Vicinity Apartments
Before Vicinity Apartments, Sue Newman and Mike Bell had never dabbled in management rights. Originally from New Zealand, the energetic couple decided after 20 years in the banking sector they wanted a new challenge. After much research they felt Australia and more specifically Queensland, was the place that could offer this.
Mike and Sue commenced searching for employment or a business that would challenge them both mentally and physically. After staying at many complexes during this search, they decided to take a look at the management rights business model. Mike and Sue could see the business offered them what they were seeking plus the added attraction of a work/life balance, very different from the 20 years they had spent in the corporate environment.
“We wanted jobs where we could enjoy the Queensland lifestyle and management rights seemed to fit the bill,” Mike said.
They decided early on that they wanted a permanent complex and spent the next 12 months looking up and down the coast for their ultimate prize.
Sue added, “We looked at properties from Noosa to the Gold Coast and hadn’t considered Brisbane as a possibility until Cindy Harrison from RAAS suggested it. Vicinity was the last property we saw and we knew then and there it was the one! In our minds, it was far superior to anything else we had seen in our price range.”
While the decision seemed easy, Mike and Sue didn’t put their offer in until three months later and a short time on, they took over the complex.
During the three months Sue and Mike have been at the complex, they feel they have accomplished a great deal having started a quarterly newsletter to keep owners informed, solely taking on the cleaning and maintenance duties of the complex and concentrating on keeping all units occupied at all times so owners receive the best returns.
“When we first started we were working 14 hour days. Thankfully our background in the banking sector allowed us to quickly grasp the administration side of the business and we received so much assistance from our professional suppliers, previous manager and residents. Everyone was really helpful and supportive and after six weeks we felt we had things largely under control and every day since then has been just great,” Sue said.
Luxurious Living
Located in one of Brisbane’s most sought after residential areas, Kangaroo Point, Vicinity Apartments features 41 apartments. Conveniently positioned next to Shafston University, a five minute stroll from the City Cat and ferry stops, it is no wonder Vicinity Apartments is such a popular boutique complex, with the age and demographic of residents including foreign exchange students, professionals and local retirees.
Mike said, “Being in the grounds of Vicinity Apartments you would not know it was located in a high density residential area; the grounds are green and leafy, there is a 23m lap pool and entertaining barbeque area for residents, most apartments have views of the river or look out to the city and the complex is five years new and in brilliant condition.”
Mike summarized, “Vicinity certainly delivers all that we were seeking in a complex!”
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