Bendigo's real estate industry has changed dramatically in 40 years, but a lot has remained the same.
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The Professionals' Jacinta McIvor will celebrate four decades in the caper on Saturday and said while technology has revolutionised real estate, its basic principles will never change.
"It's a service business and you need those people skills," Ms McIvor said.
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Real estate was never on Ms McIvor's radar when she finished school in December 1980.
"Forty years ago, my dad bought a real estate business and said they needed a receptionist," she said.
"I wanted to be a hairdresser and didn't have a clue about real estate."
The family business forced Ms McIvor to adapt and quickly become an all-rounder, who was across administrative, sales and property management tasks.
"You learn along the way, but there was no formal training in the eighties," she said.
"There was just a phone and old fax machine, but the fundamentals of the business haven't changed."
Working alongside her uncle Terry Clarke and cousin Danny Clarke, The Professionals has grown through hard work and dedication.
"You're working bloody hard seven days a week, but real estate has been brilliant to me," she said.
The secretary of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria Bendigo branch for 25 years, the comradery among Bendigo's real estate agents has fueled Ms McIvor's professional fire.
"If you're in the industry long-term, I think you have to give back," she said.
While paying tribute to her parents, husband, children and staff, Ms McIvor offered some words of wisdom to prospective buyers.
"Get in the market as soon as you can because Bendigo is still so affordable."
"Save hard and work hard and it will happen."
A self confessed "eighties chick" with a love for gardening, family and music said she hopes to remain in the industry for years to come.
For more property listings, check out Real Estate View, published every Friday and Saturday in the Bendigo Advertiser, or visit realestateview.com.au
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