PHOTO: Sarah Hackett was named the Most Influential Woman in the Property Market at the 2023 AREAs awards.
Taking a daring step that would alter her career trajectory forever, Sarah Hackett, while serving as a real estate receptionist on Christmas Eve, embarked on a journey that would reshape her life.
This was during the late 1990s, a time devoid of emails, online property listings, and mobile phones—an era that Mrs. Hackett humorously describes as the “ancient times.” Recalling those days, she reminisces, “I remember the only way you could sell or buy properties was by physically visiting real estate offices or making calls because email and online listings didn’t exist. It was all about window cards.”
Her foray into property sales was catalyzed by a unique circumstance. During Christmas week, when most people were unavailable, Sarah received persistent calls from a woman interested in viewing a property. Faced with the challenge of her colleagues being absent, she agreed to open the vacant house for a walkthrough.
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“I walked up the steps of this house, thinking, ‘Please, don’t want to buy this. I have no idea what I’m doing. I’ve never been to this house, I’ve never been to the street,'” she recounted.
As she opened the door, the woman confidently declared, “I want it.” Sarah was taken aback, her face turning ghostly white. The woman reassured her, saying, “You don’t need to worry; I’m a lawyer. I will draw up the contract for you.”
Fast forward two decades, and today, Place Estate Agents, which Sarah Hackett now leads, boasts 19 offices across Brisbane with a staff of 550. In her twenties, she founded Place Estate Agents, investing all her resources into the business after just four years in the real estate industry. At the age of 26, she was already earning substantial commissions, all of which she reinvested in the business, a practice she has maintained for the last 22 years.
Reflecting on her journey, she said, “I guess it was having the courage to pioneer that and take on the responsibility… My passion is working with amazing people, selling these incredible homes to wonderful owners.”
Being a woman in the property sector hasn’t always been straightforward, according to Mrs. Hackett. When she started as a 21-year-old with blonde hair and enthusiasm, many men underestimated her abilities. She revealed that her “secret sauce” was to pay more attention to the wives when dealing with clients. She believed that wives, who often managed the household and made significant decisions, deserved extra consideration and empathy.
Place Estate Agent managing director Sarah Hackett specialises in Brisbane’s luxury & riverfront residential market. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
Mrs. Hackett asserted that women often excel as real estate agents and managers because they are better listeners, display empathy during negotiations, and are less driven by ego. As a mother of five, she acknowledged the sacrifices she had to make to reach her current level, including working every other Sunday. She credited her supportive husband, Damian, who is also the CEO of Place, for helping her in this journey.
Looking ahead, Mrs. Hackett is optimistic about the future of Place Estate Agents and aspires to expand the business to 35 offices over the next decade.
SOURCE: REALESTATE.COM.AU