In profile: Fitzroys senior associate, Mark Talbot

Agent: Mark Talbot

Position: Senior associate

Company: Fitzroys

Office location: Melbourne.

How long have you been in the industry? 

17 years.

What’s happening in the area you specialise in?

Retail property is undergoing significant changes with the onset of onlinecompetition. Rents throughout metropolitan Melbourne have adjusted and appear to be now stabilising while demand for commercial investments continues to be strong. The Melbourne suburban shopping strip continues to evolve with on-going inner city residential developments.

Describe the most interesting property you have sold?

A development site of several properties titles which contained an unused road (not owned by the vendor) directly located in the middle of land. There are now plans to development the site with the purchaser since acquiring the unused road.

What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?

Persistence, people skills and street smarts.

What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?

Handling a sale of property where there is strong competitive bidding and the vendors reserve is substantially exceeded.  Negotiation of leases and strategic advice to clients can be challenging given the present competitive nature of retail.

Where would you invest a spare $750,000?

I would look at diversification into shares, property and a fast car which will hopefully appreciate.

Which football team do you support?

Essendon.

What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?

Twitter and the iPhone.

How do you use social media?

While out of the office, Twitter is a great way to follow new breaks and receive information word-wide.