Ann O'Gorman, Harcourts Rhino
Ann O’Gorman, holding a prominent position as a senior Property Consultant at Harcourts Rhino, has established herself as an expert in her field. Her focus since 1995 has revolved around specialized full-title residential sales in Kenmare, Silverfields, and Rangeview. This has equipped her with extensive insights into her local property market and a comprehensive grasp of the broader real estate landscape.
Transitioning from a flourishing career in the recruitment industry, Ann embraced real estate as her new path, and there's been no looking back. Accumulating more than 26 years in the real estate industry, coupled with the attainment of an IMM Marketing diploma, she possesses the indispensable personal and interpersonal skills necessary to adeptly manage the entire process, ensuring a delightful experience when parting with your most cherished possession – your home.
Q & A with Ann
IW: What would you do during a typical day?
ANN: My day starts at 4.15 AM when I wake to go off to a 5:00 AM gym class. I like to start my day off right and get the oxygen flowing through the brain, to be wide awake for whatever the day may bring.
On my return home whilst having breakfast I’ll plan my day in my diary, if I haven’t done so the night before. I’ll order the groceries online to be delivered (no time for shopping), answer any emails that may have come in during the evening and update my PA’s To Do List and mail it through to her. That way I know I can then focus on Office meetings/training sessions, feedback sessions with my Buyers’ agents and follow up on any emails and attend to phone calls to attorneys and Sellers and do any problem-solving. When I am not scheduled to pick up my 15-month-old Granddaughter from the creche in the afternoons, my afternoons are set aside for Face to Face meetings with clients, i.e. Appraisals, Price Counselling, Prospecting, Listing Presentations, Presenting Offers, etc. When I am picking up my Granddaughter all that is crammed into early evening after I have left her. She is my priority, those few hours with her rejuvenates my soul, we play, we laugh, and I de-stress, before heading back to the madness.
I like to be home no later than 7:00 PM these days to spend precious time with my Life Partner, Louis, as he needs me too. Fortunately, he is also my principal, so he understands the long hours to a better degree than most husbands. We tend to forget they need us too when we become so absorbed in our careers and involved with our clients’ lives. The days are gone when I am still running around at 9:00 PM at night with Buyers, I leave that for the younger members of the team!
IW: How did you get into this industry?
ANN: By default, actually. Our property was on the market on a Multi Listing system and we were experiencing the worse service ever. Because I was continually complaining to my husband at that time, he said “if I thought I could do better why didn’t I”. So I took the plunge. I closed my successful Personnel Recruitment business of 8 years and went off to look for a Real Estate brand that had the same values as I, found Harcourts Homenet back then in 1995 and have continued to make a difference ever since.
IW: What do you enjoy most about your job?
ANN: Having the knowledge and expertise to Manage the Buying and Selling Process well enough for my clients relieving them of the stress, protecting them against the pitfalls, and knowing how to resolve problems with challenging deals. Most of my clients are elderly and they need that protection, especially against unscrupulous agents. I have had 2 life-threatening illnesses in the last 10 years. I believe God saved me to continue the good I do to look after those that are easily taken advantage of.
IW: What is the most challenging part of your job?
ANN: Sellers are being brainwashed by agents that overprice properties or cut commissions to obtain the mandate. Then when the Seller has been unsuccessful or conned into some rotten deal, they return to us needing help to sort out the mess.
IW: What advice would you give others that are looking to move into this industry?
ANN: Real Estate is about people, not houses. Live the Values. Do the Right Thing, Put the People First. Look after your Clients they will become your best ambassadors. Prospecting is easy if you have a good reputation. You only get out of Real Estate what you are prepared to put in, make the effort and have the right positive attitude. It’s hard work but incredibly rewarding.