In profile: Tim Mutton, Colliers International’s Canberra office specialist
Tim Mutton will have a first-hand view of what will happen to the Canberra office market as the federal election campaign gets into full swing.
He tells Property Observer about the forces shaping the market and that he would invest a spare $750,000 in an office property in Fyshwick that offers double-digit yield potential.
Agent: Tim Mutton
Position: Director, investment services and office leasing
Company: Colliers International
Office Location: Canberra
How long have you been in the industry?
Joined Colliers International as a graduate in 2003.
Investment sales activity over the first half of 2012 has been strong, with four major transactions completed. Total sales volumes have already surpassed the total sales of the past two years, with $377.8 million having been transacted. Offshore investors have been particularly attracted to the Canberra market, dominating total sales volumes for the first half of the year as they seek the relative safety of government leased investments.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold.
The most interesting property I have been involved with the sale of was a farm on the outskirts of Canberra where we were involved in finding a joint venture partner for the development of a 6,000-lot community called Googong. Over time this property will turn into its own township with shops, schools, community facilities in addition to a variety of housing options.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
I strongly believe that to be a good agent you need an enquiring mind. You need to be able to think laterally and not be afraid to spend time understanding your clients and their properties. I also think you have to be patient. A lot of people get into real estate for rapid results, but you need to spend time learning your market, understanding the personalities operating in it and then turning this information into winning investment ideas for your clients.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
Uncovering value for my clients in areas overlooked by the majority. The number of times we have had good investment and development properties available but people have overlooked them to follow the herd into substandard assets baffles me.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
With interest rates falling I would invest in well-located light commercial in the Canberra suburb of Fyshwick with double-digit yield.
Which football team do you support?
ACT Brumbies
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?
I would be lost without my Sharp EL 735 calculator. Very old fashioned but faster than any app I have found to calculate values.
I use social media to keep track of colleagues and friends but also to better understand my clients and customers. The amount of information available in social networks is growing exponentially and to be able to have this information at my fingertips is amazing.