Our Team
Growing up in the family behind one of Melbourne's leading automotive businesses (the multi-site, multi-brand Penfold Motors group), Nick Johnstone understands what it takes to build a business. "A focus on service, a drive to succeed and the experience to achieve goals are just the start," says Nick. "The key to achieving success in any industry is to be passionate about what you do." In Nick, that passion extends to time spent developing property in Brighton and to years developing a network of contacts - families, investors and developers - in the area. However, Nick's passions extend well beyond the properties and people of the local market. "Real estate is about more than just homes and the personalites who inhabit them. Every sale is its own intricate process - from developing a marketing strategy, to setting a targeted advertising plan, to negotiating an above expectation result. Every step of the process requires rigorous application of sales and marketing principles and, at the ultimate end, the strength to achieve a stated price." With hundreds of auctions under his belt, Nick is one of Melbourne's most expert and experienced Auctioneers and is well-known for his assertive and tenacious style - he's even been known to accept $10 bids to maintain the momentum of his auctions! A licensed real estate agent with a Bachelor of Arts, Nick's greatest qualification is years spent negotiating the best results for his clients. "From a $150,000 Bathing Box to a $10 million Golden Mile estate, the principles to achieve a record-breaking result are the same," says Nick. "In every case our responsibilities are clear - we work for our vendors. Their interests are paramount. As the principal of the agency, each and every client has my attention and my commitment - whether it's providing regular face-to-face feedback, developing the most appropriate selling strategy, or holding firm in the final stages of negotiation." A Brighton resident for most of his adult life, Nick is deeply entrenched in the life of the bayside community. With children at Haileybury, he understands the needs of local families. As an "off-Church St" business operator, he sees the issues for local business owners. And as a property industry insider, he understands intuitively the shifts of the marketplace. Above all, as a passionate property professional, Nick has a true feel for the needs of sellers in this demanding marketplace - needs he meets with his own brand of personalized service and outstanding results.
With over 25 years' experience in the area, Chris is recognised as unquestionably one of the best and most well-known agents in Bayside. It's evident he genuinely enjoys building lasting relationships with his clients and the level of repeat and referral business he receives is a positive result of this. Chris was first drawn to Nick Johnstone Real Estate as he appreciates the company's unique "personalised, hands-on" approach which he believes is lacking in Bayside. "We share a lot of the same values in delivering not just good service but GREAT service" he says. Adept at marketing, negotiating and selling properties in all price ranges, Chris's use of targeted and affordable marketing is another similarity between his and NJRE's approach to a great outcome in any market situation. Living opposite the Brighton Baths (where he swims regularly) and having two sons who have attended Brighton Grammar; Chris is well involved in the Bayside lifestyle and regularly a familiar face in Church Street. Having sold properties in all ranges and infact says, "There is rarely a Brighton home that I have not been in over the years". Chris is one to contact for all your real estate requests - He will be pleased to assist!!
From a family of sales and business people, Jack Johnstone had a sole passion for Real Estate from a very young age. Choosing to complete a bachelor of Business (Property) at RMIT, Jack is a self-confessed "Real Estate nut"; following the trends and individual movements of properties within the market is second nature to Jack. Jack and Nick Johnstone Real Estate are a perfect fit. Jack wanted to go to an agency where he could be mentored and taught the best practise in Real Estate. "In the time I have been at Nick Johnstone Real Estate, I have been amazed at the team's ability to really work for their vendors, emphasise communication and market knowledge, and through this, achieve outstanding results". As well as working very closely with his cousin Nick Johnstone, Jack is focused on supplying an extremely extensive buyer data base to vendors, ensuring all potential buyers are alerted of current listings. Jack's heart and passion lies where he was born, bred and educated, Bayside. Jack's local knowledge and home-grown network are exceptional. A former student of Brighton Grammar, an active participant in local sporting teams (particularly tennis), an avid golfer where he is a member at Kingston Heath, Jack is well-connected and well-respected - well beyond his years. Driven by success, motivated by passion for the industry, educated in the market, for Jack Johnstone the future of Bayside real estate is bright.
With real estate his first and only career choice, Alan McGillivray has made property his life. Starting in sales before rising to own and manage his own agency, Alan has been a Licenced Estate Agent since 1985 and a property professional since his late teens. While always focused on property, Alan's career has spanned diverse roles. Moving into property development in the early 2000s, Alan made his mark on the Bayside suburbs, before returning to the world of corporate real estate in operations management for a multi-franchise brand. Alan's diverse roles have been intrinsic to retaining his enthusiasm for the industry throughout a long career. "Having worked in almost every area of the industry, I am very clear on the true meaning of success... and how to achieve it for my clients, "he says. Years of experience translate into a quietly confident style that sees Alan's clients benefiting from a highly strategic, goal-focused approach. Never flashy, always diligent, Alan's reputation for providing a superior real estate sales service is well-deserved. More than just a talented negotiator, Alan attributes his success to an innate understanding of his clients' needs and a committed approach to meeting them. "The industry is full of people who will promise you the world," says Alan. "But very few have the staying power to live up to their words. Behind the promises and beyond the self-promotion, the agents who perform are those who take a strategic approach to marketing, a diligent approach to communication and a persistent approach to negotiation." A Bayside resident with strong local expertise, Alan is raising his school-age family in the area and exhibits a solid working knowledge of the local sporting scene - garnered through mornings at the Thomas St netball centre, afternoons at the Oak St oval and early evenings at the Tulip St basketball courts. Combined with the all-hours demands of his career, it leaves little time for managing his own fitness... although it's hard to imagine that this dedicated agent is ever anything less than diligent when it comes to regular walking and semi-regular gym sessions!
Having lived in Brighton all his life, David known as "Turk" to all his friends is passionate about people and property. "I love the Nick Johnstone Real Estate model - it is all about personalised service and getting the best results, above all else, it is a great place to work because we are all locals who love property and it shows. The place buzzes with positivity". Turk has worked in Brighton Real Estate for many years and whilst mature in years, Turk recognised that moving forward he needed to be associated with a progressive brand that is at the forefront of innovative marketing and sales processes. "We meet every day and discuss each property - the service our vendors get is outstanding". Besides swimming at Middle Brighton every morning, "Turk" loves family, the Bombers and selling Brighton homes.
Highly credentialed and widely experienced, Anthony Meik brings a new level of expertise to Bayside property management as Nick Johnstone Real Estate's Senior Property Manager. With years operating at all levels of the market (from high-end re-locations, to high-density apartments), Anthony has an unparalleled understanding of the Bayside investment property market. But Anthony's expertise goes well beyond his experience. One of the few Melbourne Property Managers who is also a Fully Licenced Real Estate Agent, Anthony's knowledge of the rental market and of the broader industry has a solid academic grounding. At the same time, he modestly says that it is his ability to create and maintain lasting relationships that sets his property management style apart. "Understanding the dynamics of the marketplace is just the start," says Anthony "With every property we add to the Nick Johnstone portfolio I have one key aim - that is to provide the best property management service that my client has ever experienced." "To achieve that end, I recognise good service can mean something different to each client. For some, it means communicating in a highly-detailed and regular manner. For others, it means providing information on a need-to-know basis. Either way, my first priority is to understand enough about my clients to ensure their needs are met and their expectations exceeded." Anthony also notes that the ability to develop rewarding relationships goes beyond his clients. An additional benefit of his local knowledge is a strong and solid network of expert tradespeople - on call to provide their own above-expectation maintenance services as needed. Born, bred and educated (from kindergarten to VCE at Brighton Grammar) in the Brighton area, Anthony is a uniquely placed to understand the people and the place. As a landlord, Anthony has a strong attachment to property and an excellent understanding of the rewards that well-managed property investment can bring. Experienced, knowledgeable and strongly connected to the local community, Anthony Meik understands why a Bayside property is so many investors' preferred option ...and so many tenants' first choice.
Highly organised, calm under pressure and committed to ensuring life for her vendors (and co-workers) runs smoothly, Jen is an invaluable asset to the Nick Johnstone team. With an early career in retail and hospitality, Jen's administrative skills are virtually unparalleled and her drive to continue improving is never-ending. "My job is not just about organising the small details,"says Jen. " I take a view of the bigger picture and am always looking for ways to make life easy for our sales team and ensure that every stage of the sales process is seamless for our clients." Whether it's managing tradespeople to enhance a home's presentation, co-ordinating photographers, floor-planners and copywriters in line with the marketing strategy, or following through to ensure settlement is hassle-free, Jen has an organisational system to ensure a smooth ride. But there's more to Jen than practicality. Growing up by the bay, Jen has a fine appreciation for the emotional reasons why home-owners choose to live here, investors find value here and tenants seek to rent here. As a young mother Jen has an even finer appreciation for the family-wise environment of Nick Johnstone Real Estate. "Working in a happy and supportive team is just the start," she says. "In a small local agency, it's easy to feel at home... and we hope our clients feel that too."
At work in the blue-chip Brighton property market since her teens, Katie Reid is uniquely positioned to offer an opinion on what it takes to succeed in this demanding marketplace. "Commitment to service and unswerving perseverance in attaining results are the key factors in building and maintaining a solid client base." she says. "At the end of the day, vendors are focused on achieving their financial goals ...it's our job to give them the best possible experience on the road to achieving those goals." It's an ethos that has seen Katie through a wide-ranging apprenticeship in the world of real estate. From participating in international property trade shows in the challenging Asian market, to achieving a $6 million sale in her early 20's, Katie offers a unique combination of youth and experience...and the aplomb that come from her own natural grace and intuition. Perhaps part of this intuition comes from knowing the industry so well. Born into a family of builders, Katie has grown up with housing in her blood. She naturally understands what it takes to keep vendors satisfied and to keep potential buyers interested. "When you work at what you enjoy it comes easily," Katie says. "Having worked closely with Nicholas for a number of years, and having been involved in the expansion of Nicholas Johnstone Real Estate from its very inception, I've been very fortunate to receive a solid education in the industry." With a career that has ranged from marketing mansions on the Golden Mile, to helping families find their dream homes, to negotiating off-the-plan apartment sales, Katie is well-credentialed to hold an opinion on life in the bayside suburbs. Having lived by the bay all her life, Katie says she could never live far from the sand ... and she is quick to judge the Brighton area as the best place to live around the bay. |
Content © Nick Johnstone Real Estate ·
Real Estate Website Design by
ARO Real Estate Software © 2013