Muir House: The story of a Rondebosch grande dame – a Q&A with her special agent
Category Knight Frank News
Some estate agents choose the profession, but in Lyndsay Childs’ case it chose her. It’s not a stretch to say that selling houses was in her blood. She literally learnt the business at her mum’s knee. We asked her a few questions.
Can you give us a bit of background on the property?
This property was built circa 1912 and called Muir House. It was the original Micklefield School building in Rondebosch. The journey from the first asking price to the first offer from the buyers was gradually negotiated with both parties to a successful conclusion.
The detail of the sale negotiation is quite a “classic” real estate story. It’s a lesson on how to eventually achieve a sale by not giving up on a first offer, which was initially rejected by the sellers. A counter offer from the sellers was also not successful... The offer/deal seemed to be hopeless as the figures were too far apart.
The buyers then went on to make offers on two other properties in the area which also did not conclude, bringing them back to this gem as it had captured their hearts but not their pockets.
The entire deal was put together and negotiated by myself and Anne Porter who gave incredible support and advice to the parties involved. I had just stepped off a plane from Johannesburg after the Easter weekend and went straight off to take the offer leaving my husband to Uber home alone! This is the kind of background activity to a sale which the public don’t hear about, and think agents just sign a few pieces of paper and earn huge amounts of money. Not true....This high-end property with a big price tag took time to sell in a tricky market. On this deal we worked hard to price counsel our sellers and eventually over a year later we were successful in selling the grand old dame of Rondebosch. It was an amazing feeling of success.
How long have you been an agent with Knight Frank?
I joined Knight Frank in September 2016 to work in Rondebosch. I owned my own Estate Agency in Blouberg for 12 years (Janelle Letting) where my mother and I were partners. My mother still runs Janelle Letting! She is 77 years old.
What do you love about property and being an agent?
Property has always been in my blood. My mom was a very successful agent for Spargo Properties in the Southern Suburbs back when women like Anne Porter, Pam Golding and Vonnie Spargo were all taking the Residential Property market by storm. So I grew up in a home where selling houses and all that it entails was on my radar. I studied to be a Primary School teacher and taught before I got married. Then the selling bug bit and I bought Janelle from my mother in law who had started the company from scratch. In those days the rental market was wide open in the fast developing suburbs of the West Coast. My mother-in-law retired and so I brought in my own mother with her vast experience of property as my partner. I bowed out of the company to raise my family. When this opportunity arose to join Knight Frank as the Rondebosch agent I jumped at it. We had moved to Rondebosch three years previously for my sons to attend Rondebosch Boys High School so this step back to work was a wonderful opportunity which I embraced with much enthusiasm.
What motivates you?
The chase of the successful deal and the satisfaction of knowing I give my clients the best possible attention through the process. I am a perfectionist so failure is not well received by myself.
What attracted you to Knight Frank?
I was very fortunate to be offered this opportunity, which fell into my lap, to work in the area I live. So this was a big factor for me. I believe it is important to live in Rondebosch particularly if you sell here as it is such a community driven suburb. The contacts you make through the schools are vital to be successful here.
Where were you born and schooled?
I was born in Harare Zimbabwe but raised in Cape Town. I was schooled at Sweet Valley Primary and then Wynberg Girls High School. I then qualified with an HDE in Education at CTTC.
Who is your role model/mentor?
Definitely my mentor has been Anne Porter. She has an unbelievable wealth of knowledge to impart. I learn something new every day from her.
What is your favourite hobby and/or pastime?
I love to take walks in our local park with my husband. Need to keep fit! I love to watch my kids play sport. My family is my everything and for years they came first. Now that I have gone back to work they will argue I “neglect” them (they were very spoilt with me at home) and there is not the usual lovingly home cooked meal on the table every night. But they are very supportive of me and my job. They are all old enough to contribute and they make a good meal these days too.
What surprises most people about you?
I’m not sure, but I guess I am very friendly so maybe that? Not sure all agents are always genuine all the time but I love to assist and give my best to my clients. Through selling I have made many new friends.
Your favourite place to visit in Cape Town?
Newlands Forest walks, Forries, Magica Roma Restaurant, Blouberg Beachfront or Noordhoek beach walk on a wind-free day, Constantia Glen wine farm, Chapmans Peak Hotel for Calamari.
Complete these sentences:
The hardest lesson I have learnt is nothing in this life comes easy, especially money. You have to work very hard for every cent.
If you want to succeed in Real Estate you need to have enormous capacity for attention to detail. Making notes, keeping records and a good administrative system in place. Being friendly, open, honest and going the extra extra and another extra mile will win clients over and result in successful deals.
The best advice I ever got is never give up. Pick yourself up when all seems lost and pointless. Something will happen when you least expect it.
I live by the words EFFORT = REWARD
Author: Knight Frank
