Student Spotlight: Stephen Schibler 

After 50 years working in sales, Stephen Schibler decided to re-train as a real estate sales representative. As Stephen chases his first house sale, we spoke to him about his career journey and why he decided to take the leap later in life.

We spoke with Stephen Schibler

Can you briefly describe your career background before transitioning into real estate?

I've had a varied career, starting about 50 years ago with my own curtain business in Myaree which I ran for 17 years. After that, I worked for Atrium Homes and Zorzi for around 18 years. I then moved into the timber flooring industry with a friend where I spent six years. For the past seven years, I’ve been in the caravan industry, which was booming during COVID. Real estate seemed like a natural transition as I've spent most of my life in and around the housing industry in one way or another.

What motivated you to take the plunge to start a new career at this stage in your life?

I had been thinking about real estate for years, and I knew it would be tough, but I was ready for a change. Plus, my long-time acquaintance, Jacky [from Jacky Ladbrook Real Estate], who is now my principal, played a big role in encouraging me to pursue it.

How do you think your experience will help in your real estate career?

Life experience is a huge asset. I'm more mature, have more patience and know how to truly listen to people. I've been in sales most of my life, whether it was curtains, houses or caravans, and I’ve always believed in being honest and having integrity. The years spent in various industries have taught me the importance of understanding customer needs, which is crucial when selling homes.

What challenges have you faced in transitioning to real estate?

The biggest challenge so far was the real estate training course itself. It was much harder than I anticipated. Completing the 200-plus hours of study in four months while balancing my other job was tough, and some of the assessments were quite difficult. However, I was determined! And with a bit of help from Jacky, I managed to pass.

Now, the challenge is getting my first sale. But I know once I get that, I’ll be off and running.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about moving into the real estate industry?

I would definitely recommend doing the course with REIWA Training but be prepared – it’s not easy. Also, try to do the course work directly on your computer rather than taking notes by hand. It is much easier and quicker to work off your computer. Plus, all the forms etc are online now.

Be prepared for a competitive market and understand that getting started can be slow. Also, ongoing learning is crucial – keep up with training and stay informed about the latest industry trends.

And remember that building relationships and having a genuine interest in helping people are the keys to success in any sales role.

How is your new career going so far?

It’s a bit of a juggling act right now. I’m still working part-time at the caravan place because they don’t want to lose me, and I also enjoy it. But my focus is shifting more toward real estate. I’m working closely with Jacky, attending home opens and gradually moving into handling my own properties. Eventually, I hope to transition fully into real estate and perhaps even work part-time, which would be ideal for me.

What are your goals in your new career?

My main goal is to get my first sale under my belt. After that, I believe the rest will follow more easily. I’d like to sell eight or nine houses a year, which would allow me to stay active and engaged in the industry while still having time for my other interests.

I am also heavily involved with Scouts and the Blue Gum Park Tennis Club. Giving back to the community has always been important to me, so I enjoy spending time helping there.

If you’re thinking about a career change into real estate, visit http://reiwatraining.com.au or contact REIWA Training at 9380 8285 or training@reiwa.com.au for personalised advice on starting your journey.

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