Get to know Joseph Lordi, senior sales executive at Queensland Sotheby's International Realty

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Sep 3, 2018

Get to know Joseph Lordi, senior sales executive at Queensland Sotheby's International Realty

Joseph Lordi of Queensland Sotheby's International Realty has a plethora of advice for young people starting in the real estate industry.

Image supplied by Queensland Sotheby's International Realty

Joseph Lordi, senior sales executive at Queensland Sotheby's International Realty

Joseph Lordi spoke to WILLIAMS MEDIA about knowing your market like the back of your hand, and winning over client's trust.

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

I started out by applying online to a number of agencies and conducted a fair amount of interviews.

With no experience in real estate, it was relatively difficult to get my first job.

My family are in property development, so I have always been surrounded by real estate.

I did initially go to university for six months studying a property degree, however I decided to give real estate sales a go and I haven’t looked back.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Meeting new people every day is definitely the most enjoyable thing.

We’re very lucky to be able to meet some amazing and interesting people on this journey.

It definitely is refreshing and keeps me motivated to keep doing what I do.

I also enjoy the fact there is no cap on your skillset.

There is always something new to learn, always a new way to market a home, and there’s always a new negotiation tactic to implement.

128-crosby-road-ascot-2308a61d-eaca-4b5e-956c-b4b46ab717c7.jpg

128 Crosby Road, Ascot sold by Queensland Sotheby's International Realty, as seen on Luxury List

Can you tell us about an interesting property you’ve sold?

Every sale is different and interesting!

However in saying that, the most interesting property I’ve sold would have to be the ‘Batman House’ at 128 Crosby Road, Ascot which consisted of a 50m long concrete tunnel taking you to the underground garage.

It was also spread over six storeys - not many houses like that around!

The contract was very complex but luckily the vendor and the buyer were great to work with which made the process a lot easier for all.

What’s your advice to young people starting out in real estate?

The real estate industry is turning into a young people’s game.

I got into the industry at 18 years of age and was thrown in the deep end as a solo sales agent not really knowing what I was doing.

I learnt this game the hard way with no mentor and by making a whole lot of mistakes in my early days.

From my experiences four years on, this is my advice:

Believe in yourself and have the confidence of knowing you are the best person for the job without showing ego.

Know your market like the back of your hand.

When you first meet the client, act as if you have been doing this for over 20 years by showing confidence, high energy and impeccable market knowledge.

Clients want you to take control, lead them in the meeting.

Even though we do this every day, some homeowners haven’t had an appraisal in over a decade - help them out.

Ask questions, the client speaks 70 per cent of the time, and you for only 30 per cent.

You are in their living room to help, listen and then provide a solution to their problem.

Product knowledge is also key – know how homes are built and what the difference is between cheap and expensive material.

If you do the above things in every presentation, and you win the client's trust by doing so, you will significantly increase your chances to beat the local hero with 20+ years’ experience every time.

If you could change one thing about the real estate industry, what would it be?

Unfortunately, working in real estate, there is a major stereotype attached to the title.

Yes, to be honest, some agents align with that.

However, I believe it does not need to be that way.

Working in this job is already tiring enough so that is one thing I would love to change.

What’s your outlook for the property market in Brisbane for the next 12-18 months?

I believe Brisbane consists of the country’s best market at the moment.

There have been a number of records broken over the past 12 months.

I don’t believe this will slow down and I have an itch (and hope) a large upward shift is not far away.

Where do you live now, and what would be your dream home if you could live anywhere in the world?

I live inner city at the moment but a nice home on the Greek Islands wouldn’t be too bad.

However, I don’t think there are many places better than our Sunshine State!