Cameron Bailey talks real estate
Mention real estate and chances are that most people will drop the name Cameron Bailey into the conversation. He is, after all, one of Canterbury (and New Zealand’s) top realty agents. By Lynda Papesch.
Cameron has built his reputation on repeat business, outstanding client results, and on delivering exceptional levels of service. All that comes at a cost, not just to the buyers and sellers.
For Cameron, it’s a full-time-plus career, and one he would not change. In the real estate business for more than two decades, he’s an integral part (and a partner) of the Harcourts gold franchise of six offices. 
Several key mantras keep him going in the industry. “I like to make things simple for the clients I work for. I listen, I list and then I sell their properties whilst always keeping in touch. It’s been those very genuine actions that have driven my business so successfully.”
His professional reputation is based on repeat business, something he is enormously proud of, and Cameron takes great care when choosing a marketing method for each client. “I have been very fortunate to work with a large number of clients across a multitude of different properties, and I’m mindful that every person, and every situation, provides me with a unique opportunity to exceed expectations,” he says.
Working with people is one of the attractions. “I sell some lovely properties, and I remember the people and the journey.” One piece of advice he gives is that vendors should have a
“good fit” with their sales consultant. He finds that meeting people at various critical stages in their lives – births, deaths, separations – makes him part of their families for a few weeks. “I’m working with their most valuable asset, and they are trusting me; letting me into their homes and their lives. That’s a privilege.”
Having the right agent may make all the difference in the price of a property, Cameron adds. “Confidence helps, experience, and knowing what works well. Proper staging, for example, can make a difference of 15% in the final sale price.” While the industry is “tough and challenging”, Cameron says there is still plenty of optimism in the marketplace. “Last year people were almost too scared to make a decision about selling and stayed where they were. Now that interest rates have cranked down a bit, people are starting to think [buying and selling] again.
While he works long hours, seven days a week, even when on holiday, Cameron says real estate is a wonderful career to have. “You are master of your own destiny. You get out of it what you put into it,” he adds, saying in his opinion selling real estate should be a full-time job. “There are a lot of part-time agents out there. How can you possibly look after a valued client part-time,” he queries.
Finding his work/life balance is a work in progress. “Even after 20 years, I’m still working on it,” he says. “It’s difficult to run a business at my level and have that balance.” Going to the gym every morning, saunas, and ice baths help Cameron to de-stress. He also admits to being partial to the ‘odd cigar’ after a busy day of open homes, and to running up to 20 open
homes a weekend.
His final advice: “Great land holding is always a key to [valuable] real estate, as is location. Look for a big section, the worst house in the best street, and a proven sales consultant to work with you.”
