Christine Henderson is a Property Partner with The Agency, with extensive experience in sales in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs as well as being an Auctioneer and a member of the REIV Sales Chapter Committee. 

Hard working and detail oriented, Christine is a genuine people person and really enjoys the human factor of working in real estate. 

She takes on each and every property for her clients as if she were selling her own home, and endeavours to create the most positive experience for everyone she works with.

Bayside born and bred, Christine grew up in Brighton and her Dad had the hardware store in the Beaumaris Concourse for over 20 years. She has raised her daughters in the area – oldest Charlotte is in second year university studying Dance at Victorian College of the Arts, and younger daughter Stephanie is in Year 12 at Kilbreda - wanting to a study Media and Design.

Image: Christine Henderson (centre) and her daughters at The Grand Canyon   Source: Christine Henderson

She is passionate about the area and the local history, and loves being ‘hyper local’ - exploring and discovering everything that the suburb has to offer, with capacity to be the area expert.

When Christine isn’t in the office, she cherishes spending time with her two daughters as well as her two rescue Jack Russells, and enjoys overseas travelling (when possible), baking cupcakes, yin yoga, and attending the horse racing during the Spring Carnival.

Image: Charlotte and Stephanie with Lucy and Gary   Source: Christine Henderson

WILLIAMS MEDIA spoke to Christine Henderson about the ever-changing Melbourne market in 2020 and her career.

What are your predictions about 2020 and how the lockdown is affecting the market in your area?

Family homes are ‘in’ as families are wanting more space, they are planning on working from home going forward and want home offices/dedicated study area, and gardens. Location is also important. 

During lockdown I have had so much engagement with my social media as I believe I live in the best 5km bubble and I think clients will assess theirs and want to move to Bayside.

Image: "I love baking cupcakes"   Source: Christine Henderson

What advice would you give to vendors for the best outcome?

Be ready, be prepared. Use this time to get your homes ready, prune the garden, plant seedlings, tend to the lawn, touch up your painting, clean windows, declutter, get the odd jobs done. Take advantage of working from home.

Don’t wait for restrictions to lift further, get your home listed now so that we have a plan in place and we are ready to go on market as soon as we can. There is a great pent up demand from buyers and they are ready to snap up good property! This is evident with so many homes being sold during the stage 4 restrictions sight unseen.

Image: Oaks Day 2019   Source: Christine Henderson

What advice do you give to buyers?

Be honest with your agent. The buyers that are honest and transparent are the ones we love to help get the deal done.

Also, speak to your broker, have your finance ready, know your budget and be clear with your property wish list and what you will and won’t compromise on. 

What are vendors saying?

They are eager to get their campaigns started or resumed after being on hold for the last eight weeks.

What are buyers saying?

‘Don’t forget me!!’ So many buyers are cashed up and ready to go. They have reassessed what they want in a home during lockdown and they will be fearless when it comes to buying.  I have a great list of buyers ready to go and ready to inspect that have enquired during lockdown.

Image: "Martinis on the Mountain, Palm Springs Modernism Week"   Source: Christine Henderson

Have you noticed any change in buyers and sellers since the COVID-19 situation began?

Yes, there’s more transparency and honesty. More raw conversations. People are reassessing their lives and what is important to them. Families are wanting more space, bigger gardens and better locations. In contrast, singles and couples are wanting to downsize and live more simply. 

Are the buyers changing?

Inner city buyers are wanting bigger homes, with less dense living, and so are moving further away from the CBD. These buyers are wanting to live closer to the bay.

Where do you see demand coming from?

Locals wanting larger homes, or outer suburbs wanting the sea change

Are they typically looking to buy holiday homes, investment homes or permanent residential?

Residential, it’s a very family centred area.

What are your interests outside of real estate?

I love travelling as a family and took my girls on a month-long trip to Disneyland and the States 2 years ago. We have invested in paddleboards for this Summer seeing as it looks like there’ll be no travel, and we try to beach walk everyday.

Image: "Disneyland with my girls"   Image: Christine Henderson

Melbourne is an amazing city – I love attending festivals, music concerts and events in the city and I have a subscription to the Melbourne Theatre Company.

I also love good architecture and have a passion for mid century homes.  I have been lucky to attend Modernism week in 2019 and 2020 in Palm Springs, and I also visited Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural school and his Winter home in Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona on my last trip. 

I also love attending Beaumaris Modern events including their walking tours and open day where you get to view amazing local homes of architectural significance.

What is one thing you have learned over your years as an agent?

Empathy and compassion are key. Sell your own home to know what is important as a vendor and know what the pain points are and eliminate them for your clients.  I treat every home I sell as if it was my own. Home is a sanctuary, and now more than ever it has to give you joy.

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