Hey guys! Are we really at the end of another week already? Today, I want to dive into a situation I had recently that might be super relevant to you, especially if you’re dealing with property investments or renovations. Let’s talk about why you should never make assumptions in the property world and how crucial having the right property surveyor is to your success.
What Happens When You Make Assumptions?
Earlier this week, I had a frustrating experience while working on a strata/commercial deal in Perth. As part of my feasibility study, I needed some figures and a rough timeline from a property surveyor—just a basic ballpark for costs and timeframes, you know? Most professionals in the industry are more than happy to assist in these circumstances, knowing that if the deal moves forward, they’ll likely get the business.
But this time, things didn’t go as smoothly. I reached out to a junior property surveyor at a firm we had worked with before, asking for an email with the details I needed. I assumed everything was fine—until ten days later when I received an aggressive email from the owner of the business.
The gist of it? He wasn’t willing to provide “all of this work” because, in his mind, I didn’t have a contract on the property yet and likely wouldn’t proceed with the deal. He further berated me for “having a chip on my shoulder for being a woman” in short, he assumed I wasn’t worth his time. His tone was rude, dismissive, and full of assumptions about me and my ability to close the deal.
Assumptions are just Bad for Business
Here’s the thing: making assumptions about someone’s seriousness or capability in property deals can lead to major missed opportunities. In my case, this particular property surveyor seemed to assume that, as a woman, I was unlikely to push forward with the deal, and that’s where he got it so wrong. I was left waiting for 10 days, wasting valuable time that could have been used to move the deal forward.
Had he simply picked up the phone and communicated like a professional, we could have avoided this unnecessary drama.
Lessons Learned: Never Assume Ownership Means Commitment
Besides the blatant misogyny, what really irritated me was his assumption that ownership of the property is the only indicator of whether a deal will go ahead. I’ve closed most of my deals without ever owning the property, using creative strategies like vendor financing or lease options. Just because I don’t “own” a property in the traditional sense doesn’t mean I’m not serious or ready to proceed.
This attitude isn’t just problematic in terms of communication—it shows a complete lack of understanding of modern property investment strategies. Successful property professionals know that flexibility and creativity are key to making deals happen.
When you find the Right Person (or Property Surveyor in my case)
Suffice to say they are a firm I will never use again. Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there. Within half an hour of receiving that email, I found an amazing property surveyor—one who not only gave me the information I needed but even called me to discuss it on a Sunday! That’s the level of service I expect and respect.
For any of you looking to move forward with your property investments, having the right team around you is critical. A property surveyor who understands your goals, timelines, and strategies is worth their weight in gold. Don’t just hire anyone—make sure they see the bigger picture and are aligned with your approach.
How to Choose a Property Surveyor
When selecting a property surveyor, here are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Experience in your type of property deal – Whether it’s commercial, strata, or residential, make sure your surveyor has relevant experience.
- Communication – If they’re not responsive or seem uninterested, they’re not the right fit. As in my case, a simple phone call could have saved a lot of time and stress.
- Creativity and Flexibility – You need someone who can think outside the box, especially if you’re working with creative financing or other non-traditional approaches.
- Professionalism – It goes without saying that respect and a willingness to work together should be non-negotiable.
Don’t Let Assumptions Derail Your Success
To all the women out there, and anyone else who has ever been on the receiving end of assumptions that were way off base—you’re not alone. This industry can sometimes feel like an uphill battle against misogyny and old school thinking, but remember: we’re making progress, and every time we push back on things that are just not ok, we’re making space for the next generation of property investors.
I want to hear from you—have you ever had someone make assumptions about you or your work in the property world? Did it hurt a deal, or did you manage to turn it around like I did? Let’s connect and let me know!
And if you’re feeling comfortable right now, it’s time to get off that comfy couch and take some action! The only way to move forward is to keep pushing, keep learning, and keep proving them wrong. Let’s keep making waves in this industry!
