General News
23 February, 2023
Triple trophies for local real estate agent
Maryborough-Ballarat Real Estate agent Kate Ashton has claimed her third consecutive Agent of the Year Award. Ms Ashton’s winning streak started in 2021 when she first took out Agent of the Year Suburb Winner - Maryborough. The Agent of the Year...
Maryborough-Ballarat Real Estate agent Kate Ashton has claimed her third consecutive Agent of the Year Award.
Ms Ashton’s winning streak started in 2021 when she first took out Agent of the Year Suburb Winner - Maryborough.
The Agent of the Year Awards are run by RateMyAgent — which provides recommendations, ranking and reviews for Australian real estate agents — and have been celebrating agents and agencies in each suburb, city, and state, as well as on a national level for the past nine years.
The winners are determined based on customer reviews rather than a judging panel, and Ms Ashton said going the extra mile makes a difference, particularly in regional towns like Maryborough.
“The awards are based on customer reviews and number of sales — when you consider how many sales there are in the area, most clients are choosing me to sell and represent their properties which is an absolute honour,” she said.
“Because we live in a small community, going the extra mile is so important.
“A lot of my colleagues in city areas don’t know who people are when they walk down the street. I do, and that’s what I love.”
The key to her ongoing success with the awards, Ms Ashton said, is representing her clients with honesty, experience and giving back.
“The market has definitely changed as far as the interest rates which have been affecting prices and the amount of buyers,” she said.
“Life gets in the way for a lot of people, but as far as what’s changed with me is I just like to try and balance getting the best price for my vendors, giving back to the community and other charities I’m involved with, and really representing the clients to let them know that real estate is something you can always talk about.
“Looking at properties is a favourite pastime for many people but if anyone has questions, I think I’m the trusted advisor — whether it’s to do with rentals, investment or an estate, they know they can come and ask me without feeling as if they’re obligated.”
The award has been the icing on the cake this month as Ms Ashton celebrates two decades on the local real estate scene.
“I’m celebrating 20 years with Maryborough-Ballarat Real Estate at the end of this month,” she said.
“It’s pretty exciting and a nice reminder of why I do what I do, and why I love it.”
Ms Ashton is also currently preparing for her third cycling challenge in Thailand, where she and her partner Graeme Leech will tackle a 500 kilometre ride while aiming to raise $30,000 for charity organisation, Hands Across The Water, to deliver lifesaving necessities to under-privileged children.
To donate to the cause visit www.handsacrossthewater.org.au/fundraisers/KateAshton/digital-live-coastal-ride-2023