5 minutes with Reuben Packer-Hill

Matt: Righto Reuben, these are quick fire questions and you just have to answer fast. Don’t overthink it. Okay, what was your first sale as an agent?

Reuben: 143 Mirbelia Street, Kenmore Hills. 

Matt: How did it go? 

Reuben: It was a successful 3-week auction campaign, sold under the hammer at $975,000 back in 2008. 

Matt: How old were you? 

Reuben: I was only 18 at the time, and was so impressed by the internal lift in the residence

Matt: You’ve spent a long time in real estate since that first sale at 18, what would you say has been your most memorable sale?

Reuben: Typically, we note our most memorable sales as those that have achieved high values. Whilst several suburb record achievements are certainly memorable, the most memorable sale for me was in Kenmore for the founding director of the Queensland Performing Arts Complex, Dr. Tony Gould AM and his wife. Such wonderful people, and a client that turned into a mentor for me.

Matt: Winding the clock forward to today, what is your most recent sale?

Reuben: That’s 217 Chapel Hill Road, Chapel Hill. A three week auction campaign, sold under the hammer for $1.45m for repeat clients of mine. They purchased the property a little over 18 months ago and completed a beautiful renovation.

Matt: Did you have plans for a career before you found real estate?

Reuben: I have actually only known real estate. I started a dual degree in business and law after I left school, however six months in I decided that real estate was for me.

Matt: If you weren’t a real estate agent, what would you be? 

Reuben: I love working with people and contemplated following my family’s line of medical practitioners. If I could devote the time to study, I would’ve aspired to become a doctor. Either that, or a pilot.

Matt: Three words that describe you…

Reuben: Determined. Outgoing. Family-orientated.

Matt: Three words that do not describe you…

Reuben: Late. Selfish. Lazy.

Matt: Something that might surprise readers to know about you…

Reuben: I have a strong interest in politics, and work towards the goal of representing our local community at some point in the future (at state or federal level).

Matt: Favourite street in Brisbane? 

Reuben: I love Laurel Avenue in Chelmer. 

Matt: Why?

Reuben: There is something about that beautiful tree-lined road with the character-filled Queenslanders.

Matt: What would you say is the property market with the greatest capacity for capital growth in the next ten years in the areas you cover?

Reuben: At the risk of sounding biased, I strongly believe one of the standout suburbs for upswing over coming years is the Toowong and surrounding marketplaces. The new ‘Aviary’ development will recalibrate the buying demographic in that precinct, satiating the appetite of downsizers and owner occupiers. This will have a flow on effect on the type of new development being completed in the local area, and the subsequent increase in median price.

I hope you enjoy the read.

Matt Lancashire