In profile: Knight Frank's director - residential site sales, NSW, Tim Holtsbaum
NAME: Tim Holtsbaum 
POSITION: Director - residential site sales, NSW
COMPANY: Knight Frank Australia
OFFICE LOCATION: Sydney, NSW
- How long have you been in the industry?
Over 10 years now.
- What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
Big things! It's no secret that the residential markets across Australia and especially in Sydney have enjoyed substantial growth in both supply and demand economics. Sydney experienced a relative under supply for several years’ post the GFC which when combined with a low interest rate environment has now led to aggressive price growth in the medium to high density residential market.
This growth has been amplified by the influx of off-shore investors and developers, especially from within the Asian markets such as China and Malaysia. Additional planning reforms along major infrastructure corridors with the aim of densifying key areas across metropolitan Sydney provide additional opportunities for both domestic and off-shore developers.
With Sydney having experienced an approximate 35-40% growth in the median value on an apartment in the past five years, further growth is forecast for the coming 2-3 years as supply attempts to match ongoing demand for residential housing in Sydney.
- Describe the most interesting commercial property you have worked on?
Perhaps due to their locations, it would be a tie between a 14 acre land acquisition for a new baby diaper manufacturing facility in Lagos, Nigeria and a commercial office acquisition in Islamabad, Pakistan. Both presented unique challenges such as negotiating with local tribes in Nigeria through our Portuguese lawyers and having to discuss Ricky Ponting and the Australian cricket team for an hour before every meeting with a Pakistani Landlord.
- What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
First and foremost, an infatuation with all things real estate. If you find yourself sending your friends and family off to sleep with details of housing price movements in your suburb, growth in achievable gross realisations for high rise residential apartments and tightening cap rates due to an increased weight of capital in the market, you have found your niche.
In addition to general interest, I would also attribute my broad skill set having worked in multiple business lines across Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Based on my experiences, I am a strong advocate for working cross-border in markets with contrasting cultures and individuals. Globalisation may be the norm but understanding how various cultures conduct business can be pivotal in executing a successful transaction.
- What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
Two things:
- Working with first class clients and focusing 100% of my energy on the residential development market and
- The transaction.
My recent move to Knight Frank as the Director of Residential Site Sales, NSW helps me combine to two and build a team that will contribute to the growth of our Residential business as a whole.
- Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
Invest in promising young businesses with substantial growth potential. I think Australian business will enjoy massive growth potential as our population increases year-on-year.
- Which football team do you support?
For my sins I am a Dragons fan in the NRL and a diehard Liverpool FC supporter in the EPL. I grew up playing rugby here in Sydney at school and Eastern Suburbs RC so supporting the Beasties and Tahs goes without saying.
- What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?
I would have to say my new phone. I am not a mobile phone wizard by any stretch of the imagination but I have recently switched to the Sony Xperia Z3 and haven't looked back. Of course, I have been given major amounts of grief for getting a Sony which just make me enjoy it more.
- How do you use social media?
Sparingly. I have the usual Facebook and Instagram accounts but my user levels are definitely on the low end of the scale. Can't say I am a huge fan of endless microblogging, hence no Twitter account for me.