Real estate duo shares decades of memorable stories
How did the family real estate journey begin?
Barry: It all started in 1968, I was 21 years old, no experience but absolute determination to succeed. My wife Jan and I opened our doors with nothing but a typewriter, a phone, and a big belief in the power of community. We didn’t have much, but we had heart and that was enough to build the foundation of everything we have today.
Kate: And the amazing part is that legacy still guides us. I grew up watching my parents both work with passion and integrity, and I’m proud to continue it.
What’s one of the most memorable or unusual real estate stories you’ve experienced?
Barry: There was a NAB branch at Kellyville, that had one teller. The bank manager on a Friday afternoon would phone me and say to me, “I’m going away for the weekend. I’ll take the money, can you take the pistol and the bag and bring them down to the Baulkham Hills branch on Monday.” Can’t do that today!
Another time a woman walked in to buy a property, said she was a professional school teacher, I said to her “I need a letter from your husband or your father.” She said “my father’s overseas, and I’m not married.” I said to her “under the law, I can’t sell you property.” The time a client insisted their goat “inspect” the property before making a decision. The goat approved and they bought the house!
Kate: I had keen buyers that wanted to view a newly built home, but there was no power on yet and the only time they could inspect was in the evening. I showed them around the property with a torch and they bought it site unseen!
I had a couple who wanted to see if their future neighbours were friendly… so they knocked on every door on the street before even placing an offer. They ended up hosting a street barbecue the week after they moved in.
What’s been the biggest change in real estate since 1968?
Barry: Everything! Back then, contracts were typed manually and listings were displayed on paper in the window and advertising was black and white. Now everything is instant and online. But the core of real estate, helping people make one of the most important decisions of their lives, hasn’t changed at all.
Kate: And people still love a good chat. Even with all the tech, listening and relationships still matter most. “People don’t always remember what you say or do, but they will always remember the way you make them feel and treated them.”
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you both?
Barry: Two things, I’ve been married for 55 years to the same woman. I still remember every address I’ve ever sold. Don’t ask me where I left my keys—but I can tell you where the buyer was standing, what they were wearing and where they came from.
Kate: I was watching my father doing an auction when I was 7 years of age, with a large crowd of Maltese and Italian market gardeners vying for the land. He commenced the auction, digging a shovel into the soil and as he held it up calling “What am I bid for this big chunk of dirt?” It was right then and there, that I made the decision I wanted to do auctioneering!
Do you have a favourite “feel – good” story from your years in the industry?
Barry: One Thursday afternoon I was talking to my wife, Jan about a property I had on the corner of Garfield Road and Windsor Road and could not get a buyer, tried everything.
A car pulled up outside the office, I noticed two nuns and a Catholic priest get out of the car. They said they had been told to come to buy a property today for a nunnery, they needed lots of bedrooms, full brick and private. Open on my desk was this property I could not sell, and it was exactly the property they described they wanted. I said “I’ll take you out there, but the owners German and doesn’t understand English real well”, the head nun said “I speak, German fluently” I took them out to the property, walked them through the house, and they said “we’ll take it” and it was a match made in heaven. I said to my wife, Jan, I can’t believe this is happening. I spoke to the mayor of Blacktown, who I went to school with, and I said to him just approve it so we are all blessed.
Kate: Having the opportunity to resell the Nun’s property 40 years later and helping them relocate with such a strong family connection was an honour. Like many families that we have sold second generation, and now even third-generation, having people say how grateful they are, that your father sold them a property that set their family up for life.
Barry, what’s it like working with Kate?
Barry: It’s one of my greatest joys. Seeing her continue what your mother and I started is incredibly special. She brings energy, innovation and care to every day.
Kate: And having Dad’s wisdom is priceless. He has this calm certainty that only comes from decades of knowledge and experience helping people.
What’s your shared vision for the future of your family real estate business?
Barry: To keep serving the community with honesty and care, just as we always have.
Kate: And to keep adapting, innovating and growing, without ever losing the heart that started it all in 1968.
If you want the same service that has proven results for the last 57 years call Kate Lumby on 0414 620 222.
