In profile: CBRE Agribusiness' director, Phil Schell
Agent: Phil Schell
Position: Director
Company: CBRE Agribusiness
Office Location: Adelaide
How long have you been in the industry?
Seven and a half years in real estate practices and 30 years as an owner/operator in farming, South Australia.
What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
In the first quarter of 2014, activity in the agricultural sector has been warming more towards private vendors and not distressed transactions. Our South Australian team had anextremely successful 2013, which saw 22 individual properties sell in South Australia (local sales), with a gross realisation of more than $32 million.
Transactions take time and that won’t change this year. Generally six months is a typical rural transactional period. My business model includes the local (SA) market and extends to working and assisting my interstate colleagues. I work with an amazing and skilled national team on projects and listings in sectors including grain, livestock, horticulture, viticulture, northern cattle, dairy and forestry.
Confidence from the corporate sector increased late last year,with excellent signs of continuing in 2014. I feel that the small and medium rural business owners are expanding theiroperations by acquiring neighbouring or nearby land holdings. From discussions in recent meetings, it appears the four big banks are starting to fight over “market share” providing opportunities for good borrowing and better deals.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold?
Eyre Peninsula Cropping Aggregation in 2013 - 14 properties scattered over the Eyre Peninsula. Diverse land holdings across variable rainfall regions. Some of the properties werewell developed and boasted good assets and others not so good. It was great to sell 14 out of 14, with the receiver and manager McGrathNicol very satisfied with the end result.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
Having a good team is essential, as well as understanding the intricacies of the industry, being able to fully engage with your clients (never take anything or anyone for granted), persist in a deal and don’t be concerned about the opposition - just be better!
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
Client engagement and “doing the deal”.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
Obviously rural property. The food security issue will not go away. Rural property is a “long-term hold” investment. My background is farming so I understand the risks.
Which football team do you support?
The Adelaide Crows.
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?
The iPhone is my office away from the office.
How do you use social media?
I prefer to engage with people personally. I do use LinkedIn, however, I need to explore the advantages of it further.