An Interview With Liz

Last update: 02 October 2009.

Almost four years ago Resort News published a preferred supplier profile about one of the most recognisable and experienced people known in the management rights industry, Liz Lavender, principal of Liz Lavender Management Rights. In this update, Resort News examines how her business is progressing and to find out what makes her tick.

Liz started her career in real estate in 1992, after previously working as a secretary in the UK, US and later in Sydney. In 1995, Liz was one of the first agents to specialise in management rights working with early pioneer, Dave Allen. At this time Liz was recognised for her exceptional achievements as a finalist in the Gold Coast REIQ Salesperson of the Year Award. Liz has paved the way for other women to enter the industry, which is still predominantly male.

She has shown that she has the strength of character to succeed within a very competitive industry and achieve the best outcomes for her clients.
Liz took time out of her busy schedule to speak with Resort News.

RN: You have been in real estate for some time, what do you put
your success down to?
LIZ: Not many agents in the industry today have provided continuous service for over 17 years, I put my successful sales career down to working long hours, sometimes over 60 hours a week, and keeping up with the ever evolving industry trends. Every sale I make means a lot to me because I always get a great sense of achievement by matching the right people with the right property.
RN: How do you find being the only woman principal in a specialist agency?
LIZ: Absolutely fabulous; it?s a personal honour for me. I?m very pleased with my decision to stop working for larger management rights companies and commence my own business. I enjoy everything from listing to selling and I?m sure the feminine approach is a factor of my success. Sometimes it can be hard working in a mostly male environment but I think I?ve proved that I can match it with the best of them and provide an individual service which considers both partners in what is predominantly a couples-style management industry.
RN: You do your best to promote women in industry, don?t you?
LIZ: Yes, I?m heavily involved in support systems for women in management and I am a strong advocate for LIM (Ladies in Management), that includes the monthly lunches where we also help our community by raising money for local charities.
RN: So you see your role not only as a management rights broker but something more than that?
LIZ: That?s very true; most of my new clients are making life changing decisions as they have come from other industry sectors such as teachers, accountants and public servants amongst others. Networking and assisting new managers to source the best possible advice and services is also part of the job. My commitment to my clients doesn?t just end with a sale or a purchase. I have made so many friends in the industry that I am always in touch with new events, trends and solutions.
RN: Can you estimate how many millions of dollars in sales you
must have had been involved with in your career?
LIZ: It is hard to say exactly, but I would estimate that I would have been involved in over $400 million in sales over the past fifteen years. Remember in 1995 the average sale was under $1million!!
RN: You obviously have a lot of passion for this industry?
LIZ: It is a huge part of my life, right from when I was rewarded with the REIQ Award, through to always being a high achiever wherever I?ve worked, to the pinnacle of my career as a principal of my own successful management rights agency.
RN: Where do you see your future in management rights?
LIZ: As my business continues to grow I am determined to always be able to provide direct one on one advice to my clients. I know that we are heading into a very important phase in the industry, where we will have to ensure that we can maintain diversity and independence, so there are always a variety of tourism properties available providing interesting and rewarding careers for people seeking to grow their own business.
RN: There should always be opportunities for new people coming into the business then?
LIZ: Yes, it is very important that in the future there are pathways for people to change careers and enjoy the benefits of such a dynamic industry such as the one we represent.
RN: Would you say it is easier now to enter management rights than 15 years ago?
LIZ: Yes, there are so many more skilled professionals and service providers now and communication of essential business information through publications such as Resort News. The industry has seen many changes since I started selling in 1995;
government legislation, ARAMA with its high membership,
to the sophisticated marketing of resorts via the
internet. Even as a salesperson today, the majority of my
clients come via the web rather than newspapers.
RN: Thanks Liz, to sum up, what do you put your continued
success down to?
LIZ: Hard work of course; you don?t succeed by being a part timer. I like to think I?m very focused, a professional agent with empathy and excellent after sales service which leads in turn to a loyal client base, most of whom I can claim to be personal friends. I can thank my network of business professionals who are specialists in their own fields of expertise, which enable most of my sales to run smoothly from contract to settlement.

Testimonials

?Liz Lavender, your only choice in professional management rights
sales."
David Percey _{^{- Marrakesh Resort and Silvershore on the Broadwater Resort}}

"As agents go, Liz is a 10."
Michael Larkin _{^{- Boca Raton}}

"Liz sold us Aloha Lane management rights and after seven years in the business she has recently negotiated our sale. She is the best!?

Wendy and Chris Secondis _{^{- Aloha Lane}}

"We first met Liz 15 years ago while we owned the management rights to Sun Village. Liz has always impressed us and was involved as our exclusive agent during the sale of our second building, K Resort in Surfers Paradise. Liz also found our current building, Kensington on the Park. Not many agents have her expertise and work ethic."
Alan and Sue Edwards _{^{- Kensington on the Park}}

?As a real estate agent for many years, I can honestly say only 1% of sales people really focus and go the extra mile. Liz has sold us in and out of buildings and she?s in that 1%."
Tony Cockburn ^{_{- ex Roseland Gardens and Surfers Del Ray}}

?We look on Liz as not only our preferred agent but also a friend we?ve met in the industry.?
Gary and Colleen Lynch _{^{- ex Silverpoint Apartments and Surfers Palms East}}

?Liz never gives up, she works 24/7 for her vendors and clients.?
Matthew Tranter _{^{- Diamond Hill}}

?Liz only needed to show us one building and matched us up perfectly.?
54 Adrienne and Perry Potter ^{_{- Adelphi Springs}}

?An Interview With Liz Lavender.pdf??