Turning Houses Into Homes Across The Burdekin

Kelly Greaves didn’t plan to be a property manager. In fact, when she took a three-day-a-week back-up role at Ray White 17 years ago, she was expecting something more laidback and predictable. Three weeks later, the property manager quit, and Kelly was full-time, front and centre, with no real estate experience.

"The three-day-a-week job that I was supposed to have suddenly turned full throttle," she says.

What she did have was experience leading people. Years as a local publican had taught her how to manage staff, juggle competing priorities, and stay calm when pressure mounted.
"I've always been in managerial type positions... it's the same wherever you go, really. Just different scenarios," she says.

Her real estate ethos stems from a sense of empathy, shaped by her own disappointing experiences with other agents as an investment owner herself. “I’ve used that philosophy the whole time I’ve been in this job—As an owner myself, what would I want? How would I want my property looked after?”

That approach would propel her to her current role as a senior property manager at Raine & Horne Ayr—a role she's excelled in for the last nine years. She oversees staff, commercial portfolios, new business, and every corner of her department. “I keep my finger in every pie,” she laughs.

Kelly’s success, though, is built on more than just experience. She prides herself on genuinely listening to her clients, taking the time to understand the specific needs of every landlord and tenant, commercial or residential. These efforts were rewarded in 2021, when she was a Top 10 Finalist for the REB Property Manager of the Year award.

Before all her success in the industry, Kelly moved to the Burdekin from St Lawrence more than 20 years ago for work purposes. Staying, however, was her choice. "I like it here. It's got everything you need without the hustle and bustle of the larger places," she says.

Outside of work, Kelly is known as the "horse whisperer." Alongside her love for all things equine, she tends a thriving garden—her daughter jokingly calls her “plant obsessed”—and enjoys quiet moments reading or spending time with family.

Asked to describe herself in three words, she chose “bossy, goal orientated, and detail driven"—traits that have allowed her to flourish in her professional role.

"I thrive under stress. The more fast-paced and stressful it is, the better I am," she said. "I love my job... and I love finding people their new home. I wouldn't have been doing it for so long if I didn't."

"I'll be here until they carry me out!" she laughs.

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Kelly prides herself on genuinely listening to her clients, taking the time to understand the specific needs of every landlord and tenant, commercial or residential. Photo credit: Jacob Casha