We're delighted to welcome Jacinta to our team - with over 20 years working in the real-estate industry in a range of roles both here and overseas, her depth of knowledge and wealth of experience makes her a great addition to the team.
How long have you been in the Real Estate Industry and what led you to your current role at Taskforce?
My real estate journey started in London in sales before I transitioned into property management. When I returned to Australia I worked as a Property Manager and then Software Trainer in RP Office, before moving on to Smarthouse where I worked for 9 years. All in all I have been in the real estate industry in one form or another for over 21 years.
What do you think is the most pressing issue that Property Managers face in their day to day role?
Obviously I'm not a PM any more, but as someone who has worked in that field in the past, and now still gets a glimpse of it through speaking to our clients I'd say that the most pressing issue is simply not having enough hours in the day. The role is demanding on its own and Property Managers wear many hats.
What do you see as the biggest challenge for Property Managers in the next 5 years?
I understand that compliance is a challenge for PMs - making sure their owners have all their i's dotted and t's crossed. I guess that's a part of my job I really enjoy - trying to make that part of their day easier if I can. For us to come in and take as much of that stress off their plate as we can is really satisfying.
What are the biggest changes you’ve noticed in the rental property industry since COVID?
To be honest I feel like during Covid there were many renters who could not afford to pay their rent, and PMs were faced with managing this. Now they are tackling compliance, and even though I had a break from the industry I can see that it is very much front of mind for many PMs in terms of how they can do this as efficiently as possible - both in terms of cost to owners and renters, and in terms of their own time.
What do you think the biggest change will be in Property Management in the next 5 years?
I've noticed an increase in the use of VAs to ease pressure on PM workloads in the office. I think that more will agencies will adopt these moving forward.
Is there something that sets Taskforce apart compared to your previous experience of other safety check and compliance services providers?
Having worked for another safety check provider for 9 years it's interesting to see how a younger company can see the holes and works to fill those gaps. It was something that drew me back to the industry and to work for Taskforce. We use technology to make the renters, RRP's and the property managers' access to our services easier and more efficient.
Tell us about something outside of work that is close to your heart? Maybe a charity or cause you support, a sport or hobby you love?
There are so many charities that are close to my heart. MND Victoria is definitely a special one having seen my mother fight the fight of it and how amazing MND Victoria was in supplying so many chairs and beds that assisted Mum to stay at home. Also any breast cancer charities having experienced that very close to home.
If you could give someone starting out in property management a single piece of advice what would it be?
To please not take anything to heart, and to make sure you work in a good team. Some of my dearest friends were and are still PMs, and it was always so good to debrief with others who understood the job.