My Account
The link between nursing and real estate may not be immediately obvious, but recently accredited real estate professional Pip Foote begs to differ.
“Both professions are about helping people,” she says. “Buying and selling property can be very stressful, so building a rapport quickly with strangers is very important and that’s something I learnt to do as a nurse.”
Pip has been a registered nurse for 27 years, working in a range of fields from paediatrics, obstetrics and Well Women’s health to tutoring at Massey University.
She also had the rare privilege of nursing at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle for eight months, while she and husband Kelvin were on their OE.
While binding confidentiality agreements still restrict what Pip can reveal about this experience, she can say she had to brush-up on her curtsies and was given a lesson in royal etiquette. She became familiar with the royals, including Lady Diana and Sarah Ferguson, and was greeted by the Queen on a first name basis.
“NZ nurses are well-regarded by the royal family. It was a real privilege to get such a behind-the-scenes look at how the palace works.”
Born and raised on a sheep and beef farm in the Hawkes Bay, Pip and Kelvin moved to Warkworth 12 years ago to pursue a farming opportunity here. Their three teenaged children attend Mahurangi College, where they are involved in rugby, basketball, netball and hockey.
“We love it up here. It is such a friendly and welcoming community.”
Pip explains her decision to go into real estate as a ‘personal challenge’.
“I was looking for a chance to use my skills in a new direction and I joined Harcourts because they have a very supportive training programme. The legalities of selling property, as well as the marketing side of the business, are all new to me and I am loving the challenge. My intention is to create clients for life. I want the people I deal with to know I am someone they can rely on to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.”
