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Prominent local real estate agent <a href="https://zango.com.au/agents/jess-smith-3/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jess Smith</a> is breaking new ground in <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/city-act-2601/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Canberra’s</a> real estate market with her appointment as the Principal and Head of Sales at <a href="https://zango.com.au/agencies/stone/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stone Gungahlin</a>.<a href="https://zango.com.au/agencies/stone/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stone Real Estate</a> is based in <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/sydney-nsw-2000/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sydney</a> but is slowly making its mark across the east coast of Australia, with a stopover in Canberra along the way.Jess Smith joins the company after 10 years of real estate experience. Her appointment is part of Stone Real Estate’s expansion into the ACT.<img alt="Jess_Smith.jpg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Jess_Smith.width-800.jpg" width="800">Originally from <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/batemans-bay-nsw-2536/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Batemans Bay,</a> Jess moved to Canberra in 2007 to start university but decided she wanted to further her career in something more people related.“I was fortunate enough to be given an associate role at LJ Hooker and I had an amazing mentor at the time,” said Jess.“I then worked for McGrath and after ten years decided I was ready for the next step.”This is a defining career moment for Jess, who can’t wait to make her mark in the new role.“I feel like I have a lot to give in the industry and there is a lot of things I would love to change around customer service,” said Jess.When asked about the nature of Stone Real Estate, Jess sang their praises as an “innovative” agency that is just what the property market in Canberra needs.<img alt="JessSmith_HighRes-9839.jpg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/JessSmith_HighRes-9839.width-800.jpg" width="800">“I don’t think technology is being leveraged properly in this industry and what I love so much about Stone is that technology is being embraced there,” said Jess.“In Canberra, we have one of the most intellectual, switched-on demographics in the country and I feel as though we are ready for some technology and change in the market”.“I’m part of that generation that wants things faster and Stone gets that and has platforms that provides information quicker to the client.”Having only opened its doors in <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/gungahlin-act-2912/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gungahlin</a> this month, Jess said she has been overwhelmed by the support from her clients and colleagues.“Just the other day a client walked over, bought a bottle of champagne and we cheered to this new chapter,” said Jess.“I also have the most amazing team and I couldn’t do it without them.”A decade into her real estate career and it doesn’t seem to be ending for Jess anytime soon. Why would it when you work for Stone Real Estate?“Stone is just about as close to family as I could find”, said Jess.

Jess Smith On Canberra's Newest Agency, Stone Gungahlin

Moving from <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/harden-nsw-2587/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Country NSW</a> to the <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/city-act-2601/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bush Capital</a> as a school leaver, <a href="https://zango.com.au/agents/chris-fredericks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chris Fredericks</a> has asserted himself into Canberra’s property market and never looked back.Just four years ago, Chris started his career at <a href="https://zango.com.au/agencies/luton-gungahlin/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Luton Properties Gungahlin</a> as a receptionist with no real estate qualifications.Now, he finds himself as a young, passionate and ambitious registered agent who is named one of Luton&#x27;s Top 10 sales agents.Chris said he is proud of his career journey so far, putting it down to the mentors he has looked up to along the way.“I am definitely proud of what I have achieved, but I can’t put it all down to myself because I have had great mentors and assistance,” he said.“My Aunt, <a href="https://zango.com.au/agents/suzi-wells-1/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Suzi Wells</a>, is the General Manger of <a href="https://zango.com.au/agencies/mcgrath-north-canberra/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">McGrath North Canberra</a> and I really look up to her as a role model.”“<a href="https://zango.com.au/agents/nick-paine/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nick Paine</a> also gave me my start in the industry, and I had a lot of exposure working with <a href="https://zango.com.au/agents/katrice-velnaar/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Katrice Velnaa</a>r.”Chris said that the guidance he received by those closest to him in the industry made for an easy transition when the time came for him to go out on his own.“The more I learned, the more I wanted to grow and start running my own business,” he said.“Just last year I was recognised as the highest business growth in the whole company.”“That was a really special achievement for me.”Putting his professional achievements aside, Chris does not forget where he was raised and how that has impacted his success.“I grew up in a small country town…and I have a lot of memories of my parents starting their own business from scratch, building it up to what it is today,” he said.“Their hard work was all I saw growing up and became second nature to me as I started building my own business.”Chris’ advice for those considering a career in real estate is simple, “stay true to who you are. Doing that will make people like you and come to you for their residential needs.”Chris is now in his second year of being a Sales Consultant at Luton and specialises in the areas of <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/amaroo-act-2914/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amaroo</a> and <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/palmerston-act-2913/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Palmerston</a>.When asked about a memorable sale, Chris did not hesitate to tell the story behind 25 Beazley Crescent in <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/calwell-act-2905/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Calwell</a>.“I had family friends I used to go skiing with who wanted me to sell their property. After one week on the market we had 50 groups through and achieved a result well above the asking price,” he said.“The buyers were first home buyers and we so excited because it ticked all the boxes for them.”“And at the same time, my family friends were so thrilled with the experience and helping them out was really special to me.”About 17 months into being a Sales Consultant, Chris epitomises the younger generation of real estate agents who are hungry for a successful career.Reflecting on this drive for success, Chris puts it down to his love for sport and people.“I used to play a lot of competitive sport and I don’t do a lot of sitting around,” he said.“I love socialising and you will often find me with friends and with a beverage of some sort in my hand.”Chris Fredericks is certainly a name that will be cemented in the property industry for years to come.

Chris Fredericks: The 23-year-old agent from Harden who is making his mark on Canberra’s Property Market.

When you first chat to <a href="https://zango.com.au/agencies/luton-weston-creek-molonglo-valley/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Luton Property’s</a> Real Estate Agent <a href="https://zango.com.au/agents/josh-wilson/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Josh Wilson</a>, you immediately get the sense that you are catching up with an old school mate: the conversation flows, time seems to disappear, and you find yourself constantly asking follow-up questions. It is not until Josh starts opening up about his life before real estate that you realise he has had a career one could only dream of.Before selling some of Canberra’s finest property, Josh made a career out of travelling the world and capturing some of life’s most important moments on camera. He spent 23 years as a cameraman for various Australian media outlets and reported on major international events, from the Sydney and London Olympics, to the conflict in Iraq - but it was perhaps going to the White House (not once but twice) and meeting former President Barack Obama that is a key highlight in Josh’s career.“With Obama, what you see on camera is what you get with him behind closed doors.&quot; Josh adds. &quot;He is really charismatic and easy to talk to.&quot;<img alt="Josh Wilson" class="richtext-image full-width" height="793" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2021-04-25_at_1.43.19_pm.width-800.png" width="800">Now residing in Canberra and working as a real estate agent with <a href="https://zango.com.au/agencies/luton-weston-creek-molonglo-valley/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Luton Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley</a>, Josh has left his whirlwind media career behind and reignited his passion for housing and the Canberra community he knows all too well.“I was born in Canberra and have a connection to the place,” he says. “I built a house when I was 25 and have always had an interest in housing.”<img alt="Josh Wilson" class="richtext-image full-width" height="791" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2021-04-25_at_1.37.43_pm.width-800.png" width="800">Communicating with people and dealing with highly stressful situations is second nature to Josh.“In my previous job I had to deal with stressful situations, which leads itself to a similar situation of dealing with people who are selling a house,” he says. “Selling a house is arguably one of the post stressful situations one can go through and I know how to stay calm and relate to people who are going through it.”<img alt="Josh Wilson" class="richtext-image full-width" height="298" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2021-04-25_at_1.37.34_pm.width-800.png" width="580">Josh notes that while his life as a cameraman and real estate agent are different in some respects, at the core of it, both jobs fuel his passion for helping people. &quot;When it comes to buying a home, it is such a big decision in peoples lives and a joyous occasion that I am lucky to be involved with.” Josh continues. “It is so nice to see people genuinely happy about finding their new home.”<img alt="Josh Wilson" class="richtext-image full-width" height="794" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2021-04-25_at_1.48.33_pm.width-800.png" width="800">When asked about a memorable sale, Josh did not hesitate to tell the story of a couple downsizing in <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/rivett-act-2611/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rivett</a>, whose house was appraised for between $900,000-$950,000 in November last year and sold at auction in February this year for $1.2 million. “The former owners were over the moon and we were all absolutely ecstatic.&quot; <img alt="josh_wilson_10_downing_st.png" class="richtext-image left" height="505" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/josh_wilson_10_downing_st.width-500.png" width="500">Reflecting on his colleagues at Luton Property, you can tell from the urgency in his voice that Josh is eager to tell anyone and everyone how deeply grateful he is for their mentoring. “I’ve been so fortunate to be surrounded by some of the best in the industry.” Josh adds. “They are all a wealth of knowledge and have been so generous with their time.”<img alt="Josh Wilson" class="richtext-image full-width" height="808" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2021-04-25_at_1.49.09_pm.width-800.png" width="800">Specialising in Canberra’s southern suburbs of <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/wright-act-2611/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wright</a> and <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/coombs-act-2611/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coombs</a>, Josh adds that he signed seven new listings last month, which was the busiest month he has ever had. “It’s been a pretty crazy ride,&quot; he says.Josh currently has a four-bedroom house at <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/35-ulysses-circuit-wright-act-2611-40623/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">35 Ulysses Circuit</a> in Wright that is inundated with interest.<img alt="35 Ulysses Circuit WRIGHT, ACT 2611" class="richtext-image full-width" height="528" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2021-04-25_at_1.52.41_pm.width-800.png" width="800">“We have had 28 groups through the first open home and 18 just last week,” he says. “It’s such a nice family home and the owners are lovely to work with.”While Josh may have a new job title, he remains at the heart of momentous events in people’s lives, and I have a good feeling that he will continue to be part of such special moments for a very long time.

Capturing The Story Behind Luton Property’s Josh Wilson

Set on an established tree-lined street in <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/oconnor-act-2602/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">O’Connor</a>, the four-bedroom property at <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/17-hobbs-street-oconnor-act-2602-39766/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">17 Hobbs Street</a> was built in 1958 and enjoys extensive views across the city towards Mount Ainslie and Mount Majura.From the outset, it is clear this property has plenty of street appeal and privity.“All the houses in the street have preserved their 1950s and 1960s characteristics,” said <a href="https://zango.com.au/agencies/ray-white/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ray White Canberra – Belconnen</a> agent <a href="https://zango.com.au/agents/nicky-symon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nicky Symon.</a>&quot;That is what the owners loved about it.&quot;<img alt="17 Hobbs Street O&amp;#x27;CONNOR, ACT 2602" class="richtext-image full-width" height="529" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2021-04-19_at_2.23.24_pm.width-800.png" width="800">Inside, the standard of the property remains high with Sydney Blue Gum hardwood flooring throughout and a fireplace in the living room for the whole family to huddle around on cool winter evenings.The property is spacious and practical, with three of the four bedrooms accompanied with built-in wardrobes. The main bedroom has the luxury of a walk-in wardrobe and a modern ensuite.<img alt="17 Hobbs Street O&amp;#x27;CONNOR, ACT 2602" class="richtext-image full-width" height="532" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2021-04-19_at_2.24.00_pm.width-800.png" width="800">The kitchen has recently been renovated to include a stone benchtop with a gas cooktop, electric oven, bespoke joinery and plenty of storage options.The location of the dining room is a key selling point, with family meals taking place against a backdrop of picturesque garden views.<img alt="17 Hobbs Street O&amp;#x27;CONNOR, ACT 2602" class="richtext-image full-width" height="527" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2021-04-19_at_2.41.42_pm.width-800.png" width="800">The property is ideal for outdoor entertaining, with a timber deck situated amongst established gardens and a fishpond, making it the perfect place to unwind.There is also a carport that has internal access and a single garage with plenty of space for extra storage.<img alt="17 Hobbs Street O&amp;#x27;CONNOR, ACT 2602" class="richtext-image full-width" height="534" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2021-04-19_at_2.23.13_pm.width-800.png" width="800">Other features of the property include double glazing, high ceilings, a spacious family bathroom and powder room, a living room, European style laundry and ducted gas heating throughout.No. <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/17-hobbs-street-oconnor-act-2602-39766/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">17 Hobbs Street</a> is set on a 686sqm block and is in walking distance to O’Connor amenities, including the local schools, parks and shops.<img alt="17 Hobbs Street O&amp;#x27;CONNOR, ACT 2602" class="richtext-image full-width" height="523" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2021-04-19_at_3.09.46_pm.width-800.png" width="800">Ms Symon said the home is in a great location.“There is a children’s playground at the end of the street and the home is a short walk or bike ride to the ANU,” she said.<img alt="17 Hobbs Street O&amp;#x27;CONNOR, ACT 2602" class="richtext-image full-width" height="532" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2021-04-19_at_3.10.43_pm.width-800.png" width="800">According to Zango Data, the property’s land value history has had a recent growth rate of 2.42%, giving it an unimproved land value of $745,000. As of 2021, the median sale price in <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/oconnor-act-2602/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">O&#x27;Connor</a> is $1.03 million.The charming cottage will go under the hammer on Thursday 22 April.You can view this beautiful home at <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/17-hobbs-street-oconnor-act-2602-39766/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">17 Hobbs Street</a> in <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/oconnor-act-2602/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">O&#x27;Connor</a> online. For further information, contact <a href="https://zango.com.au/agencies/ray-white/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ray White Canberra - Belconnen</a> sales agent <a href="https://zango.com.au/agents/nicky-symon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nicky Symon</a> on 0418 285 797 or <a href="https://zango.com.au/agents/elena-florez/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elena Florez</a> on 0490 516 347.

4 news articles with tag feature

Jess Smith On Canberra's Newest Agency, Stone Gungahlin

Chris Fredericks: The 23-year-old agent from Harden who is making his mark on Canberra’s Property Market.

Capturing The Story Behind Luton Property’s Josh Wilson

Charming renovated cottage with picture-perfect views for sale in O'Connor