Agent Spotlight: Tim Pittaway, Burgess Rawson

We chatted to commercial agent Tim Pittaway from Burgess Rawson about the diversity of working in commercial real estate, the joy of helping businesses and the exciting career opportunities.

How did you get started in the real estate industry, and has it always been your focus?

I’ve always had an interest in real estate from a young age. I studied a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Property Development and Valuation at Curtin University. After graduating, I started my career at Burgess Rawson, where I've been for for over seven years now. I began as a trainee in 2017 while completing my last semester at university and transitioned into full-time work immediately after.

How has the Perth commercial real estate market evolved, especially after COVID?

We are seeing the market showing positive signs of recovery, especially in areas like the West Perth office market where vacancy rates are starting to decline. Commercial rents are gradually increasing, and sectors like medical have remained strong. While retail has been hit hard by COVID lockdowns and working-from-home, we’re seeing some popular areas bounce back. There’s more confidence in the market now, and lease terms are starting to lengthen again after the uncertainty during the pandemic and people are starting to come back to the city to work (see REIWA’s recent commercial market update).

What do you enjoy most about working in commercial real estate?

One of the things I love about commercial real estate is the variety. I get to work with different types of assets like office spaces, retail and medical properties. The clients I deal with range from first-time investors to large institutional landlords. Each client has unique goals, which adds diversity and excitement to the work I do. Helping both small businesses and larger corporations is very rewarding.

What does a typical day look like for you?

No two days are the same. We really work around clients’ availability, so I am in and out of the office, mainly in the city and the city fringes like West Perth and Subiaco.

What do you find most satisfying about your role?

The satisfaction comes from helping people achieve their goals, whether it’s finding a tenant for someone’s only commercial property as part of their super fund or working with larger institutional clients on strategic property deals. It’s fulfilling to assist clients in maximising their property investments, knowing how important those returns can be for their financial future.

What sparked your initial interest in real estate, particularly in commercial property?

My interest originally started with residential properties. I enjoyed looking at houses, floor plans and browsing online listings during my teenage years. It wasn’t until university where I was exposed to commercial real estate that I shifted my focus to commercial property. I'm glad I made that choice because commercial real estate has turned out to be a great fit for me and love the work I do.

Do you have any long-term career goals in real estate?

I see myself continuing to grow in the commercial property industry. My focus is on building my personal brand and developing within Burgess Rawson. The company has a lot of growth, and I’m excited to be part of that journey.

Would you recommend commercial real estate as a career choice?

Absolutely. I would definitely say do it. It’s a great industry to be in. If you work hard, it’s very rewarding.