My Neighbourhood with Tom Kurtschenko
Teleisha Thomas
November 2024
Tom Kurtschenko, Director at Jellis Craig North East and a father of two, has witnessed significant changes in the Eltham and Greensborough property markets over the years. We sat down with Tom to discuss his career journey, market trends, and why he loves living and working in Melbourne’s leafy east.
What initially drew you to real estate, what do you love about it and how has your career evolved over time?
Fresh out of university with a business degree, I wasn’t entirely sure which industry I wanted to pursue. I thought real estate would be a great way to meet people from various walks of life while figuring out my career path. To my surprise, I quickly fell in love with the challenges of the role and the opportunity to connect with diverse and exciting individuals. I started as a personal assistant, then progressed to a standalone sales agent. Eventually, I built a team and was given the opportunity to become a Director of our Eltham and Greensborough offices.
After living and working in Ivanhoe and Eltham, what changes have you seen in the property market over recent years?
I was fortunate to grow up in Eltham, and now, almost 40 years later, most of my work is centered around the area. I've witnessed significant changes during this time. Eltham has always offered great facilities, including sporting clubs, numerous schooling options, and plenty of open green spaces. Over the last 20 years, a noticeable trend has been the influx of younger families, seeking spacious environments to raise their children. Additionally, I've observed a shift from a primarily private sale market to one that features a lot more auction activity.
How do you approach building rapport and trust with both buyers and sellers in today’s market?
The key to building rapport with new people quickly is to be authentic. Always stay true to what you believe and work with that framework in mind. People want to know you have their best interests at heart.
It’s human nature to gravitate towards others who feel confident in their abilities, and I’m fortunate to have worked in the local area for so long, to have a long list of loyal clients who refer me business. People naturally tend to trust those agents that have been recommended to them, and it’s always nice to do business in this way.
Talk to us about the local area and why it makes such a great location for young families like your own?
The sense of community in and around Eltham is something that I appreciate more now, having two little girls of my own. I appreciate the importance of the local parks, quality schools and overall smart infrastructure. Many of the homes in our area are on larger land holdings of 800 to 1000 m2 which provides backyard space for families to enjoy.
What are some key property trends you are currently noticing in Eltham? What are buyers currently looking for in their homes?
Families are generally chasing four bedrooms with multiple living zones; the formal dining room has been out seated by the need for another rumpus room. Buyers are looking for floorplan cohesion, which includes bedrooms separated from living zones. Single level floorplans are also preferred and appealing outdoor entertaining space/garden aspect is also hugely important to those wanting to settle for the long term. Renovated kitchens and bathrooms are always popular as people are generally time poor and prefer to buy already completed homes.
We are lucky to have so many architecturally designed homes in the area from the mid-century including architects such as Alastair Knox, Fasham Johnson and Merchant Builders, with these homes always proving popular in the market.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in real estate. Are you seeing an increased demand for energy-efficient homes or eco-friendly features among buyers?
Eltham has always had an environmentally friendly core, but sustainability has certainly become a trend more buyers are engaging
with. Passive design principles are starting to emerge as real options in the market, and buyers are willing to pay a little bit more for the
opportunity to own an energy-efficient home.
Tell us about your most memorable sale.
One of my most memorable sales would have to be 37 Lavender Park Road in Eltham South. I’m a big believer in the benefits of an auction campaign and this was a standout case where we were able to secure multiple bidders with emotional attachment. The final result exceeded all expectations. The vendors we ecstatic, and the new
owners were so happy to have secured their next family home. These are the moments when I feel the most fulfilled in my job.
When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time? Are there any local spots you enjoy that you’d recommend to others in the area?
To be honest, outside of working 6 days a week, there is little time for much else! My wife, Talia and I, really value our time as a family and try to take the girls out as much as we can by exploring walking trails and cafés. You can’t go past the Eltham trains on a Sunday morning, it’s such a lovely activity to do as a family and we enjoy supporting the local community nature of this establishment.
A rare opportunity, not to be missed!
10 Eva Street, Research is on the market with Jellis Craig North East. Contact Tom Kurtschenko to learn more.
Whether you are thinking of the next move or just want to consider your options, a property appraisal is the first step towards your future. Request an appraisal from Tom Kurtschenko today.
