Tamworth's top jobs: Property management one of the top five growing jobs

Fenn Real Estate owner Marie Fenn said it’s not the industry for everyone.

“It can be very daunting, challenging, rewarding and no day is ever the same – that’s why I love it,” she said.

“It’s not a nine to five job.”

With years of experience in real estate, Ms Fenn fell into the job when she worked as a receptionist for a franchise in Bondi.

Now, she owns her own business and employs one other staff member.

In her eyes the right person for real estate is someone who can multitask, compromise, deal with change quickly and communicate openly with clients.

One of the biggest challenges in the job is understanding the needs of all parties, especially in renting situations.

“You have to understand that for the people renting their home, this is their investment – a week or two without rent matters to them so you have to be able to nip rental arrears in the bud quite quickly,” she said.

“But on the other hand there can be a lot going on with the renter, they may have just lost a job or even more difficult they may be in a domestic violence situation – so you just have to work with them to try to come to a solution or a payment plan.

“Communication really is the key.”

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An aspect Ms Fenn really loves about her job is that no day is ever the same, but it can also add a lot of stress if it’s not managed well.

“For example today I had a couple of outgoings [inspections for rental vacations], but a client called with a burst pipe in Kootingal, so I’ve had to spend the morning dealing with that,” she said.

“You have to be able to prioritise your work, you might have 50 different clients with different issues.

“But I do it because I love it, in those moments where new home buyers take a photo outside of their house you feel really happy for them – that’s what I love.”

As an independent she said she strives for characteristics she has found are missing in bigger offices.

“What’s missing is respect for people, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a tenant, an owner, purchaser or vendor – respect is missing,” she said.

“There’s a lot of attitude from different people and you’ve just got to dispel that and treat people with respect, and you’ll see a big change in people.”