Photo Jeff Dawson
Local Business Profile
With 45 years combined experience across both sales and property management, husband and wife team Mark and Michelle Errichiello have recently moved to the Northern Rivers and teamed up with Byron Property Search to provide advocacy services for people looking to buy or sell across the region.
The team behind Master Advocates started in Melbourne, where they worked at Mark’s family’s real estate business. In 2007, Michelle lost her leg after a car came off the road and pinned her to a wall. She then became a record-breaking Australian Paralympian. After spending time at the AIS, in Canberra, Michelle and Mark had their first child, before deciding traditional real estate work wasn’t for them.
As Mark explains, ‘we started thinking creatively about the parts of the industry we were really passionate about, and that was the independent buyer and vendor advocacy work.’
And so Master Advocates was born, active across NSW, Victoria, and Queensland. Specialising in the Northern Rivers, the duo provide expert, independent advice, advocating for both buyers and sellers, although not in the same transaction! They are members of REBAA, Australia’s premier industry association for professional real estate buyers.
Managing the code of conduct correctly, and behaving ethically, is an important part of what they do, whether that means investigating investment opportunities, dealing with local regulations, choosing the perfect sales agent, explaining the potential rental market for a property, providing property management advice, doing due diligence, or negotiating with architects, town planners, and trades.
Finding the perfect property
Despite the recent legislative changes around property and capital gains, and ongoing high interest rates, Mark and Michelle Errichiello aren’t seeing any signs of a market slowdown so far, but have noticed people are being more careful with their purchases, which is a good thing.
As Mark explains, ‘It will stack up over the long term if you’re buying the right property to live in or the right property as an investment.’
He says this is all about foresight, strategy, and understanding each client’s long-term goals, as well as ‘pointing them in the right direction with the right professionals and team, whether it’s legal or accounting or financial planning, it’s knowing when to bring in other experts to give them the advice they need.’
Having made the big move from the city themselves, Mark and Michelle understand that money is far from the only consideration, with the community and culture of this region a big attraction for a young and growing family, as well as their connection with local buyer’s agent Michael Murray, from Byron Property Search.
As Michelle explains, ‘We wanted our daughters to be in an environment where they’re going to thrive, emotionally and mentally. There was no work-life balance in Melbourne, and that’s not the environment that we wanted our girls to grow up in.
‘The community and natural environment here is beautiful. We’ve already met lovely families – it’s very nurturing and caring.’
Boutique service
In order to give each of their clients the attention to detail they pride themselves on, Mark and Michelle try not to advocate for more than five or six clients at a time.
Michelle is also hoping to find more time for her athletics, now that she doesn’t have to sit in traffic for hours every day.
Will she compete again? ‘Never say never!’ She says sport has taught her you never know what’s around the corner, and to approach life without fear, supported by training and discipline.
The Errichiellos have both taken something of a leap into the unknown with their new professional direction, and so far it’s paying dividends for the whole family. Mark says he’s noticed improved ‘emotional grounding’ and balance in the Northern Rivers. ‘If you strengthen your emotional intelligence, you can go through any challenge,’ he said.
‘We love Melbourne, but this is our home now, and there’s a lot to appreciate. Coming through Covid with the kids in Melbourne, and then the hectic lifestyle that Michelle mentioned, it makes you appreciate the balance here, and the creative side as well.’
You can learn more about Master Advocates at: www.masteradvocates.com.au.
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