity. Humble while hungry. Committed to community. Dedicated to development.
Matt joined the Blackshaw family in 2014 and opened the Blackshaw Belconnen office, in Florey, in 2018. As a high-performance leader for the Australian Institute of Sport before migrating his skills into real estate, Matt is a values-driven leader, who unites individuals through purpose, with an unwavering commitment to excel and change the identity of real estate in the market – agents are athletes.
“We are passionate about delivering powerful property experiences for our clients. Influenced by our traditions, with a strong focus on the future. We strive to achieve excellence for our industry,” Matt says.
What sets your agency apart from others?
Blackshaw is a known leader symbolising community, mastery, and integrity, with significantly more suburb records than any other agency across all service areas. They employ the largest concentration of high performing agents and is 100 per cent locally owned and operated.
“People tend to gravitate toward the businesses that have been through previous cycles when putting their home on the market or looking to choose a property manager during these times. There’s confidence in dealing with a brand that has been at the forefront of industry consistently for over three and a half decades and rightly so,” Andrew says.
Blackshaw Weston Creek and Molonglo Principal, Sean Rogers, has spent much of his life in the Weston Creek region, heavily involved in community and sports. His office opened in 2021 and his team of local ambassadors have quickly developed a reputation for backing local sports and volunteering at local philanthropic events.
What can clients expect from your agency?
Andrew upholds a strong philosophy to his work that pushes him and his teams to consistently perform at their best.
“Selling your client’s home is a great responsibility, and I think that can be lost on people. It’s a big asset and most people transact properties very infrequently. The job done right can mean the difference for some people of $100,000 or $200,000.”
Being an expert in real estate means having extensive knowledge, experience, and understanding of various aspects of the real estate industry. It involves a deep understanding of market trends, property valuation, financing options, legal regulations, property management, and negotiation skills. An experienced agent stays updated on current market conditions and uses their expertise to make informed decisions and recommendations regarding buying, selling, investing, or managing real estate properties.
Pat reminds her team “to work together and offer the best possible experience for all our clients, ensuring they have access to all available information to support their decisions and to always be honest and transparent about the process”.
Matt is determined to ensure his team “provide information that will empower our clients to understand the current property market and allow them to make informed decisions about the sale or rental of their property. We aim to exceed all expectations by delivering a comprehensive wrap-around service.”
How can people get in touch?
The award-winning team of Blackshaw experts would be happy to discuss your real estate or property management needs with you, and help you navigate the changing market.
Email [email protected] or call 1300 550 240.
Visit www.blackshaw.com.au
