Marsha Cooper, Harcourts Oyster

Marsha has 30 years of Real Estate experience, covering all disciplines of the industry in her career - from Home Loans at Standard Bank, Bond Origination (PABetterbond), eLAN (Developers) to owning her own Harcourts Franchises.

In 2011 she moved to the Eastern Cape and embarked on a new career as a business owner and opened her own Harcourts Franchises in Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage/Despatch and later St Francis Bay, Cape St Francis, Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp and Sedgefield.

Q & A with Marsha

IW: What would you do during a typical day?  

MARSHA: My day kicks off with a cup of coffee and catching up on the latest news. I'm a bit of a coffee “snob”, so I'm all about taking time to create the perfect cuppa.

Staying in the loop is essential, so I like to read the news and keep up with what's happening in our country and worldwide. It's like a daily dose of knowledge that keeps me feeling connected.

What's cool about my routine is that no two days are ever the same. I switch things up by heading to a different office daily. As a business owner with 4 offices, I start every day with a sales meeting with the agents at a specific office, then the juggling starts between assisting sales agents, spending time with admin staff and working through my own ‘to-do list’ and attending to the never-ending emails. It keeps me on my toes!

At the start of each day, I have everything neatly planned, but many unexpected turns creep up as the day goes on. This is all part of the adventure, so no matter what, we always end the day in style.

IW: How did you get into this industry?  

MARSHA: My career spans over 35 incredible years. Throughout this journey, I have enjoyed the opportunity to excel in a multitude of roles and disciplines within the industry.

After 20 years in the Banking industry, as National Manager of Home Loans at Standard Bank, where I gained a deep understanding of the industry's financial side. From there, I transitioned into the role of Director of Sales at Betterbond, a powerhouse in the Bond Origination field. It was there that I honed my skills in sales and developed a passion for helping clients find their dream homes. My journey didn't stop there. I embarked on a new adventure as a Sales Director at a large residential developer firm, the experience was incredibly rewarding, and it fuelled my entrepreneurial spirit.

In 2011, I took a leap of faith by marrying my second husband, moved away from the cities and corporate life and embraced a more laid-back lifestyle in the surfers' village of St Francis Bay. I intended to take it easy, but my husband, the owner of a Harcourts Franchise, gradually got me involved in the day-to-day running of the business. However, life sometimes presents us with unforeseen challenges. In 2016, my husband sadly passed away, and I found myself taking over as the business owner.  

Looking back, I am grateful for the diverse experiences and valuable knowledge I've gained throughout my career to end up in my happy place I call home now.  

IW: What do you enjoy most about your job?

MARSHA:  My team is full of fun, understands hard work and loves their quality of life – this has made all the difference in my life. Real estate is a dynamic field where new challenges and exciting opportunities occur daily.

My team across all the offices supports and uplifts one another creating a positive work environment. We celebrate each other's successes and lend a helping hand when faced with challenges. The camaraderie we share makes the workday more enjoyable and fosters personal and professional growth.

In real estate, no two days are ever the same. Each day brings its unique set of hurdles to overcome, with very ‘high’ highs and ‘low’ lows – there is never a middle mediocre day. Whether negotiating a complex deal, connecting with clients, or staying on top of market trends, there's always something new to learn, sort out and new challenge to face. This keeps me on my toes and fuels my passion for the industry.

IW: What is the most challenging part of your job?  

MARSHA:   Working alongside a diverse group of staff, being multi-national and multi-language with sales-, rental agents and administrative staff, my team presents a day-to-day challenge. It is important to understand the differences in race, language barriers, and personality types, from the expressive, explosive, outgoing sales agent to the quiet, introverted admin. Each person brings their unique traits and communication style to the table, and this diversity, while beneficial, can sometimes lead to conflicts and misunderstandings.

As such, it has been crucial to develop an active and open communication ethos in the office and to listen, “taking the emotion out of it and concentrating on the fact” approach. This involved altering my listening and communication styles, becoming more tolerant and flexible, and understanding each unique personality.  

IW: What advice would you give others that are looking to move into this industry?

MARSHA:  If you're considering a career in real estate, do your homework. It is an amazing career, but not your typical “9-5 job” nor a half-day commitment. It demands hard work and dedication, operating on a near 24/7 schedule. As an agent, you are at your busiest when the family and friends are at home, socialising and resting, this is evenings, weekends and peak holiday season in our coastal towns.

You must possess an innate drive and diligence as this field is highly regulated, and the complexities of the real estate landscape mean there's no room for shortcuts. So be prepared for an environment that challenges and rewards you, but you need resilience, and perseverance to leave no stone unturned to close a deal. It requires staying ahead of the curve, embracing change and continually expanding our knowledge base. The fast-paced nature of the field demands that we remain agile and open to new ideas and respect our admin which is our safety net.

The combination of a great team and the dynamic nature of real estate keeps me motivated and inspired.