Ray White Sherwood principal Cameron Crouch and his partner and joint director Aimee Carding today opened Ray White Graceville, joined by Nanette Lilley’s long-term investment property clients.

“We are merging the two companies and Cameron will have three of my sales staff including my grandson Charles Lilley who has already transferred to Ray White with my blessing,” said Mrs. Lilley who entered the industry in 1972.

“Some of my staff will join Ray White Graceville and in the immediate future the business will remain in our premises at 291 Honour Ave, Graceville,” Mrs. Lilley said.

“I am officially retiring. I have had a long and successful career and I have no regrets. I am more than happy to hand over the responsibility to someone younger and enjoy myself pursuing other interests.

“I don’t want to be half in or half out of the business and I have come to the point that I want to just sit back and watch it move forward into the future. I am keenly interested to see my grandson Charles Lilley continue to develop his career at Ray White," she said.

Mrs. Lilley is now writing a book about women in real estate in Brisbane. Her first book Welcome to Laurel Avenue was well received.

Mrs. Lilley told WILLIAMS MEDIA her new book will trace the history of the women who paved the way in real estate.

"I'm not a feminist, but I believe the women who paved the way should be recognised. I've never experienced sexism in the industry, but some of the women I'm interviewing for the book have. It depends on your experience I suppose, but I have always been well respected by the men I've worked with," she said.

"I have no regrets about leaving, I have met some wonderful people along the way, particularly women. I've nurtured lots of women throughout my career," she told WILLIAMS MEDIA.

Mr. Crouch said he had long admired Mrs. Lilley and the way she grew her business to become a premier agency in the western suburbs.

“We are so excited that Nanette has entrusted us with her staff and landlords. She grew to be one of the biggest and best businesses in the western suburbs and we aspire to emulate her business growth,” Mr. Crouch said.

“Nanette has always had such a long and loyal relationship with her clients and moving forward we are honored to have them as our clients as well," he said.

Ray White chairman Brian White said he was delighted to see such an iconic Brisbane business passing to Ray White’s care.

“It is such a compliment to my family and I that Nanette chose Ray White to pass her business to. Nanette has always had such a high standing in the real estate community,” Mr. White said.

“It is wonderful to see that she entrusted her career clients to Ray White, and even more so the future of her grandson Charles Lilley. It’s great to see the Lilley association is still in the market.”

Mr. Crouch’s grandparents were long-term clients of Mrs. Lilley’s, so the two families have been connected for a long time.

“The merger makes sense to me and I feel comfortable with it. The fact that Cameron and Aimee were opening a Graceville office anyway meant that the timing was perfect for all of us,” Mrs. Lilley said.

Related reading:

Proportion of women working in real estate is growing, says report

Women dominate novice auctioneering competition

Women must improve financial literacy to shoulder hard times, survey shows