HIGHLIGHTS & LEARNINGS

As we farewell another year, the Danckert Real Estate team takes time out to reflect on the highlights and learnings from 2024.

SAM DANCKERT

What has been the most significant learning in 2024?

Be patient. As a salesperson this isn’t a natural mindset, but some of our most rewarding sales from 2024 have occurred from being patient and understanding the buyer and sellers’ circumstances. We have had numerous negotiations that have failed to reach agreement on the first round but have managed to achieve great results on the second, third and even fourth round discussions.

What have been your most memorable achievements?

Opening our new office space. The opportunity to expand our business premises presented itself, and we had a very brief and informal discussion amongst the team before committing to the move. Already the increased local presence has attracted more customers to our agency, and we are now better positioned to grow and continue to provide exceptional service to customers seeking our personalised approach.

What has surprised you most about this year?

The significant impact of increased land tax rates across the Mornington Peninsula. The move to try and increase state revenue office collections via punitive tax rates has proven to slow the market here and consequently drastically reduce the number of transactions (in Mt Martha sales above $3m have dropped by 45% compared with the levels of 2020-2023).

What was your favourite movie, book, podcast, TV series?

I’ve enjoyed reading Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willinik as it reinforced the importance of being complete accountable for your results in life, taking in feedback and leading by example. Factfulness by Hans Rosling (I highly recommend completing the questionnaire to test how aligned your views are with facts at https://factfulnessquiz.com/). The book highlights how conditioned we have become by the news and a constant stream of negativity to adopt a malevolent view of the world.

Any new hobbies undertaken or moves made?

I’ve enjoyed spending more time gardening this year. It’s probably a sign of my age turning 40 years old, but I’m finding joy in the simple pleasures in life.

What have been the key developments at DRE?

It’s been a great source of pride to see our team grow with Jasmin Scott joining our company. She is such a professional agent and has achieved some exceptional results this year. I’ve also been pleased and relieved that our team has remained intact despite the very challenging market conditions. This market is sorting out the amateurs from the professionals and our team members have proven their relevance in the local market by rising to the challenging and surviving in challenging conditions.

What do you love most about the new office?

It’s a very calm and welcoming space. Already we have received such positive feedback from buyers and sellers that have visited the new office to discuss their real estate plans about how great the space is. We look forward to welcoming more valued clients to visit us in the new year.

ALEX CORRADI

What has been the most significant learning in 2024?

The most significant learning experience for me this year is that we all face ups and downs through life, both personally and professionally, but if we remain patient, do the right thing and continue to persist, getting through the tough times makes the good times even more enjoyable.

What have been your most memorable achievements?

My most memorable achievement this year is opening our new office space and expanding our team. I’m so grateful to work with a team of like-minded people who share the same passion for excellence and success that Sam and I do. Surrounding ourselves with good people is a crucial element to the business running as smoothly as it does, knowing that we can all rely on each other when necessary.

What has surprised you most about this year?

What surprised me towards the end of this year is the increase in holiday home buyers returning to the market. After a relatively quiet and subdued 18 months regarding the upper end of the market and a decrease in luxury home buyers, the tide appears to be changing, with astute buyers now seeing good value in the market again for quality homes.

What was your favourite movie, book, podcast, TV series?

My favourite TV Series this year was ‘Owning Manhattan’ which featured on Netflix. It was an insight into the life of the fast-paced New York City real estate market.

Any new hobbies undertaken or moves made?

A new hobby I took up this year is boxing. I don’t plan on getting in the ring, as it’s probably not the best look to show up for meetings looking a little worse for wear in front of clients. Still, I have really enjoyed the fitness and coordination side of it and that it allows me to switch off during training and focus entirely on perfecting my technique.

What have been the key developments at DRE?

One of the things that I’m incredibly grateful for is Sam Danckert’s drive to always be at the forefront of technology in our business and keep right up to date with the best tools for us to continue to be the market leaders in marketing our properties and providing excellent customer service. Sam and I share the same business philosophy of ‘Kaizen’, which means we strive for continuous improvement involving employees at all company levels.

What do you love most about the new office?

Sam and Hayley MacCallum have to take most of the credit for creating the beautiful new office space we have, which offers a classy, timeless and relaxing space to welcome our clients and a delightful space for us to all work in.

JASMIN SCOTT

Most Significant Learning

2024 has been a year of extraordinary lessons. The market has been unlike anything I’ve experienced since starting my career, teaching me the importance of adaptability, resilience, and staying one step ahead. It’s been a humbling reminder that no matter how much experience we have, there’s always more to learn.

Memorable Achievements

This year has brought a mix of personal and professional achievements that I’m incredibly proud of. Professionally, being surrounded by like-minded individuals has fuelled growth in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Personally, completing the Coast Trek Walk was a major highlight—a reminder of the power of perseverance and connection to the natural world.

Biggest Surprise

I’ve been most surprised by the sheer grit and determination it takes to stay the course in a challenging market. It’s been a year of pushing boundaries and finding ways to thrive even when the market has had other ideas.

Favourite Inspiration

A standout this year has been the 31 Minutes podcast by Mat Steinwede, now known as “31 Minutes” or now known as “chasing optimum”. It’s been an incredible source of motivation and practical insight, helping me stay focused and goal-oriented.

New Hobbies or Moves?

While no new hobbies or moves were taken up this year, I’m excited about what 2025 holds. Expanding the team and taking on new opportunities will be a big focus in the year ahead.

Key Developments at DRE

One of the most exciting milestones at DRE in 2024 has been the opening of our new office and doubling our floor space. This expansion represents growth, resilience, and our shared vision for a successful future.

Here’s to building on the lessons, surprises, and successes of 2024 as we step into an even brighter 2025!

KATE McNEILL

What has been the most significant learning in 2024?

Whether in the workplace or in personal development, the ability to maintain flexibility in the face of challenges has proven to be essential for achieving success and well-being.

What have been your most memorable achievements?
This year, two significant milestones stand out: getting married earlier in the year and celebrating my seventh anniversary at Danckert. Both have been meaningful accomplishments.

What has surprised you most about this year?
The market conditions have been more challenging than expected. However, what has truly stood out to me is the remarkable resilience and perseverance displayed by my colleagues during this time. Their ability to adapt and stay focused has been inspiring.

What was your favourite movie, book, podcast, or TV series?
I recently saw Wicked, and it was very enjoyable, visually stunning and emotionally moving.

Any new hobbies undertaken or moves made?
While fitness has always been a part of my routine, this year I took on a new challenge by signing up for Hyrox, a race primarily focused on running. Having never been a runner before, it's been challenging to embrace this new hobby, and I'm looking forward to further improving my running performance.

What have been the key developments at DRE?
One of the key developments this year was the opening of our new office, which has been a great step forward. Additionally, onboarding new agent Jasmin Scott has been a highlight. She’s been a fantastic addition to the team, and it’s been a pleasure working with her.

What do you love most about the new office?
I really appreciate the new office space. I feel fortunate to sit at the front, where the lighting is excellent, and the atmosphere is calm and inviting. One of my favourite features is the Ralph Lauren floral wallpaper.

IAN ROSS

What has been the most significant learning in 2024?

A change in the way I have approached both listing properties and negotiations with potential buyers not only influenced by the usual seasonal activity but clearly the cost-of-living factor and how it has affected both vendor realisations and buyer activity.

What have been your most memorable achievements?

Approaching such a hard market on a daily basis in a positive light, and offering fair and sound advice to all clients based on current results and statistics rather than telling them what they want to hear which doesn’t help anyone in this market. The new office space is also a great achievement for our team leading into 2025 in such a positive atmosphere.

What has surprised you most about this year?

How things can quickly change in the market space. The current trend I have observed of late is the return of Melbourne holiday home buyers clearly seeing some value in the market today to expand their property portfolios on the Peninsula.

What was your favourite movie, book, podcast, TV series?

My wife and I have started watching Suits again. We also enjoy watching travel vlogs on YouTube and although I have never gone camping, I plan to watch camping vlogs!

Any new hobbies undertaken or moves made?

I’ve enjoyed playing indoor soccer locally for the last 10 years (give or take due to injuries!). I find it a good way to switch off and really let off steam! I’ve vowed to enjoy boating a bit more this year due to a lack of use on previous years and maybe a spot of fishing with the kids.

What have been the key developments at DRE?

Expanding our sales team with Jasmin joining our team earlier this year was a great addition along with the new office space, which is a much nicer environment for our clients visiting the office.

What do you love most about the new office?

It doesn’t feel like the usual real estate style office. It’s classy and very inviting and I feel as much as the agent plays a vital part in representing a property, the office space and location does play a part also.

AMBER SEALEY

What has been the most significant learning in 2024?

To prioritise your health and wellbeing because with out that you don’t have anything.

What have been your most memorable achievements?

My most memorable achievements would be our family holiday to Canada/USA, and also setting the suburb record for a Mount Martha sale.

What has surprised you most about this year?

That the market has remained quite volatile. I’m hoping to see a reduction in rates in 2025 and some strong buyer sentiment in the marketplace at some stage in the new year.

What was your favourite movie, book, podcast, TV series?

A series on Apple TV called “Presumed Innocent” featuring Jake Gyllenhaal.

Any new hobbies undertaken or moves made?

I haven’t developed any new hobbies this year. I do weights most weeks, mixed with walking in nature listening to a book or podcast.

What have been the key developments at DRE?

Bringing another female sales agent into the team has been a great addition to the team.

What do you love most about the new office?

Having a street presence will be very valuable to DRE’s success in the coming years. It’s a beautifully crafted space that is very inviting.

Wishing all our Vendors, Buyers, supply partners, colleagues, families and friends a safe and enjoyable festive season, and a prosperous, healthy and rewarding 2025.

The Danckert Real Estate Team.