Smart & McKenzie Real Estate

The company was founded by Neville Smart and Barry Heron when it commenced business in Manly in 1958. Realising future potential with the start of development beyond the old areas of Forestville, Smart & Heron opened a branch office in 1960 in the Forestville Shopping Centre in Darley Street, Forestville. The new Arndale Shopping Centre (now called Forestway Shopping Centre) was opened in Frenchs Forest in 1964 and the branch office moved there because of bigger premises and its proximity to the new subdivision of land taking place in Frenchs Forest, Belrose and Davidson. A year later, the Manly office was closed with the Company deciding to concentrate on the expanding Forest area. The business has always been family orientated, employing many family members over the years. In 1981, Susanne McKenzie, Neville Smart’s daughter, joined the firm with her husband, Ian McKenzie, who became partners with the retirement of Barry & Judy Heron that year. The Company became known as Smart, Heron & McKenzie. In October 1983, the Company joined the First National Marketing Group which has grown to become Australia’s leading Real Estate Network. 1986 saw the retirement of Neville & Nyorie Smart and the company being purchased by Ian & Susanne McKenzie. Another name change occurred in April 1988, when it became known as Smart & McKenzie. With the fifth compulsory shift within the Forestway Shopping Centre in 1993, the company decided to move into temporary premises in Sorlie Road, while searching for a permanent location. September 1996 saw Smart & McKenzie move into its new premises in Russell Avenue with room to expand well into the next century. In December 2004, Nadene McKenzie, Ian & Susanne’s eldest daughter, joined the Company in the Property Management Team. Nadene is the start of the third generation to work in the family business. In 2008, Nadene moved to Sales Support to learn the selling side of the business and to obtain her Real Estate license. Hayley McKenzie the youngest daughter started working part-time as a receptionist in 2006. In 2009, Hayley permanently joined the family business as a receptionist, and then moved into Sales to support the busy sales team. 2009 also saw Smart & McKenzie achieving a distinction of being in the top 10 First National Offices in New South Wales. On the 30th July 2010, Smart & McKenzie left the First National Marketing Group and became an independent agency to have more control and flexibility and to continue being the leading agency in the Forest. In March 2011 Kathy Clunne, the Senior Property Manager, retired after 17 years of loyal service. With this Nadene moved back into Property Management to run the successful department. Data from Third Party Property group showed in 2011 Smart & McKenzie was the Forest Areas leading Real Estate Agency. The Company today is still working hard to expand its business and continue on with its success based on its wonderful staff. The qualified staff know the value of continued training and the importance of communication to ensure client/customer needs are met so we are recommended to others. Our reputation for providing honest, reliable, first class professional service is guaranteed. “What we do, we enjoy doing well”