Kerrie Kerr Property Woman of the Year

Kerrie Kerr Property Woman of the Year

Kerrie Kerr won the Property Woman of the Year after adding $4.1million to her property portfolio in just four years. Kerrie is from regional New South Wales and was selected from 100 nominees from around Australia and New Zealand. Winning Property Woman of the Year also means Kerrie receives a five day property tour in the south west of France.

Inspiring winner, Kerrie Kerr, purchased 25 rental properties in Brisbane and regional New South Wales over the past four years and completed 16 renovations whilst managing the New South Wales properties.

The Property Woman of the Year was selected from the winners of five categories. The winners are:

Real Tenants Best Property Management, Kerrie Kerr of regional NSW

Development Diva, Debbie Williams of Adelaide

Reno Kings Best Newcomer, Cherie White of Sydney

Cash flow Queen, Prue Muirhead of Adelaide

Reno Queen, Jacinta Scicluna of Lennox Head

Property Women was founded in Australia in 2006 and early in 2009 launched into New Zealand. With a following of over 15,000 registered online members Property Women provides independent education, information, inspiration and association for women involved in property. www.propertywomen.com.au

Interview with Kerrie Kerr

How does it feel to be awarded Property Woman of the Year?

Kerrie Kerr: Brilliant - it's wonderful for women and in particular regional women to receive recognition in what has been a male dominated area. Women are particularly good at juggling various things at once, and have excellent organisation skills and keeping on top of the detail.


What challenges have you personally faced in regards to purchasing property?

Kerrie Kerr: Initially it was a huge issue to be accepted as a female in regional NSW investing in her own right both by real estate agents and the finance industry. After much deference to my husband, we took the stand of only me ever dealing with them and they gradually got the message that I was in control. Now it's no issue at all.


How did the Global Financial Crisis affect your property purchasing?

Kerrie Kerr: It was a planned year of consolidation which extended into two.


What should we look for when buying a house?

Kerrie Kerr: After buying units, blocks of units, houses, old and new properties, those that needed renovation and those that have development potential, I prefer properties that suit the median rental market. I like to buy properties that are in the bottom end of the market but have potential to move them up into the median rental and sale price market. This way I know the expected sale price and what I should be getting. Buying properties in the top end of the market can be ongoing rental headaches with larger vacancy and tenants who expect perfection.


What signs can we look for to prove the property isn't a great buy?

Kerrie Kerr: Properties that have structural problems, poor location (as location is something you can never change), or those that require a particular thing to occur (eg. A mine to proceed, highway to be altered, DA to be approved.) Make the purchase work on the worst case scenario and you can only go up and forward from there.


What inclusions determine a good rental property?

Kerrie Kerr: For me, it's the stock standard house - 2/3 or 4 bedrooms (preferably where you can create the extra bedroom), well maintained; secure yard with little garden maintenance required, car accommodation if it suits the tenant type; location close to shops and transport.


When building or renovating a home what resell values should buyers look at including?

Kerrie Kerr: Car accommodation; extra bedrooms; patio, deck or verandah, superficially renovated bathroom and kitchen (fresh, clean, new benchtops, door handles, new taps or just handles, clean tiles, new or look new appliances).


What have you learnt, that you can share with our readers, from the property industry?

Kerrie Kerr: It's not rocket science - do your research both on property investing generally and on market research for each purchase, surround yourself with a qualified and reliable team including financiers, accountants, agents and surveyors but most of all like minded and supportive friends.


Who inspired you to begin purchasing rental properties?

Kerrie Kerr: Our dear friend Bill Richardson who was a local real estate agent and developer at the time. He encouraged and supported us to start and keep going with investments.


Which areas of a home are best to renovate?

Kerrie Kerr: In my view, anything that gives a bang for your buck in terms of capital growth and rental yield. I don't do anything unless it results in a rental increase.


Interview by Brooke Hunter

Photos by AA Xpose Media