Simon Doak's advice to newcomers in real estate is to be ethical, and open to change and ideas. 

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

I got into real estate from being a motor mechanic and service manger for a major group, as I was looking after a prominent eastern suburbs real estate agents car.

He mentioned that I should try real estate as I was quite good and open to deal with and he said “the industry does need more agents that have a genuine approach and not sleezy fibbers”.

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

1. The flexibility
2. The fact you can earn as much or as little as you like, depending on hard you work at it 
3. The negotiations between buyer and seller

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

I sold a house in Paddington, Sydney which was known as the 'murder house', and I had the privilege of selling the home twice over.

I had to disclose to all buyers that a death took place from unnatural causes, and still to date the culprits haven’t been found.

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

Align yourself with an agency you feel you can grow with, as some agencies will only let you grow so much, as they don’t want you to be as successful as the principal.

My philosophy is grow, grow, grow to your full potential with no boundaries.

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The only thing I ask is to be ethical and open to change and ideas.

Work hard to become an assistant to a lead agent, and learn as much as you can.   

Also don’t be in any rush to conquer the world in 12 months, as there is an incubation period.

Related reading: Sydney's most tightly-held suburbs

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

That all agents need to be licensed, and that we must disclose our reasonable selling price as mentioned on our agency agreement to any potential buyers, for transparency.

Still to date this is not happening, only a few people I know of do comply with this.

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

Darlinghurst as a market is very similar to Paddington and all inner city markets.

They are markets that are somewhat immune to a true down turn, as buyers are continually excited about the prospect of living in the inner city for schools, transport, and access to the CBD by a 15 to 20 minute walk.

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So I call these inner city markets recession and depression proof.

I think we will see single digit growth over the next 12 to 18 months, and from buyers a steady approach rather than the 'fear of missing out' of the last 12 to 24 months.      

Related reading: Auction results show Sydney is in a "normal real estate market"

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

I live on the upper north shore for space, as I feel I’m a little attached being in the market six days a week, so it is nice to come home where no one really knows me, and I can relax one day a week with my family.

If I had a choice I would live on the most beautiful harbor in the world - Sydney Harbour.

I have travelled around, and I really feel we are living in the best place on earth.

If they found civilization on Mars that would be a great adventure!

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