Instead, Vivek used the time away from the workforce to study real estate, and he’s now earning much more than ever before, even in a tough marketplace.
“Real estate is fun. I love doing negotiations,” he says.
“I love working for the vendors. I love helping first-time buyers, the upsizers, and especially the downsizers, the older people who were holding big properties and then wanted to downsize. I love helping them all.”
Originally from India, Vivek earned a qualification in hospitality. He studied and worked in his homeland and Britain before he and a friend decided to move to New Zealand for further study – in his case at Manukau Institute of Technology in hospitality.
He subsequently took some hospitality teaching jobs before his redundancy. He chose to make the best use of that time, completing the Real Estate Level 4 course online and getting his licence.
He started as a Barfoot and Thompson agent and hasn’t looked back.
“Everything happens for a reason. As part of a team and as an individual I’ve sold more than 70 properties so far, and my earnings have almost tripled,” Vivek says.
“I bought my first home as well, and I have a lovely family. My wife works for James Hardie and I have a 2 1/2-year-old daughter named Mira. She’s my life; my motivation in life changed after her birth. Whatever I do in my life, it’s just for my daughter.”
Vivek is in no doubt that the vocational training he’s done is vital to his success, and that further training is equally important. “The dynamics of the work and the dynamics in general keep on changing, so you need to upsize your game everywhere,” he says.
“The world is changing, especially with social media and the introduction of AI – I use AI to write my emails because it saves my time. It is very important just to upsize your skills. Every individual should go to some kind of training or some kind of short course.”
Vivek says his family – both immediate and extended – have been a big help, and he’s been particularly glad at the guidance he’s received from managers, friends, and clients.
“I’m always open to feedback. People usually hate constructive feedback but I love it because it helps you to grow.”
Vivek has seen both sides of the real estate market in his three years as an agent – both the boom times and the more recent downturn – but he has managed to keep prospering. He is a big proponent of selling homes by auction to let the market get the best results.
“Moving to New Zealand was the best decision I have made. This country’s people are lovely. New Zealand gave me an opportunity to become a permanent resident and a citizen as well.
“My ultimate aim is to retire in Queenstown. That’s my plan for the next 20 years.”
