Buying property, especially for the first time, can be one of life’s more daunting experiences.
It’s something Melbourne woman Chelsey Quartermain is all too familiar with – and a key factor that has driven her to work with a housing startup.
The 35-year-old took over the reins of Houseandland.com.au a year ago as general manager and was charged with the mission of revamping the site.
Chelsey Quartermain (pictured) has helped relaunch a website that makes it easier for those wanting to enter the property market
She said she wanted to make women feel more comfortable with entering the market for the first time.
‘It’s a massive, massive life decision, and there’s a lot of pressure on making those decisions,’ she told FEMAIL.
‘I think tech is making a lot easier for women by allowing to be able to make more informed decisions at a younger age as well,’ she added.
Under her guidance and astute design-eye, the website now offers buyers a seamless way to connect with land agents, builders and developers.
The newly-revamped website brings buyers, builders and land agents together to make building a home as a simple as possible (stock image)
‘We like to refer to it [the website] as Tinder for the new build industry,’ Ms Quartermain said.
‘Women aged between 24 and 35 tend to be the decision-makers, and I feel it’s important to give them the confidence that there’s a simple solution to help them get exactly what they want.’
‘They don’t have to find a block [of land] and spend hours driving around on the weekend looking at display homes trying to figure out how they can get their end goal.’
The challenges of buying and building a home are some that the general manager of Houseandland knows only too well (stock image)
The home-buying journey is one Ms Quartermain believes should be as uncomplicated as possible.
‘It’s important that we can contribute to people feeling empowered in this process because it’s such an important decision,’ she said.
Ms Quartermain, who has a background in digital marketing, revealed she’s always been passionate about the property industry.
Hailing from Perth, she stepped into the real estate business as an 18-year-old, working as a receptionist for a commercial and residential agent’s while studying graphic design and website development.
Part of Ms Quartermain’s mission is to help more women into the property market (stock image)
Her stint as as receptionist would later turn into an eight year career – one that used her digital skills to create more streamlined services.
During this time Ms Quartermain also married and built her first home – a process she said was made easier by first home buyer grants.
While the pair built their dream home themselves, even utilising her then-husband’s experience as a tradesman, she said the end result didn’t really deliver on what they’d hoped for.
‘I always wished I had been able to ask more questions; I think this is what first time builders face.’
It’s this sort of dilemma faced by those in similar circumstances, that’s driven Ms Quartermain towards finding a better way to help those breaking into the property market.
‘There’s not much that’s disruptive in the new build industry, especially in regard to tech,’ she said. ‘It’s been super exciting.’
While home buying isn’t without its risks, Ms Quartermain believes embracing the challenges makes it all the more rewarding – in the end.
‘Everything I’ve achieved, and hope to keep achieving, is due to taking risks and making hard decisions for the sake of keeping true to myself and the life that I want.
‘I try my best to not let anything hold me back and learn from challenges, rather than let it stop me,’ she concluded.