WE ARE RE/MAX Property Associates | Page 7

our broker ownerS Caron Leslie W ith nearly 40 years in the property industry, Caron Leslie has been through every property cycle imaginable, from high interests and no finance to property booms and market dips – you name it and she has been through it in this industry. Wearing many hats as a business owner, wife, mother and grandmother, Caron says that she started her property career in Kempton Park on the East Rand of Johannesburg. After joining the industry she was able to eventually own your own real estate agency, which she ran for many years before making the decision to change her life in 1999 and move to the mother city – Cape Town. After selling property in the Tableview/ Blouberg area for four years, she was approached to manage the Tableview branch of RE/MAX Property Associates, becoming a partner in the business shortly thereafter. “Wow – I wish I knew then what was in store for me,” says Caron. Under the leadership of José and Caron, RE/MAX Property Associates has grown to over 150 agents with seven offices operating in different areas throughout the Western Cape. During the span of her career Caron has won every single property award that could be won, with RE/MAX of Southern Africa even having to create an award to give her. Describing herself as determined, competitive, hardworking and passionate, Caron says that she loves what she does. “I am passionate about the brand and how it can change lives. I only wish I was younger as I have so much I still want to achieve in my career but being on the wrong side of 60 has its limitations. I would love to do it all over again and this time I would have embraced the use of technology and learnt more,” says Caron. She adds that one of the most important achievements in one’s life is to own their own home - the younger the better. “Young people should be encouraged to buy homes at an early age, as it is the best way to invest in their life. Start small – as long as you are on the ladder,” Caron advises. Speaking about the changes in the property industry over the years and the introduction of legislation regarding real estate professionals, Caron says that she is extremely happy that the industry has become more regulated and that agents now have to be qualified on an ongoing basis. This is a positive change; from here the industry can only improve and get better.