Century 21 New Zealand
Monday, 2 October 2017
The world’s youngest real estate owner in Takapuna?
Liam Collett recently spent his 21st birthday working in his new real estate franchise on Barrys Point Road, Takapuna.
On 1 August when he opened the doors to Century 21 More Property Realty, the businessman was just 20 and remains
arguably the youngest solo franchise owner to do such a thing worldwide.
Liam was born and bred on the North Shore. He grew up in real estate with both his parents leading real estate agents on
the Shore for some years. His two grandfathers were also in the property industry, as was one of his great-grandfathers.
“I’m the fourth generation, with real estate a big part of my childhood. We’d deliver countless flyers and sit in the
car waiting for listing appointments or open homes to finish. While Sunday was known as auction day. I also remember mum
and dad constantly on the phone. Being around it, it’s amazing how much you pick up,” he says.
The youngest of three boys, Liam has been the only one to take up the family real estate baton and his potential was
seen early.
At 17 years of age he started out as a PA in the property division of his father’s Glenfield-based real estate business,
but within two months he was promoted to Business Development Manager. It was a role he held for three years and during
that time he achieved solid growth in the property management side of the business.
“I always wanted to set up my own franchise from scratch as my parents had and thought it’s now or never. Three years
earlier I wrote a business plan, which had been sitting in the drawer, so it was a case of dusting it off and bringing
my dream to life.”
On deciding real estate companies, Liam and a couple of his business mentors met with visiting Australasian Century 21
owner Charles Tarbey who took them through a business presentation on his company and its vision. Liam was sold and he
immediately went about setting up a new Century 21 franchise with the North Shore his territory.
“Century 21 has true global strength and its systems are amazing. For example, vendors can track progress of their
property transaction, sales or property management via our online portals making the entire process very transparent.
It’s great and exactly what the real estate industry needs.
“Century 21 is the biggest agency in the world, and in this country, it is now going through an exciting brand
revitalisation and expansion phase. I love that challenge particularly given the company’s drive to shoot to the top of
New Zealand’s corporate brands.”
Liam says his Takapuna business is office number 7,786 for Century 21 globally but admits his greatest claim to fame is
his achievements at such an early age.
“Across Century 21 internationally, we don’t think there is anyone who owns and runs a franchise by themselves who is
younger,” says Geoff Barnett. National Manager of Century 21 New Zealand.
While traditionally middle-aged people may have treated it as an end of career role, Liam believes real estate is
changing fast with more and more young people viewing it as a career-long profession.
“Once upon a time Joe Bloggs could sell a house, but now it’s a lot more complex given all the rules and regulations and
the delicacies around successfully selling real estate. At the same time, there are more opportunities for reward, with
agents now in greater control of their own standalone businesses within an agency.”
Liam wants to be at the forefront of a generational change in real estate that primarily pushes a focus on extraordinary
service and value for money.
“Service needs to be the absolute focus. I think our industry can do so much better and frankly needs to. People’s
houses are their most valuable asset and we are entrusted to do the best possible job with that asset. Currently any
service gets mostly directed to the vendor while the needs of buyers often get overlooked. That needs to change.”
From his Takapuna office, Liam is focused on creating a dynamic team to drive his new venture forward with a mixture of
experienced and new team members which takes advantage of the Century 21 Cadet Program.
He believes his team will help drive a positive change to the industry catering for a wide range of the community with
over five languages spoken in the office. When recruiting, he highly values trust, integrity and the importance of
salespeople keeping their word. He says for success to prevail, positivity must also.
“I’ve got an affirmation that pops up on my phone and I repeat to myself multiple times a day - that all things lead to
my success, wealth and happiness. Those who say it’s harder for young people these days, I say ‘the only thing stopping
you is yourself. Remove the self-doubt and you are limitless!”
“As for any feelings of possibly failing, you need these feelings in order to evaluate all of your weak points so you
can minimise the chance of it happening. But in saying that failure’s never on my radar.”
Liam says his parents have shown him that while hard work will set you up for success, ultimately, it’s giving people a
great experience that will set you apart from the rest.
National Manager, Geoff Barnett, says the company is delighted to have Liam Collett on board and says his decision to
open Century 21 More Property Realty in Takapuna reflects Century 21’s growing business and brand in New Zealand.
Ends