That’s the belief of Head of Property Management Operations at Besser & Co, Sam Hatzistamatis, who brings an analytical approach to property management that’s delivering strong results for the business
“For me, numbers are everything,” Mr Hatzistamatis said.
“And I think even the success piece on the people is around the numbers – not necessarily KPI wise, but it’s numbers about what they’re doing on the day and how they’re feeling.”
Like many in real estate, Mr Hatzistamatis’s journey began with his family ties.
His father was in real estate from Sam’s early years, and his mother later joined the industry.
When his parents decided to start a family business, Sam stepped in to help establish the property management division while still at university.
“I think the drawcard is you get something new every day,” he said.
“We deal in people’s dreams, whether that’s the dream of their financial security, their future, their new home – whatever it is.
“It’s not just a piece of real estate.”
At Besser & Co, Mr Hatzistamatis oversees team operations, strategy, and financials.
His role focuses on ensuring smooth operations while maintaining strong support systems for his team.
“It’s about making sure the team flows, making sure they’re supported, and keeping on top of systems and processes to be the best for both the team and our clients,” he said.
When it comes to recruitment, Mr Hatzistamatis looks for specific traits that align with the company’s values and objectives.
“Enthusiasm is a big one,” he said.
“I want to see they’re enthusiastic for the job itself, not just the paycheck,” he said.
“The other key traits are a can-do attitude and the ability to ask for help when needed.”
Drawing on his analytical background, Mr Hatzistamatis takes a methodical approach to improving business operations.
He said it’s vital to understand every aspect of the business’s financial performance.
“Most property management businesses are huge tanker ships that don’t switch around quickly,” he said.
“It’s about using our analytics to find pain points, where things go wrong, and where the numbers don’t add up – then developing solutions that create better outcomes.”
Mr Hatzistamatis has witnessed significant changes in the property management sector, particularly since COVID-19, with increasing salaries putting pressure on business profitability.
“Using what you’ve got and all the data, and we’ve got so much data as a real estate business, to find financial efficiencies and process improvements is crucial,” he said.
“This allows businesses to return to a healthy financial position while still rewarding staff appropriately.”
For those looking to improve their property management operations, Mr Hatzistamatis knows what businesses need to be doing.
“Understand exactly what your costs are, assess each line item, and don’t be afraid to challenge your normal everyday thinking,” he said.
