Creating real estate history

Tahlia Gabrielli the first SA female agent to earn Chairman’s Elite status

Ray White Mt Gambier principal Tahlia Gabrielli has made history being recognised as a Chairman’s Elite performer, ranking her among the top one per cent of Ray White agents internationally. She is the first female agent in Ray White’s South Australian network to achieve the milestone.

The incredible honour comes on the eve of the Mount Gambier agent celebrating five years in business and 10 years in the industry.

While capital city based Ray White agents are selling multimillion dollar properties, Tahlia achieved the historic feat by sheer volume – more than 120 sales in the past 12 months.

It is just reward for the beauty therapist turned real estate rising star – who entered the industry 10 years ago, learned every aspect of the business and then took a leap of faith and took on her own Ray White franchise. “I think I always had an interest in real estate – I’m Italian, we love our bricks and mortar, – it was something instilled in me” Tahlia said. “What I loved about being a beauty therapist was dealing with people and that is exactly what the real estate industry is. It is all about people. Houses are the by-product – it’s the people you deal with – it’s about relationships.”

By her own admission, Tahlia is not a 9-5 operator so the dynamic nature of real estate was a perfect fit.

“Every day is different,” she said. “If you like structure it is not the industry for you.”

While Tahlia securing the title of Chairman’s Elite performer has seen her go where no female agent has gone before in South Australia – it is the fact real estate is an industry that doesn’t have gender disparity.

“I love that there actually is no glass ceiling – the world’s your oyster,” she said. “You get reward for effort – it is performance based.”

Tahlia started as a personal assistant to a principal and then moved into property management and then sales.

“I learned every element of the business and how it all comes together for the finished product,” she said. “And I still continue to take the opportunities that present for professional development – spending money on training is an investment.”

For Tahlia, nothing beats the high of matching a buyer with a home or finding the perfect buyer for her vendors.

“I am a problem solver – I love matchmaking,” she said. “I love the negotiating and I love it when you can put that deal together for someone – it is an adrenalin rush.” And so often, it is about playing the long game, being prepared to put in the hard work to achieve that ultimate result.

“You have to do the hard yards and you have to do the work – the results will follow,” Tahlia said. “I think with real estate you need to play the long game, don’t look for over overnight success. Dream big because anything is possible.”

When Tahlia opened the doors of her own agency five years ago, she started with three staff. She had no rental portfolio and it was purely Tahlia selling. She now has 16 staff, a growing property management arm, more selling agents and social media and marketing specialists.

What she has tried to do over the course of the past five years is lead by example.

“If you don’t do things yourself and create good habits, you can’t expect that from your staff,” Tahlia said. “As my business grows I am starting to get enjoyment from others growing and developing. I want to build an environment where people want to aspire to being the best they can be.” And part of being the best means working weekends and unpredictable hours.

“Working in real estate is a lifestyle,” Tahlia said. “You need an energy and a passion and every client I work for gets 100 per cent and I like to think that’s why they choose me. You are selling the most important asset, the most expensive thing they own. You have to make sure they’re getting looked after.”

While Tahlia predicts the next quarter could prove interesting, she said the current climate in the industry locally was good.

“Interest rates are impacting some people – I think it has reduced their buying capacity,” she said. “But anything under the $450,000 is walking out the door – it is a very achievable price point for investors and first home buyers. We still have quite low stock levels and a lot of people looking.” Ray White SA | NT CEO Matt Lindblom congratulated Tahlia on her achievement.

“Tahlia is an exceptional individual who leads a great team and continues to set the bar higher every year,” he said “Tahlia’s work ethic, the connection she has with her local community and her focus on customer service, are just a few of the reasons she has been awarded Chairman’s Elite status.

“Tahlia is so well respected in the Ray White Group, she thoroughly deserves this recognition and I am so proud to see her be the very first female agent in SA and NT to receive Chairman’s Elite status.” Ray White Head of Performance and Recognition Bianca Denham said Tahlia’s achievement is well deserved “Tahlia is great to work with because she understands the fundamentals of what makes a great sales business, takes responsibility for achieving her goals, works hard and inspires those who work with her,” she said.

“She has become a leader not only in her own business, but recognised within the whole South Australian network and is a role model for other women in our industry.

“We are so proud of what Tahlia has achieved and we are grateful for the example she sets for other members in our network.”

Ray White Mt Gambier was also the Community Service Award winner for its work in the local community, including the annual Pooch Party and the free investment seminar the agency hosted earlier this year. They were also ranked third in Property Management Performance.