John Walters - First National

John Walters is 63. I was born in Whangarei. After completing Bachalor of Management Studies in accounting I went to Australia for 10 years. I soon left accounting and became National Perishables Food Buyer for Woolworths, then NSW Sales Manager for General Jones which was sold to McCaines. Then I was the founding Chairman of Hebel Australia Limited, a German process of manufacturing lightweight concrete products. This was sold to CSR, one of the largest building product suppliers in the world, and is now a major building product in Australia and New Zealand. All these aspects of my career taught me negotiating at all levels, patience at all times and gave me the skills to adapt to any situation, any type of real estate needing marketing. With a young family I returned to New Zealand and went on to buy and operate a holiday park, a 6 bus sightseeing company in Rotorua, a hotel in Gisborne and finally a licenced Cyber Cafe in Rotorua, before coming over to the beautiful Bay of Plenty in 2001 to begin a 16 year Real Estate career all over Tauranga and The Mount/Papamoa. I’ve sold apartments, houses, units, lifestyle, and horticulture. I enjoy it all. I’ve sold a home for $8million in The Mount (a record) and a caravan on site for $45000. I enjoy new challenges because the same principles apply always. Present the property as well as possible with good copy writing, great photos, price it accurately and follow up the clients. Then negotiate. I’ve had a long association with Rob Hooper. I have great respect for the First National Brand and I look forward to working with his team.