Not only did John Flood Estate Agents win the Real Estate Agency – Small crown for the second consecutive year at the 2017 Real Estate Institute

of New South Wales (REINSW) Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, but the Muswellbrook principal himself was recently appointed to the REINSW board.

Leanne Pilkington steps into the president’s role, replacing the outgoing John Cunningham, with Mr Warburton named as a new director on the 12-member executive.

“It’s a bit of an honour,” he admitted.

“The REINSW board needed some country blood.

“A couple of people suggested I put my hand up – and my partner Sarah Lorden, who served two terms on it, encouraged me, too.

“The REINSW has done a good job over the past 10 years, working hard to improve a number of aspects in the industry.

“But, we need to tweak a few things for the rural areas.

“I’ll try to be a voice for regional agents and ensure the policies make sense to everyone, not just those in the metro district.”

REINSW CEO Tim McKibbin paid tribute to Mr Cunningham’s two-year term as president.

“John has been the driving force in regard to professionalism and will carry on his work through the newly-created role at REIA,” he said.

“The profile of REINSW has grown and prospered under his leadership and we find ourselves in an incredibility strong position.”

Meanwhile, Mr Warburton was equally proud of his agency’s back-to-back victory at the awards, which highlight the professional standards that the real estate industry is striving for.

“It’s a real achievement for John Flood Estate Agents,” he said.

“The property market’s been hard of late.

“In fact, I think it has [been] the toughest time in the past 21 years.

“But, the tide is turning.

“There is a lot more confidence in the economy at the moment.

“We’ve also had a number of positive announcements recently [in the town].

“And, that flows through into the property market.”