Meet the first agent to sell 100 homes in Canberra in 1987

As Zango celebrated our first birthday this year, we were reminded of how important it is to take time out and honour a milestone – no matter how big or small.

Many real estate professionals in the Canberra region will celebrate their own achievements this year; be it sales targets, record breakers, or time spent in their career. And we want to celebrate with them!

Robert Potts from Independent in Gungahlin is this year celebrating an impressive 37 year career in real estate and at Independent Property Group.

Zango chatted with Robert about his experiences over the years, and what it was like to be the first agent in Canberra to sell 100 homes in the 1980s.

Robert, how did you get started in real estate?

I grew up on a farm in Murrumburrah (near Harden) and when I moved to Canberra I decided to join Independent.

It was 1984 and my brother was working for what was then Wellsmoore, so I was inspired to join Reg Daly Real Estate. The companies were connected, and later came together under the same banner which is now Independent Property Group.

I worked for Independent for 8 years before my Dad got sick and I went back to the farm to care for him. I spent a few years on the farm after that, and did several jobs including travelling around as a sheerer.

When I decided to move back to Canberra, I sold the farm and re-joined Independent – and that was 20 years ago now. So all up, I’ve been in real estate with Independent for 37 years.

Are you thinking of retiring soon?

Not today! I just sold a home yesterday and have a number of new listings that will go up this week.

I do consider myself semi-retired though. I now only do established homes and will take all referrals that come my way.

My son, Andrew Potts, also works with me and has been at Independent in Gungahlin for 15 years which has been great.

What has been your favourite part of working in real estate?

I have made some amazing friends over the years and am now selling homes for the grandchildren of the people I sold for in the early days.

I’ve also enjoyed watching the local market evolve over the years. We’ve more than doubled in population since the 1980s and a 3 bedroom ensuite home was around $59,000 back then – now it is $700,000.

Throughout my career I saw all the new suburbs in Tuggeranong and Belconnen as they were established – with house and land packages in suburbs such as Theodore, Calwell, Oxley and Florey.

More recently it has been the Gungahlin suburbs, so it’s been exciting to watch that unfold from Independent in Gungahlin.

What are some of your career highlights?

I have so many stories to tell from over the years. I think my proudest moment was being the first agent in Canberra to crack 100 sales, which I achieved in 1987.

Another proud moment was cracking 200 sales in a year in both 2012 and 2013.

I also enjoyed traveling around the world with Independent. I won Salesperson of the Year every year, so I was able to go with the team to countries like Hawaii, Bali, North America, and many more.

Independent has always felt like a family oriented business, and trips like these build team relationships which matters a lot because work is such a big part of people’s lives.