Women In Real Estate: Jacinta Cally

Introducing Jacinta Cally, the Business Development Manager at Belle Property. With a background in real estate dating back to 2018, Jacinta's progression from an Assistant Property Manager to her current position speaks volumes about her commitment to her career. Scroll to read about her journey from advancing through the ranks to setting suburb records...

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN REAL ESTATE?

Since 2018.

WHERE DID YOU START?

I started as an Assistant Property Manager at Laing+Simmons.

IS IT YOUR DREAM JOB?

I fell into the real estate industry straight out of high school, and after trying my hand in every aspect of it, I absolutely love what I am doing right now.

BEST CAREER EXPERIENCE?

Climbing from Assistant PM to Senior PM and being awarded Gold for Excellence in Property Management all within the first 2 years of my career. Most recently, however, achieving two different suburb records in the same week!

WORST CAREER EXPERIENCE?

Locking keys inside a property and having to exercise my retired gymnastic skills through a window in high heels. Lesson learnt – always keep the keys in your pocket.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT ABOUT REAL ESTATE DURING YOUR CAREER?

It is far more about people than it is about property. Every transaction occurs at a pivotal moment in someone’s life, whether they’re buying their first home or their tenth, moving out or on, downsizing, or investing. These are milestone moments, and we play a crucial role in each of them. Fundamentally though, real estate has little to do with the individual property and everything to do with the relationships you build, the care you give, the trust you foster, and the value you provide to your clients. Once the transaction is complete, people will always remember the milestone moment and intertwine this with the experience they had with you and how you made them feel. So, it is important to focus on this just as much as the result. Ultimately, your success in real estate relies on your ability to build lifelong relationships with people, as property is a powerful tool that can change people’s lives. If they feel empowered and supported by you to continue buying and selling, renting, or investing, opportunities will continue to present themselves to you throughout your career.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT ABOUT YOURSELF DURING YOUR CAREER?

I have learnt that I am very driven and have a relentless work ethic, thriving best in a fast-paced environment when there is a set goal ahead of me. Pursuing and ultimately achieving these goals, especially when it is for a client, is very rewarding, allowing me to maintain a consistent level of motivation and focus. However, I have also learnt how much I value a healthy balance in being able to switch off, unwind, and recharge, as it is impossible to run at peak performance without taking time for yourself. Learning I needed to step back and reset if I wanted to keep pushing forward was a game-changer for me.

HOW HAVE WOMEN’S ROLES IN REAL ESTATE CHANGED SINCE YOU FIRST STARTED?

I had the privilege of beginning my career at a company helmed by an exceptional team of female leaders. It is exceedingly rare, even in today’s age, to witness a corporate team solely (or mostly) led by women, making this experience all the more significant. Over my time there, I witnessed this incredible team of powerhouse women revolutionize both the company and the industry with amazing initiatives that filtered down into our day-to-day actions, mentorship, training, and more. Instead of navigating the typical ‘boys club’ culture prevalent in many industries, I found myself in an empowering environment brimming with inspirational women to look up to, which left me feeling immensely proud of the brand I was part of. With an increasing number of accomplished female agents, influential female leaders, and organizations like Real Women in Real Estate making their mark in the industry, I believe the industry is moving in an exceptionally positive direction.

IT’S BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR, ARE THERE ANY REAL ESTATE TIPS YOU COULD SHARE?

Build a team you can trust. The real estate market can be incredibly volatile, and learning to lean on a team of trusted advisers who have their finger on the pulse and feet on the ground will place you in the best position, whether you are an owner-occupier, buyer, investor, or tenant. While the media says one thing, reality says another, so it’s important to reach out to your connections for accurate advice whenever you are thinking of making a move with property.

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?

The best thing I learnt early on in my career was the power of silence. We are dealing with someone’s biggest asset, so naturally emotions tend to run high. In moments where someone is worked up, rather than responding and accidentally escalating the situation, allow them to speak and fully express their concerns. Eventually, they will reach a point where they have let it all out, and you can respond at a calmer conversation point, regaining control over the situation at hand. Initially, this was taught to me in the context of tough conversations (rental arrears/bond disputes etc.), however, I have implemented it many times and found people love to fill silence with words – and it opens doors you may never have thought would open otherwise.

ANY REGRETS REGARDING YOUR CAREER?

Not at all. I wouldn’t be where I am today without having taken each step along the way.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER WOMEN WANTING TO START A CAREER IN REAL ESTATE?

Go for it. Dive into the deep end and don’t be afraid to give anything a go. There are so many different areas and roles in real estate, so try to get involved in and learn as much as you can. This will help you figure out what you love, define your career goals, and allow you to map out a pathway to get there. And once you have that pathway figured out, don’t let anything or anyone stop you. Every opportunity is yours for the taking.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FASHION & BEAUTY TIPS THAT YOU’VE LEARNT WHILE ON THE JOB?

A capsule wardrobe will be your best friend, and if you need a hint on where to start – Zara has the best pants you will ever find.

Connect

0428 102 215 | jacinta.cally@belleproperty.com

Website: www.belleproperty.com/lane-cove/jacinta-cally

Instagram: @jacintacally_belleproperty

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jacintacally