10 Dec 2021
Words
Russell Rogers Informer Issue 101
Broker Profile - Russell Rogers
He’s won our Sales Broker of the Year Award four times, including FY21, and has been Motel Broker of the Year five times in a row, and Russell Rogers is one of ResortBrokers’ most effective and prolific brokers. In the last six years alone, Russell has sold and settled on nearly 100 properties with a value in excess of $175 million and he’s now regarded as Australia’s premier broker in the motels and caravans sector. Since joining us in 2011, Russell has excelled covering a beautiful, diverse region taking in the NSW south coast, Snowy Mountains, Canberra and Southern Highlands.
How, and when, did you come to work at ResortBrokers?
I had owned and run motels in Mollymook and Goulburn since 1991 and the accommodation industry was well and truly in my blood. I think one day I saw an advertisement in a newspaper for ResortBrokers and I thought I’d be perfect to take on a position in this part of the world because of my experience. All I did was ring “Crooksy” (ResortBrokers Founder and now-Chairman Ian Crooks) and suggested he give me a job. It was as simple as that. I think he liked the direct approach I took, so I was hired. Never looked back since.
Are the rumours true that you were once an abalone diver?
Yes it is. I owned and dived an Abalone Quota in NSW and New Zealand from 1986 to 1997. I know someone in there has a photo of me from back in the day and I bet it’s used with this article! It was hard work but it was lots of fun and I look back with fond memories to those days. I still call it my “working holiday of 11 years” and it was an amazing time.
What do you specialise in, and how is your market on the NSW south coast looking right now?
I specialise in large motels, caravan parks and MHE land lease communities and my area on the NSW south coast is on fire at the moment. There’s massive demand for accommodation businesses and there are lots of newer and bigger buyers who are very active at the moment. I have never in 10 years seen the market this strong across the board. Pretty much everything I have listed is selling really quickly and there’s probably a few key factors driving this. COVID has helped boost drive tourism as the NSW south coast is the perfect drive holiday from Sydney and Canberra, and the players are following this. Interest rates are low, and likely to remain so for some time, and the simple fact is that this is such a beautiful part of the world, far away from the hustle and bustle of the big smoke. I think people realise this and are making their tree and sea change moves.
You’ve been involved in some big deals this year – which one stands out for you and why?
I have a couple of big deals this year, one each in both the Canberra region and Wollongong area. Both these have been standout deals. I love the big deals as they attract the large “can-do” buyers who are serious and happy to move quickly. Working with these buyers, you get an understanding of what they are pushing to achieve in the accommodation industry and it’s just really exciting to be able to be a part of it. Ultimately it’s all about helping both vendors and buyers achieve their desired results.
What is the toughest part of your job?
As with any business, there are ups and downs. Dealing with the disappointments is the hardest part. As a broker, to be successful you have to learn to take them on the chin, laugh and move onto your next deal. I was fortunate to have good mentors when I started with the company and have learned this quickly. You have to be resilient.
What makes you tick? What do you do on a typical weekend?
I live at one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia in the Mollymook area so my time off revolves around the ocean. I love walking the beach daily and exercising. I dive and fish whenever the time and conditions are good. All of these things are good for the soul and I try and make time to do them, even if work is really busy – which it is right now. We also have nine grandchildren who visit and stay with us regularly. We have an enormous tiered vegetable garden behind our house and we spend time on that and I have always loved growing vegetables and fruit trees. Most of our vegetables are grown by us. We also grow mangoes, figs, citrus and papaya.
If you couldn’t work here at ResortBrokers, what would be your ideal job?
I honestly can’t think of anything at this stage. Working here gives me autonomy in my region of the NSW south coast, it’s rewarding on all levels and I get to travel and meet really good people. And I get to work with a great team from all around Australia.
