How do i choose a salesperson agent i can trust?

This is the question most people considering selling or buying ask themselves. The reality is that our industry is heavily legislated in terms of what we are expected to know and how we are expected to behave, but that alone is often not enough for most people.

They want more than someone who is just acting within the rules. They want someone who actually cares and who has a reputation for getting results. The test of a good agent surely must be what people say of them ... so click on my 'Testimonials' and read just a few of my vast collection of the many I have accumulated over the years. By reading them, I hope that you will find that common thread that was important to them may also be important to you.

But in the meantime, who am I?

I have lived in Papamoa with my family since 1996 and during this time I have sold real estate. That's since my hair was brown!

My background is that of a 'career-banker' and I spent over 21 years in the industry (in all sorts of areas from branch banking; lending and management roles to Regional and head office positions as part of a 'change management program', working alongside 'McKinsey & Co' - world renowned for systems management changes) before being caught up in the wave of redundancies in the mid-nineties. Then I took up my only second working career in my life - instead of lending money for properties, I decided to sell them!

I am married and have three great boys and since living here it is amazing the significant growth the area has undertaken - it has literally 'grown around us'. And having been here for a year or two, we've come to know a few people and have interacted and aligned ourselves with numerous local community groups over the years such as Papamoa Progressive Association (ratepayers group), Neighbourhood Support and 'Junior Neighbourhood Support', Papamoa Community Support Centre and the Royal Palm Beach Discussion Group.

Many folk who I have helped in the past welcome my 'down-to-earth' approach and my efforts to provide creative ideas, suggestions and solutions to assist them sell in the most cost-effective way possible for the best price the market is prepared to pay. Likewise I work alongside buyers to find that elusive property and I do really listen to what you are looking for that will work for you. Be it family, local community organisations or valued clients and customers, we are a family who 'gives and supports' to all that we rub shoulders with and the only thing we 'take' is the time to help as many people as we can that we come into contact with.

If I can help you too, please give me a call and allow me to take time to speak with you about what it is I can help you achieve. If you are not quite ready yet to have me help you sell or buy, but are just thinking about 'maybe doing something' email me anyway and request I forward you a copy of my 'brand book' (a lovely glossy publication) via snail mail.

I look forward to hearing from you.

• Many thanks again. Your name was recommended when making enquiries as to a good real estate agent. Our expectations have been exceeded in regards to the professional delivery of your services and more importantly the very caring and considerate management of our tenants leading up to the final sale. In all this has made for a stress less journey. Thanks again to you Ron and your team.

  Maurice and Arihia Tuoro

• I wish to convey my sincere thanks for your services and expertise in preparing my property for the market and auctioning the successful sale. I have found EVES program very satisfactory in every way, easy to understand and have been kept informed on every aspect. I will not hesitate to recommend EVES and the staff to any of my friends in the future. Thank you for a job well done.

  Vida Thorby

• Thank you for all you did it made a could be very daunting task much easier and was a pleasure dealing with you. We would like to sincerely thank Ron for his help in marketing our home and taking it to a very successful auction. With four owners in two different cities selling a home in a third city could have been fraught with problems, with Ron on the job it was all smooth sailing. His communication was outstanding and he always made sure we knew exactly what was going on when, and how the marketing in general was progressing. He gave us regular updates both by email and phone and always ensured we understood what was expected every step of the way. We wouldn’t hesitate in using Ron again and recommending him to anyone else who was looking at selling their home. He even changed lightbulbs for us.

  Welton, Heather, Leanne, Peter Browne

• The following testimonial found its way to both the CEO of Realty Services and the Group Marketing Managers for Eves Realty. It is from a caring son of one of Ron's clients:
  
  "I just wanted to drop you a line regarding one of the Eves agents in Papamoa who has recently helped my mother sell her house as she has decided to move into the Bob Owens retirement village in Bethlehem. Given they are part of your group I presume you could pass on our appreciation for the way Ron Melville has conducted himself throughout the sale process. Obviously it is at times difficult when someone decides to leave the home they once shared with love ones and move on to a retirement village environment, particularly given my mother is not that old but suffers badly from arthritis and needs help on occasions. Ron has well and truly gone the extra mile in ensuring she has been well informed and feels comfortable with the process. With myself and my sisters living on this side of the Kaimai's this has been of particular comfort to us! Once again thanks for your efforts with our Mum, we were a bit worried that the exercise was going to be a bit much for her emotionally but the approach has been spot on and we as a family very much appreciate that. If you could please pass on our appreciation to the appropriate person that would be greatly appreciated, Ron seems to me to be a great asset to the Eve's brand."
  

  Brendon Lally - Son of Trish Lally

• Great team player. Having known Ron Melville as a Real Estate Icon of Papamoa over the last 18 years, we had no doubt we would be very happy for Ron to assist us in the sale of our home in Papamoa. He is very astute to detail, very professional, a great listener and knows the market well. The personal contact was brilliant, always making sure along the way we were up-to-date with all aspects of our sale and going the extra mile for us at all times. Ron’s ‘Best Price Policy’ says it all. We would highly recommend him to assist anyone, as his expertise, professionalism, un-stressful handling, along with a serious but fun way of competence was of an extremely high standard. Good luck with all future sales.

  Murray and Joan Pierce

• Recently we sold our property in Papamoa using Ron Melville of EVES Papamoa as our selling agent. I would like to commend Ron and his firm EVES for the most professional way they handled all aspects of the sale with the final auction maximising our expectations of a sale price. From our first meeting, the appraisal and marketing plan, the on-going weekly reports on open homes until final auction plan we were impressed with Ron’s support and wise counsel. His many years in his profession and more importantly his expertise in dealing with both ourselves as vendors and prospective buyers was demonstrated throughout our dealings. We would like to recommend Ron as your first call if you are looking to sell.

  Peter and Rosalie Burnett

• We were extremely satisfied with the exceptional service that Ron Melville has provided during the sale of 22 Santa Monica Drive. We felt completely supported as he guided us through the process in manageable increments so we did not feel overwhelmed. We felt Ron delivered a highly professional service as every stage. He was clear and reassuring as he has had years of experience in this business. He kept in contact on a daily basis, drip feeding information as required. Ron was always prompt to appointments and spent time making sure we, the customer, were well informed and prepared. Thank you to EVES Realty for the seamless service that they provided throughout this time leading up to an early sale.

  Bill and Judith Christiansen

• Ron Melville is an excellent real estate agent. He is always ready to listen and answer questions and his marketing plan helped produce the sale of our house within about a week. We recommend Ron to anyone looking for a helpful, reliable real estate agent.

  David and Brenda Bibby

• We can definitely recommend Ron for helping you find a property to buy. We initially struggled to get a house, missing out on 5 properties at auction. With Ron’s help, follow-up and responsive service we managed to secure a dream place 2 minutes walk from the beach in Papamoa. Ron is better described as an experienced guide and adviser rather than a typical “sales person” explaining things thoroughly and walked us through the pre-auction offer process. The speed of follow-up, encouragement and local area knowledge meaning we secured a great house in time and within budget in a “hot market”. Looking forward to wandering down to the beach in summer time!

  Jaydn Nixon and Rebecca Osborne

• We recently sold a property through Ron Melville in the EVES Papamoa branch. Throughout all stages of the process we felt very well informed and even though the property sold very quickly we felt comfortable leaving it in his hands and we’re ultimately very happy with the price he got for it. Have enquired with a few different agencies at the start, we felt EVES were very professional in their overall approach and therefore have no hesitation recommending them to others.

  Gareth Burgess

• My sister and I chose Ron to do the marketing of our property after a family recommendation. Despite a number of private offers, we were convinced by Ron that he could do better. And he did. Much better. We couldn’t be happier with our decision to sell with Ron. We really appreciate Ron’s friendly professionalism and his unwavering positivity and assistance when we needed it. He was always approachable and kept us well informed about how the marketing of our property was progressing. If you are looking for a top agent to get you a top deal, then, like us, you should call Ron Melville.

  C. Sullivan

• The following testimonial found its way to both the CEO of Realty Services and the Group Marketing Managers for Eves Realty. It is from a caring son of one of Ron's clients:
  
  "I just wanted to drop you a line regarding one of the Eves agents in Papamoa who has recently helped my mother sell her house as she has decided to move into the Bob Owens retirement village in Bethlehem. Given they are part of your group I presume you could pass on our appreciation for the way Ron Melville has conducted himself throughout the sale process.
  
  Obviously it is at times difficult when someone decides to leave the home they once shared with love ones and move on to a retirement village environment, particularly given my mother is not that old but suffers badly from arthritis and needs help on occasions. Ron has well and truly gone the extra mile in ensuring she has been well informed and feels comfortable with the process. With myself and my sisters living on this side of the Kaimai's this has been of particular comfort to us!
  
  Once again thanks for your efforts with our Mum, we were a bit worried that the exercise was going to be a bit much for her emotionally but the approach has been spot on and we as a family very much appreciate that.
  
  If you could please pass on our appreciation to the appropriate person that would be greatly appreciated, Ron seems to me to be a great asset to the Eve's brand."
  

  Brendon Lally - Son of Trish Lally

• I would have no hesitation in recommending Ron Melville to anyone.
  
  He works to a very high standard and is very professional and passionate about what he does.
  
  In our view Ron gets 10 out of 10 and should win 'Agent of the Year!'
  
  It has been a real pleasure doing business with you.
  
  Thanks Ron for everything. Very happy buyers.
  

  Caroline & John Hoogstraten

• I would happily recommend Ron to anyone buying or selling a property.
  
  Ron is hardworking and trustworthy. He is a very communicator.
  
  You know you are in capable hands with Ron's level of professionalism.
  

  Jane, Ken & Nick Knowlson

• Thank you Ron. From the first time I spoke with you, I felt that you were an honest and 'super efficient agent'. I told you what I was looking for, and on the day of our first meeting you were there, ready to show us around.
  
  You had organised the viewings efficiently. I was most impressed with your knowledge of the area. Schools, parks, estates etc. You always kept me in the loop and you communication was most valuable, especially when I was having doubts or worries about anything.
  
  Thanks so much Ron. I love the apartment and I will be recommending you to any of my friends and family that might move down to the Bay of Plenty.
  
  PS - Thanks Ron, I appreciate all you did for me. Excellent service!
  

  Sue Belsham

• Ron was very helpful in helping us find a house. I went looking out of the blue one day and told him what we were after. After looking at a few houses that he took me around to, he showed me 1195 Papamoa Beach Road. I instantly fell in love with the garden and even more as I walked through - so much potential!
  
  Ron was very helpful and nice throughout the whole house buying process!
  

  Zoe Williams

• Our agent, Ron Melville was the main reason for dealing with Eves.
  
  We couldn't be happier with the way in which Ron has performed.
  
  The Eves marketing was first class and we are very satisfied with the outcome. Thanks
  

  Paul & Leigh Crawford

• We have been very satisfied with Eves while renting our property. Jude (Eves Rental Manager, Papamoa) has been great. She has been very patient with us as we have been slow to respond sometimes. Because of Jude, we decided to use Eves to sell our property.
  We were pleasantly surprised to find Ron was equally as good as Jude. He explained everything to us fully and when the property didn't sell at auction he didn't miss a beat and was able to get a sale very quickly. I would also like to thank David (Eves Papamoa Manager). It seems you have a good team (Rentals/ Sales/ Management). Thank you all for your efforts and patience
  

  Stephen Hall

• Professional, yet caring, empathetic.
  
  Explained everything so it was easy to understand. Excellent communication
  
  Has a really good understanding of today's market and guided me accordingly
  
  Ron went beyond the call of duty. He was the only agent who would take an 'out-of-towner' around Papamoa, even though I hadn't sold my house. He kept close contact with both myself and my daughter and guided us through all the processes.
  
  I can't thank him enough
  

  Bonnie Wynne

• Ron was very helpful regarding the purchase of my first house. I really liked the fact that I found houses that I liked and he gave me information that I wouldn't have known about
  
  Being a first home buyer and my family being away, I was comfortable dealing with Ron and didn't feel pressured into anything
  
  It was great he picked us up and took us around to look at the houses.
  
  A really great experience.
  
  Thank you very much Ron!
  

  Laura Fisher