Story Seller with Reed & Co
John Caruso meets the agent who loves the stories behind the sales.
Name
Kate Cox
Agency
Reed & Co
You’ve said every sale has a story, is there one that captures your heart?
We had a wonderful young couple who met in Europe and recently purchased a home near the Noosa River. The family lived in the area and he had grown up here before working and travelling overseas where he met his partner, now wife. They were looking for a home that they could grow into and found one that required some work, but to them it had character and bones. It was so nice to work with a young couple with dreams and plans.
What part of your story surprises people when they meet you professionally?
That I’m very down to earth, many see me from afar and presume I’m a little snobby but I’m the complete opposite. I love people and their stories.
Style and substance are often used to describe you; how does this transfer to how you present a home and show up for your clients?
The home must be decluttered and all personal items removed without the character of the home being lost. Maintenance on the property should be up to date – from window cleaning to gardens.
Personally, I like to be well presented every day, you never know who will walk into the office. I also am aware that I’m presenting a home so nothing too loud that takes your eye away from the home. No high heels to respect the floors of the home and I’m not a fan of bare feet. I’m there to do business so even though our clients can be as relaxed and casual as they like, I’m there to be professional so always make sure I look that way.
What does a typical day look like?
We rise around 5am and try to exercise every day, normally a Reformer Pilates class. Tony swims in the ocean most days and I like walking Noosa National Park, particularly on Sundays.
Then we get ready for work. No day is the same in real estate. You can plan your diary as much as you like but you have to be available for buyers or sellers. Real estate can look very glamorous, and it can be with beautiful homes and lovely clients but it can also be a lot of phone calls, emails, cleaning, organising people’s lives and negotiating, often into the evening or in the early morning.
What’s your go-to ritual, place, or practice to reset and be grounded?
Walking Noosa National Park – it’s a non-negotiable for me. If it’s not Noosa then its another National Park. I like tracks that are inland and have as few people on them as possible.
Reed & Co is involved in fundraising and community, what’s one project that’s close to your heart?
We have raised almost $1.5 million for paediatric hospital equipment by physically climbing mountains through the 6 Peaks in 1 Day challenge and we hold a Charity Gala every two years. All the team at Reed & Co put a lot of time and energy into it. We’re very proud to be part of this effort and it’s wonderful to meet families that have benefited.
After almost two decades in property; what’s changes have you noticed?
The buyers are much savvier. With the internet and AI all the information is out there and a lot of buyers study it and have done a lot of research before they call or walk into an open home. Also, the demographic has changed a little with a lot of younger families moving here looking for a lifestyle change. When you walk into a home for the first time, what do you instinctively look for?
The overall flow, any points of difference or outstanding features, and who the property will attract.
Advice for buyers playing the long game?
Look after the property. Keep it clean and tidy and spend money on the home every year. Make improvements, even if they are small and maintain or replace anything that is starting to age. If the home is well looked after you will get a much better price when you sell and you get to enjoy the benefits along the way.
What kind of Noosa do you hope future sellers and buyers will be helping to create through choices they make today?
I’m hoping that Noosa keeps growing. That doesn’t mean population, it means that people are starting or growing businesses and that they are upgrading or rebuilding their homes. That they are making Noosa a better place. We are not a quiet holiday destination anymore. We are an established, wonderful community that cares and deserves to grow into a place that people love to visit – and I hope they always do.
