One of top three agents worldwide
Daryn Wood
PORT ELIZABETH estate agent Kobie Potgieter proved that dynamite comes in small packages when she went up against 90000 agents at an International Convention in Las Vegas.
The petite businesswoman who has become a household name in the city, placed third in the Top 10 Individuals for International Residential agents at the 2012 Re/Max convention last month.
The convention was attended by agents from 85 countries.
When it comes to property, Potgieter is as safe as the houses.
"I feel humbled by God giving me the ability to achieve this award,” said Potgieter.
"I am grateful to the people of Port Elizabeth, my agents, staff and family for helping me, without them I could not have done it.”
The mother of two believes family is important and spends as much time as possible with her children Lexi, 10, and Carmen, 14, who both attend St Dominic’s Priory.
This award follows her recent achievements at the national Re/Max convention last month where she was appointed as the top ranking Broker/Owner Individual of the Year for the group. She was also crowned best Broker/Owner of the Year in a Multi-Office situated in a Non-Metro area.
Her list of achievements also includes making the top three in the Business Woman of the Year in 2006, being nominated for the Most Influential Businesswoman of the Year in 2008 and being chosen as the Re/Max top agent in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
The Lovemore Heights resident has been in the property business for 12 years and owns two Re/Max franchises.
Potgieter has lived in Lovemore Heights for 14 years and is in love with the area.
"I love the views more than anything else. It is also a safe area with good schools. I also like the fact that it is close to shopping centres,” she said.
A former Môrewag Grade 2 teacher, Potgieter got involved in property by chance and said she seemed to have a knack for business, and selling houses.
She soon bought a Re/Max franchise and four years later bought another. Potgieter started off with five employees and now oversees 53 people, 41 of these are agents.
She now runs an office in Main Road, Walmer but does most of her business from her Lorraine office.
"I am very passionate about people and properties. What drives me is satisfied clients and selling them their dream home,” she said.
Potgieter said she did well to assess people to know what their needs were in order to find the perfect place for them.
She said her house was not her dream home 14 years ago.
"We bought it and turned it into a beautiful home. I saw the potential.”
Potgieter said her secret to success is knowing her strengths and weaknesses, concentrating on the strengths.
She added having a competent team was important in running a successful business.
"We are a Christian-based company,” explained Potgieter.
"God is the foundation, which is why my business is so blessed.”