From reception desk to industry disruptor: The evolution of Property Assist

At 17, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Like many school leavers, I was simply looking for a job — any job — when I landed a receptionist position at a local real estate agency.

It seemed ordinary at the time, but it would go on to shape the course of my entire career.

What truly captured my attention wasn’t the sales process or the glamour often associated with real estate — it was the property manager in the back office.

She was under immense pressure, juggling tenant disputes, owner frustrations, and a never-ending to-do list. I remember thinking, surely property management doesn’t have to be this stressful?

That moment stayed with me. It became the spark that led me to pursue a career in property management — but with a clear goal: to do things differently.

At 18, I completed my registration and took on an assistant property manager role. When the senior PM resigned unexpectedly, I found myself managing a 250-property portfolio with the agency director.

It was a steep learning curve, and while it was tough, it taught me resilience.

Over the next eight years, I moved through roles at different agencies, eventually transitioning into business development — a role that reignited my passion for the industry.

But the final agency role I held brought everything to a halt.

Despite loving the industry and the work itself, I found myself working for leadership that lacked care for their team.

The burnout was real. I took a break, unsure if I’d return. But soon enough, agencies started reaching out, asking for help — a report here, a routine inspection there.

Before I knew it, I was fully booked with freelance work. That was the turning point.

I saw an opportunity to not only help property managers manage the pressure, but to raise the standard of service and support within the industry.

In 2015, I launched Property Assist in Perth. At first, it was just me — completing reports late into the night.

But the demand kept growing. Property managers were under strain, and agencies needed reliable, experienced professionals to alleviate the pressure.

What started as a solo venture quickly grew into a business.

Today, we have 19 inspectors across Western Australia and an incredible offshore administration team. In 2025, we’ll proudly celebrate a decade in business.

Our model was never about cutting corners — it was about delivering high-quality inspection services, completed by licensed professionals who understand the stakes.

As a licensed agent myself, I built Property Assist on industry knowledge, compliance, and care.

We’ve helped hundreds of agencies shift from reactive to proactive, with streamlined processes and better communication.

For years, expansion to the East Coast seemed out of reach — especially with two young children at home.

But in 2024, after attending AREC and hearing directly from agency leaders and property managers about their challenges, I knew it was time.

Many had tried outsourcing before, but struggled to find providers with the right qualifications or industry experience.

So, I took the leap.

Today, we operate with nearly 30 inspectors nationwide, including 11 on the East Coast — and the demand continues to grow.

What’s been most striking is the East Coast reception: agency leaders are clearly ready to adapt how they run their businesses.

There’s a noticeable shift in mindset. Principals are prioritising where and how they spend their time and resources — and that openness to smarter, more sustainable solutions has catapulted interest in our services.

They’re not just outsourcing for convenience — they’re outsourcing for growth.

They’re building happier teams, improving retention, and enhancing the professionalism of their rent rolls.

We’re also seeing a cultural shift: offices are increasingly confident in charging for inspections, knowing they’re providing professionally completed, well-documented reports that add real value to clients.

And in a moment of immense pride, our East Coast expansion was punctuated by a major milestone: our office manager, Sharmaine, was named Administrator of the Year at the REB Awards.

To achieve such recognition in our first year on the East Coast was humbling — and a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our team.

Looking back, Property Assist was built from a single idea: that property management could be better. Today, our mission remains the same — to improve the industry from the inside out by supporting the professionals who keep it moving.

Ten years ago, I was just another young receptionist figuring it out. Today, I’m proud to lead a national team that’s helping reshape the way we approach property management in Australia.