After earning her real estate stripes at the lower end of the market, Carol Carter has come a long way. As a Senior Sales Executive for Queensland Sotheby's International Realty, she now sells luxury properties on the Gold Coast, and has taken out several prestigious awards during her long and successful career. 

She spoke to WILLIAMS MEDIA about her rise to the top of the industry, her outlook for the Queensland property market, and her advice to anyone starting out in real estate. 

How did you start out in real estate?  Have you always worked in the industry, or did you do something else previously?

I was working on a plan to get into real estate; however, I did not have experience.  To gain sales experience, I worked as a sales rep to learn the business of selling.  When I applied for a real estate sales position, nobody wanted to hire me because I did not have industry-specific sales experience.  That ignited a challenge so I persevered until finally I was hired.  Sixteen years later, I became the number one sales agent internationally for a multi-national real estate franchise.  Perseverance pays off, so never give up!

860 Gloucester Avenue, Whitsundays for sale through Carol Carter. View more of this property on Luxury List.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I don’t consider real estate as a job – for me, it’s a vocation. Real estate is a people business. I love working with people and they are my business, and that suits me down to the ground.
 
Can you tell us about an interesting property you’ve sold?
I was asked by a friend to help another friend sell a Sovereign Island house.  As I went for an inspection, the house was fabulous and the furnishings were even more divine.  I thought to myself, I know who will love this furniture, so I called my Sydney-based clients and invited them to visit.  The next day they flew up to take a look.  Not only did they love the furniture, but they bought the 11-million-dollar house to go along with it.

4 King Charles Drive, Sovereign Islands is for sale through Carol Carter. See more of this property on Luxury List.

What’s your advice to a young person starting out in real estate?
Two standout pieces of advice are:  first, opportunities are often right before you - open your eyes so opportunities do not pass you by.  Secondly, treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.

Check out this Hamilton Island property, for sale through Carol.

If you could change one thing about the real estate industry, what would it be?
It is an objective that I strive toward personally; which is to change the perception of the real estate industry to a profession of integrity, honesty and transparency.

What’s your outlook for the Queensland market for the next 12-18 months?

For Queensland, the future is bright both figuratively, as the weather is spectacular, and in terms of property sales and escalating value.  There is an exponential number of southerners and international buyers seeking a higher quality of life, and taking a second look at Queensland; particularly the Gold Coast.  It is a dynamic community and modern city where everyone is welcome.  

The tides have turned - years ago, we were selling predominately holiday homes, now we are selling predominately permanent homes.

This house on the Sovereign Islands is for sale through Carol Carter. See more of this property on Luxury List.

Where do you live now, and what would be your dream home if you could live anywhere in the world?
I live in Surfer’s Paradise.  I love traveling overseas; however, if I moved anywhere in the world, my choice is a beachfront home in Main Beach – a few kilometers away from my current home. 
 
Australia is hands-down the world’s best country and Main Beach exemplifies Australia at it's finest.  It is a vibrant beach side village with shops, cafes and restaurants; and where you can swim, beach walk, and enjoy the best that life has to offer. 

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