John Whiting B.A. (Hons), FFin

Professional Profile

John Whiting is the managing director of Blandfordia Real Estate and has a strong background in sales and marketing. This includes several years of successful residential operations for one of Canberra’s largest agencies (concentrating on the inner south) and as a principal for a national real estate franchise in Canberra as well as past experience in residential and commercial real estate in Queensland.

He has had many years experience in real estate and extensive experience in the financial services area. He has had numerous senior sales and management positions in stockbroking in Sydney and Melbourne. John has a natural affinity with Canberra having graduated from RMC Duntroon and beginning his stockbroking career as a private client adviser with William Noalls in Canberra.

Qualifications: Past and Present

• B.A. (Hons in Economics),  UNSW

• Fellow of Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FFin)

• Graduate of RMC Duntroon retired as Captain RNZCT

• PS 146 ASX Listed Products Accreditation

• Accredited Derivatives Adviser level Two

• Associate of the Securities Institute of Australia

• Affiliate Member of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales

• Affiliate Member of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland

• Practitioner Member (Master Stockbroking) of the Securities and Derivatives Industry Association

• Certificate IV in Real Estate

• Real Estate Agent

Excerpts from Testimonials

This is a rather belated thank you for all you did for us in selling 20 Hicks St, Red Hill. We do want to express our appreciation of the most efficient and professional way you handled the whole process. The marketing of the property was absolutely first rate and your advice – and understanding- was most helpful. Also, the way you kept us up to date with developments throughout could not have been bettered. We really must congratulate Jane on her photography too – we now have a lovely visual momento of our home.

If we are ever in a position of selling real estate again….we would certainly want to enlist your services again and we would be very happy to recommend you to any prospective vendor.

Keith and Rosemary Carter, Red Hill

John Whiting has sold a residence at 19 Scarborough Street, Red Hill, Canberra of which I was the executor. I found him to be exceptional in all respects, approachable, kept me and the solicitor informed and professional at all times. I chose him because he represented a smaller company and hence he was able to devote more time and energy to the sale of the property.

John was most helpful in negotiating the best outcome.  I would have no hesitation to use his services again and unreservedly recommend him in all respects. 

TF, Garran

John exceeded expectations in every aspect and we were very satisfied with everything that John said and did.  5 Stars. We have sold 7 houses and John was by far the best agent that we have had.

R and R C., O’Malley 

Many thanks for your efforts in achieving a satisfactory outcome with the sale of our property. This was not an easy property to market but you maintained your enthusiasm and support through to settlement.

We were particularly impressed with your follow-up after each inspection, we felt fully informed at all times through the sale process and we were equally impressed with your handling of the excellent tenant who had to be inconvenienced by the various inspections.

Thank you John, we liked your gentlemanly and friendly approach and we will certainly engage your professional services in the future.

RW and DL, Red Hill 

Your agency as sole agents for the East O’Malley Woodlands estate, from the start showed a high level of professionalism and provided a high level of communication to the board. In the initial period sales were slow however your agency persevered and continued their consistent marketing and constant presence at the display home.

I would recommend the senior sales staff from your agency, John Whiting and Marcia Delander, who have been working with us over the past 9 months. They both display a high level of integrity, honesty and competency and have used their excellent negotiation skills to bring us many pleasing sales.

TK, East O’Malley 

I would like to pass on my sincere thanks and gratitude to your company and most importantly – John Whiting. Outlined below is a 'good news' story I'd like to share with you because I am so appreciative of the professionalism and service John has provided me.

John was aware I had my letting agent was LJHooker.  I had selected three agencies (LJHooker, Peter Blackshaw and Richard Luton Properties) to conduct the appraisals on my properties.  I put them all under a pretty tough criteria so I could gauge who would be the best agent for me.  After a couple of weeks, it was not hard for me to choose who was the more superior agent and sales person.  From the moment I appointed John, it has run seamlessly.  

Nothing was ever too hard or too bigger challenge for John.  We had some false starts with the Kingston property due to a problematic tenant and John always maintained his composure through these tough and challenging times.  John would always put himself out to personally assist me to ensure the properties looked great. 

Throughout the marketing of my properties, John provided sound advice on what I should do for the two marketing campaigns.  At times, I gave him some challenging questions and proposals, but John always assessed the situation and guided me to perfection.  John always remained optimistic about selling my properties.  At times I was pessimistic, but John always remained 'up beat' and instilled confidence in me.  It was very comforting to have someone feel so secure and positive about what they do.   I have bought and sold a few properties in my time, and I rate John as one of the most professional, good willed people I have dealt with.  He is a credit to your company. 

And last, but certainly not least, John was able to sell my two properties on their first 'open for inspection'.  This is a fantastic effort.  Not only this, he sold one of my properties above the asking price.  These are excellent achievements I feel you should be aware of.  This shows how good a negotiator John is, and how in tune he is to the current market conditions.  He didn't let any buyer get away.  John was always very efficient and proactive in his dealings with me, and I sensed he was with the prospective buyers.  I never had to remind John of anything or ask for any status updates.  They were always provided.  He always had his finger on the pulse.

I will have no hesitation recommending your agency, and especially John, to prospective buyers/sellers Thank you, to you and especially John, for making me so happy with the sale of my properties, in what is usually a very stressful period.

KC, Kingston

I was very impressed particularly with his demeanor, feedback and communication which exceeded expectations. John showed an absolute professional attitude to his business.

MM, Kingston 

I am writing to commend in the highest terms to you one of your sales team, John Whiting.

John managed the sale of my mother's deceased estate house between July and August of this year. From the very first moment I knew I was in the very safe hands of a first class agent and a team of dedicated and professional dealers.

I have had in the past a lot of experience of Real Estate agencies, as vendor, purchaser, landlord and occasionally as tenant through as many as 15 transactions in Sydney, and as far as Gosford between 1973 and 1997, and lately more than 5-6 transactions in Canberra alone since 1990. I have dealt with large firms and small firms, and I have not once dealt with an agent as charming, efficient and professional as John Whiting. Once we had agreed on price and management strategy - I might add that his advice on presentation and estimate of price was spot on - I was safe in his hands. From first showing day until settlement was a mere 35 days. Indeed to remind you, as you know we had an offer within 4 days and it was firm and tied down and settled within 35. There was no fuss, no difficulties, and no harassment of either me or purchaser.

The service was throughout clean, efficient, straightforward and just plain ethical. If and when on the few occasions that I had an idea John had thought of it first and, as I instructed him to, had run with it - always to my benefit. John kept me informed and was always available to me even when he was out of the ACT in his own private time. He never hesitated to help and clarify issues or points of discussion with me. I have rarely met anyone as efficient and as kind as this in any business. I heartily commend your agent to you and think that if you have such a thing as employer/agent of the year or other such designations he must be a most worthy front runner.

When next I need real estate advice or handling I will think first and only of John. And that includes when I am the deceased estate to hand. I have instructed my executors accordingly. I have already recommended him to a number of friends looking into the Canberra market, and will happily continue to so do. I would be happy to elaborate on any of these comments. Once again I commend John Whiting to you in the highest degree.

JD, Kaleen 

Excellent service and John made the sale process very easy for us.

D and P T., Griffith 

I wanted to write and thank you for the fantastic service you provided for my recent purchase in Griffith.

The whole process was made so much easier as you actively kept the momentum flowing to help with my limited time frame.

From the moment I first inspected the unit to exchange of contracts you were so helpful. As I am involved in the Real Estate industry I deal with a great number of agents. Your service was outstanding!

I am sure the vendors were also impressed with your very friendly, prompt and professional approach .I would highly recommend you to anyone looking to buy or sell a property.Once again many thanks.

JB, Griffith

I recently sold my home in Red Hill with your agency acting as my agent.

John Whiting was your representative. I found John to be a very professional, efficient, knowledgeable and reliable man. His approach to the selling of my home was at all times constructive and encouraging, was always available to take my calls and after inspections with prospective clients he would leave a message and then follow up that evening with further detail keeping me informed as to the situation. I found John to have a very pleasant agreeable personality and I wish him well for the future. Should I have the need to buy or sell a property in the future in Canberra my first contact will be your office and request that John Whiting act on my behalf.

LG, Red Hill 

We would like to thank you for selling our two houses. We appreciate the energy and enthusiasm that you put into the advertising and the open houses. You always kept us well informed of the feedback from people who looked at the houses and were always ready to reassure us in times of angst. We are impressed with the fact that with one of the houses you actually achieved a higher price than we asked. Well done and thank you again,
P and J W., Fadden and Gungahlin  

I just wanted to say a huge almighty thank you for everything, you have played a massive part in my past year and in the sale and all your amazing efforts, patience, humour and professionalism were appreciated by myself and my family.   

SY, Crackenback  

We greatly appreciated the professionalism you showed in our dealings. We have sold houses a couple of times now and you fully covered the details which are most important to us.

Initially we were glad to receive your thorough research and the fact that you were willing to listen to our views when setting the price. Your regular communications and latest updates through the whole process helped us to assess our options. As important was the fact that we never felt pressured or ignored. I suppose the proof is in the pudding and you achieved a premium price in a falling market. No one could ask for more.

CM and MF, Dickson     

We are most appreciative of your management of the sale of our property at Red Hill. The outcome was excellent, fully meeting our expectations in what was a diminishing market and was reached through a very amicable and stress-free process.

Your personal attention to our property extended beyond what one usually can expect of an agent and for that we are doubly grateful. We were especially impressed by the marketing brochure which made the property look very attractive. The turnout at the auction exceeded both our expectations and that was no doubt due to the advertising campaign.

We would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending your agency to others contemplating selling their properties.

AS and MC, Red Hill

Thank you for the assistance that you provided in marketing and selling my property in Palmerston.

I have no doubt that you level of support and professionalism assisted me in achieving an excellent price in a difficult sales environment.

Prior to choosing Ray White I contacted other agents whose interest was a quick sale at a reduced price. In saying that, you were able to achieve the price that I wanted within a 4 week period.

BG, Palmerston 

John Whiting of Ray White Real Estate made the whole process of selling our house simple and hassle-free. John put a lot of effort into advertising, editorial, home-opens and follow-up, and he was always professional and punctual.

We were especially pleased with John’s exceptional manner of keeping us regularly informed and being readily contactable, even interstate. We would make no hesitation in using Ray White Gungahlin again or indeed recommending this agency.

E and S S., Gungahlin