With a competitive housing market in Geelong, one of the most important considerations when deciding to list your property is who is going to sell it for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re selling the family home, your first apartment or an investment property, choosing the right real estate agent is key to getting the best result possible for your property. Specialising in real estate for sale, Kieron Hunter (a licensed Estate Agent & Auctioneer) is our number one choice when we’re thinking about real estate that rocks! We sit down with Kieron to discuss his journey from the local music scene to becoming the King of Highton.
We understand that you actually started in the music industry, DJ’ing around Geelong. Can you tell us a bit about the journey and how you first got into it?
Yes, it was my first paid job actually. I was the resident DJ at the National Hotel back in the day, it was one of the only places that played hip hop, soul, funk music at the time. I also opened for a lot to the big Aussie hip-hop names when there were events around other venues in Geelong.
What did you enjoy most about the local music scene at that time? Can you explain the transition from music to real estate? We understand the airline industry was also in the midst somewhere too, but what drew you to real estate?
I loved being able to drop some fresh tracks on the public. A lot of the best hip hop was unknown or new to people, at least out in the Geelong social scene so it was gratifying to be able to share that with people. I thought I was helping good artists get heard and share what I loved. I kept DJ’ing for years, and even took my decks to NZ where I lived for three years and worked at the airport. I had plenty of younger years where I enjoyed living the dream, but it was time I got serious about earning and paving my way. I always enjoyed closing a deal, helping people and generally conversing with different people so when I tried my hand at real estate I took to it like a duck to water. I love what I do now, no time to get the decks out, unfortunately, but I keep telling myself I will have a house party and break them out soon. I’ve been saying this for years now… it’s all work, work, work nowadays, but I love it.
While we wouldn’t imagine you’d ever have the time, in the perfect world, would you ever consider going back to the music?
Tell you what, if you can broker Travis Scott, Drake or Anderson .Paak to trade places….. I’ll think about it. I don’t think I’d trade what I do now for anything less.
You’ve made a successful career for yourself, becoming Geelong’s industry top performer, what are some of the driving factors that you can credit to your success?
Personally, when I started at 28 I had something to prove to myself and that drove to me excel. I had a kind of ‘now or never and if not now… when?’ attitude. It’s an industry you start from zero, but you are rewarded for the extra effort you put in, not like a 9 to 5. That excited me; the endless possibilities. Now I run a successful sales team that consistently breaks sales records and wins awards each year. Watching my team grow and having a hand in their success also keeps the wind in my sales nowadays.
You’ve kicked some serious goals in the real estate industry in Geelong. In your opinion, what about the region helps in attracting people to buy in the area?
Without sounding cliche, it’s such a great city. From the bay to the rolling hills, accessible to the coast and Melbourne, it’s location is superb. It’s a developing city that has a relaxed feel. For years, it’s been so affordable, undervalued some would say. The cat is out of the bag now and the real estate market is strong and very resilient down here. It’s also a great place to bring up your family.
What sets yourself, and Barry Plant, apart from the rest?
I care! And that’s not to say others don’t, but I generally enjoy playing such a large role in transaction.
Some of our readers are perhaps in the stage of wanting to downsize, and sell their homes – what advice do you have for them?
Call me, as simple conversation could put you on the right track easily. I am always happy to give free advice.
If you had to choose a song to represent you right now, what track would it be? Perhaps Salt ‘N’ Pepa – Whatta Man?
‘Work’ by Gang Starr – this is my anthem
You can find Kieron at Barry Plant at 65/71 Barrabool Rd, Highton. Check out the website barryplant.com.au/highton and follow Kieron on insta @kieronhunterbarryplant