Page 43 - Tropic Magazine Issue 19

TROPIC • PROFILE

long service leave, I thought about noticed more optimism in the local real estate market. But I do think we
other business and career options, property market following the Federal have a stronger market than we give
but starting a new agency in Cairns Election in May. “We are getting ourselves credit for as many markets
seemed to be the right road for us. I increased numbers through open have seen significant falls. We’ve
remember shaking the hand of my homes and sales numbers are slightly been much more resilient than some
soon-to-be landlord over a nine-year better,” he says. “I’m also hearing there regional markets.”
lease feeling very pensive as Cairns are some investors poking around
did not have a good vibe at that time.” which has been a rare occurrence
over the last few years. The banks are MORE: fncairnscentral.com or
FIRST NATIONAL DIFFERENCE responding to the Reserve Bank’s phone: (07) 4046 9300
Having been a First National agency lowering of the cash rate and this will
owner in the Northern Territory, David add to the overall optimism in our
and Carole were confident the brand market. I believe we’ll see an increase
would work in Cairns. “The reason to in the number of sales and possible
stick with First National was easy,” growth in the medians.”
he says. “I was already a proprietor Beyond the real estate market, David
of a First National agency in the says all ingredients are in place for the
Territory so I knew what they had to Cairns economy to lift over coming
offer but more importantly I knew months and years. “Outsiders would
the culture of First National. They wonder why we even ask the question
are not a franchise, it’s a cooperative. about whether the local economy is
There is no need for a centralised positive as we’ve had cranes in the sky
franchisor to return dividends to a around the CBD in recent times and
group of shareholders, so all our funds it looks like we are booming,” David
are spent looking after the network says. “Some indicators would say that
members. Also, the members get a say we are; employment numbers are at
in how things are run.” an all-time high, our unemployment
rate is down, bucking the Queensland
CAIRNS ECONOMY trend and job ads are climbing. But
The relevant data isn’t in yet, but David interestingly these positives have not
and his First National team have yet been fully transferred into the

43 • tropicnow.com.au