FIVE years ago Craig Huckel made a life-changing decision to become a real estate agent after 17 years as a paramedic.
At the annual Blue-Print conference, Mr Huckel, beat out entries from across Australia including three finalists to take out the Changed Agents Award title as voted by his peers.
After just 18 months as a successful agent at Ray White Albury, Mr Huckel took on the role as principal of what was then called Landmark Harcourts Wodonga in 2013.
Mr Huckel rebranded the business to Harcourts Albury Wodonga after meeting with Landmark Harcourts in an effort to signal to the market the brand’s residential focus.
Together with his team, Mr Huckel has turned the business from five listings a month to reaching 20 listings in June, 25 in July and this month the team is striving to sign on 30 new properties.
Success hasn’t come without its hardships. In October last year Mr Huckel and his family resorted scraping together any cash and credit cards to prop the business up one final time and the doors to the agency very nearly closed.
“Financially, emotionally and physically. Everything I had and more was invested in the business,” he said.
There have been a lot of tears. You’re responsible for your employee’s livelihoods and while you don’t want to have to go through hardships, you definitely don’t want them to either.
“We now have very clear targets and belief that we can do it. We’ve come far but we still have work to do.”
They recently purchased Stockdale & Leggo Wodonga, which saw the number of staff jump from seven to 19, the number of listings increased from 20 to 70 and the rent roll surge from 90 properties to 700.
Mr Huckel said he was humbled to win such an award and when he gets back to Albury-Wodonga will get straight back to work and spend time with his wife and five children.
“You can lose perspective. There are a lot of worse of people and everyone has a story,” he said.
“I don’t get carried away with wanting to dominate a market, I just want to provide people with the best possible service. Doing the right thing for people is what it’s all about.”
First launched in 2013, the Changed Agents Awards has been an amazing program launched by Josh Phegan and recognises agents who have gone from “zero to hero” in less than a year.
He said the four finalists in the award had 15 minutes to present their success stories before their peers judged the winner.
Josh started his real estate career as an agent in Albury-Wodonga and has since gone on to become a leading international real estate trainer, preferred by Australia’s top 100 agents according to REB online.
The quality of entrants was again outstanding this year and that it was pleasing to see a winner come from his hometown.
As the award winner Mr Huckel received $5000 cash, a one-day training session with Josh Phegan and $5000 subscription to leading real estate technology provider AgentBox.
Mr Huckel said he is looking forward to having Josh Phegan in his office.
“The real prize is getting Josh in my office with my team. I know how much he gets me going and I can’t wait to have him with me in my office showing people what they can achieve,” he said.
“I can’t describe how much one person has changed things for me. When I talk to Josh he makes me accountable for my actions.”