Real Estate - the people behind the names

Real estate, it’s value to our economy and the people who are behind the names.

We tend to impersonalise real estate people and the brand names. We see them being behind our need for property or sales or finding a home, but not as people taking risks and finding a way to minimise the risk for their clients when moving our most valuable assets around. In this issue, we have set out two interviews with Rael estate leaders, Shaun Paterson of Bayleys and Dayle Candy of Harcourts. Next issue, we will feature Johnathon Hunt of North Real Estate as well as Rob Ball of Rob Ball Real Estate. The following week, it will be Richardsons and Ray White. All of these businesses have supported The informer as a community newspaper serving the wider area. All of these agencies have been involved in local charity work. Every resident in the Coromandel area has relied at some point on the work and services of one of these Real Estate businesses. We are grateful for their presence and work.

Pauline Stewart - Editor

Shaun Paterson is a Director and joint owner of Bayleys Coromandel. He works closely with Director, Chris Bayley and business partner, Karl Davis to grow the Bayleys franchise in the Coromandel. The Informer deals directly with Shaun and so we asked if he would provide us with an interview.

What are your beginnings - where? and doing what? Your family life as a child?

I was a Whitianga teenager. My family moved to Whitianga permanently when I was fifteen. I attended the Whitianga Area School. My teenage years were spent enjoying the Bay and all it had to offer. Before this, with my siblings,( I am the youngest of four), I grew up on farms in Whanganui. During this time we had many family holidays in Hahei. These holidays and living in the Bay gave me a passion for the outdoors, fishing, hunting and sport.

What did you do before real estate?

Through my teens I worked in hospitality, working summer jobs in most restaurants along The Esplanade. In my adult life I have always had a connection to real estate. Once school was finished I completed a Bachelor of Property at The University of Auckland. After graduating from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Property, I joined Bayleys Auckland in 2004 where I spent 5 years as a Commercial and Industrial broker working on a broad variety of sales and leasing projects across multiple sectors. Since then my involvement with real estate has never looked back. I spent five years as a commercial and industrial broker with Bayleys in Auckland before heading overseas. I lived and worked at various jobs in five countries before permanently relocating to the UK in 2010. In London I spent 11 years working in Corporate Real Estate, advising London office occupiers. I ran a large team and finished my time as an Equity Partner with Cushman & Wakefield, one of the worlds largest real estate advisory firms. However, the truth is there is no place like Whitianga. It’s familiar, it stirs many memories and there is a sense of belonging and loyalty to this area. In 2021, we returned to the Bay.

Can you share a little about your family and off-work interests?

My wife Laura, is British and is loving the lifestyle change which comes with moving to New Zealand and the Coromandel. Last year we had our first child, Amélie, who is great fun. Now at 14 months, she is keeping us on our toes! Recently, we made a 28 hour flight which was a questionable decision. I know now that was not the best idea with a lively toddler. As a family, we love the outdoors. You will generally find us on the beach or on the water.

What led you into real estate?

There was a combination of things!

Firstly, I always had a passion for buildings and architecture. However, my dreams of being an architect were curbed pretty early. I had difficulty drawing which seemed to be essential to that profession. I took up studying property which seemed like the next best thing. Secondly, my father Garry worked in real estate in Whitianga for many years. In fact he was one of the original Bayleys Whitianga team. When I was growing up, I always had an interest in what he was doing. He is still in town and on most days we discuss Whitianga Real Estate. But now I am the full time professional and he is the interested listener. It’s the other way round from my teenage years.

Have there been doubts, challenges or roadblocks along the way?

Absolutely. Working in a sales in a transaction based environment always has challenges. I recall in my early 20’s as a young broker in Auckland working on commission. No sales meant no pay! I wondered constantly where the next deal was coming from and worried about how would I pay the rent for the first couple of years!

Property cycles also throw regular curveballs which have given me invaluable lessons. As an example, I have worked through tough markets during the likes of the Global Financial Crisis and Brexit. I have also advised office occupiers on ways of working through the pandemic. It has all been hugely challenging. However I see these as valuable experiences as we enter tougher phases of the economic cycle. I can use them to help our situation.

Is there a person from whom you have learned a lot about life and business?

I have been fortunate to have some amazing mentors throughout my life and my career. Ironically, one of my now business partners, Chris Bayley, was my first boss out of university and has always been a mentor. He definitely instilled many lessons in life and business, particularly a ‘work hard, play hard’ philosophy! Now he is across the office from me. I feel proud to be working with him.

What is a dream you have for this town or this area?

To strike a good balance in the exciting growth the town is seeing, whilst also protecting the natural beauty and special sense of community which is here. We are fortunate to have this combination and it must continue. I will do all I can and, on behalf of Bayleys, I know we will commit to enabling this quality of life to be ongoing for our younger generations and beyond. People need to feel they matter, their opinions count and that they are connected to their community. Everyone longs for a sustainable and safe society. It’s our responsibility to share in ensuring that it is.