Youtube: Real Estate Success Principles – Episode 12
🚀 Navigating the Staffing Shortage in Real Estate
I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with a long-time mate and Real Estate industry heavyweight, Mark Appleby, Managing Director of Buckmaster Hawkey — Melbourne’s most established Real Estate Recruitment Agency, proudly serving since 1981.
Our conversation couldn’t have been more timely. Right now, the industry is grappling with one of its most pressing issues: Staff shortages — particularly in the fiercely competitive Melbourne market.
Mark’s insights were too good not to share. Here’s a deep dive into what’s happening in Real Estate staffing right now — and what it means for all of us moving forward. 👇
🔄 Then vs. Now: A Shift in Staffing Expectations
When Mark and I first started out in Real Estate 20+ years ago, things were very different.
Back then, Real Estate roles were fairly rigid. Leasing, Property Management, and Trust Accounting were considered “back-office” functions. Skills were important — but there wasn’t nearly the same expectation for tech-savviness, customer experience, or brand representation that exists today. 🛠️
Fast-forward to 2025:
- Leasing Consultants are now expected to be digital communicators.
- Property Managers are more like portfolio strategists.
- Receptionists need to be CRM experts.
Mark pointed out that top-tier residential Sales Agents don’t even use Recruiters anymore — they’re directly headhunted (often before they even think about leaving!). 🧠
Recruitment is all about matching skills, experience, tech capability, and personal brand — a completely different game.
📊 Shrinking Portfolios, Rising Standards
One standout trend Mark shared was the shift in property portfolio sizes.
“It wasn’t unusual for a Property Manager to be handling 220 properties back in the day,” Mark said. “Today? Most are managing around 160–170.”
Why the reduction? Because today’s Rental Providers (and Renters) demand more proactive service. It’s no longer enough to simply manage — Property Managers are expected to:
- Anticipate issues before they become problems
- Communicate clearly and quickly
- Leverage technology to enhance the client experience
Ironically, while technology has made day-to-day tasks easier, it has simultaneously raised the bar for what’s considered excellent service.
🖥️ Technology: Revolutionising the Industry (But Not Replacing Experience)
Mark and I shared a few laughs about how things used to be — faxing résumés, booking flights through travel agents, manually filling out inspection forms.
Today, cloud-based platforms like Inspect Real Estate and Inspection Express are the norm.
But here’s the kicker: Technology is now an expectation, not a bonus.
It’s assumed that a Property Manager will be proficient with digital tools. However, despite all this tech progress, experience still matters more than ever.
Recruiters and Agencies are still laser-focused on:
- Understanding VCAT processes
- Managing compliance with evolving tenancy legislation
- Demonstrating solid tenure across previous roles
- Having a proven record of handling difficult portfolios
Quick job-hoppers? 🚩 Still a major red flag.
Proven operators? 🎯 Still worth their weight in gold.
👤 Your Online Presence = Your New Résumé
A huge shift Mark flagged: the rise of personal branding.
Twenty years ago, your CV and a good reference were enough. Today, employers often look at:
- LinkedIn profiles
- Facebook and Instagram accounts
- Even past public appearances (yes, reality TV counts! 📺)
“Candidates need to think: if I post this today, would a future Employer be comfortable with it?” Mark said.
👉 In today’s Real Estate landscape, your social media footprint IS part of your application. Not just the professional posts — but personal ones too.
Whether you’re actively job hunting or just thinking about your next career move, it’s time to treat your online brand like your personal storefront. 🛍️
📈 A Tight Candidate Market: An Opportunity for the Best
There’s no other way to say it: talent is in hot demand. 🔥
If you’re a solid, experienced Property Manager with good tenure and strong references?
✅ You can command multiple job offers.
✅ You can negotiate better salaries and flexibility.
✅ You hold more negotiating power than ever before.
But (and this is a big BUT): Only the right candidates — those who combine experience, tech skills, and a strong brand — are truly capitalising.
For Agencies, it means rethinking retention strategies. For candidates, it’s about positioning yourself smartly and staying sharp.
🙌 Final Thoughts: The New Rules of Real Estate Staffing
Real Estate Recruitment has changed dramatically — and the pace of change is only accelerating.
If you’re an Agency Principal, now is the time to:
- Invest in training and retention
- Prioritise flexibility and career growth
- Partner with a Recruiter who truly gets it (like Buckmaster Hawkey)
If you’re a Candidate, now is the time to:
- Sharpen your skills
- Polish your personal brand
- Seize the opportunities in front of you
And if you need someone to help guide that journey? I can’t recommend Mark Appleby and the team at Buckmaster Hawkey highly enough. 🤝
They’re genuine, Melbourne-based specialists who live and breathe Real Estate — and they’re passionate about helping both businesses and careers grow.
— Michael Furlong, Rent Roll Maximiser
Rent Roll Growth Consultant | Property Management Trainer & Coach | Conference Speaker | Podcast Host | Easy to follow Trello Online Systems & Procedures Manuals | Real Estate Agency “Systems” Specialist
At Rent Roll Maximiser, we provide tailored consulting services to help Real Estate Agencies grow and optimise their rent rolls. Whether you are looking to expand your rent roll, streamline operations, or enhance team culture, our expertise can guide you toward long-term success.
A 15-minute conversation today could significantly impact your Agency’s future profitability. Contact Us to discuss how we can support your business growth:
📧 michael@rentrollmaximiser.com.au
📞 (0425-713-571)
