METROPOL - Real estate is in the blood of residential property specialist Pip Sutton. She’s the fourth generation of the Sutton family to work in real estate in Christchurch and it’s surrounds. Pip’s great-grandfather, Frederick Sutton, was a land agent in Lyttelton early last century. He was also Mayor of Lyttelton for 15 years and a member of the Lyttelton Harbour Board for 27 years. Her grandfather, F.l. Sutton, worked for Simes and later in his own real estate business in Lyttelton.

In the early 1970s, Pip’s father, Dave, joined Peter Cook in ownership of Simes and is still heavily involved today. “So, I’ve got real estate in my blood - I learned by osmosis,” says Pip. “I’ve been doing this since I was 18 months old, with Dad taking me out to visit clients.” She watched and learned as her father negotiated residential and commercial sales.  When old enough, Pip worked at Simes during holidays, helping on reception, in accounts, and preparing marketing material. Pip graduated from Lincoln University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Commerce and Management, with a Major in Marketing.

“My father is still heavily involved in my training. In real estate, you can never assume you know everything, I’m lucky I’ve got dad’s 37 years of experience to draw from,” she says. “I’m constantly talking to him, checking that everything I do is correct. He keeps me on the path of truth, honesty, integrity and knowledge. One of the healthy aspects of our working together is that it’s the meeting of the old and new - we’re constantly challenging each other. I bring in new ideas, while Dad brings in incredible experience. Living and working with people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds has given me a strong ability to understand and empathise with people and their situation,” she says.

After graduating, Pip felt the need to go out and succeed on her own and worked for several multi-national companies both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In her first position, she gained three promotions within 15 months, basing her in Christchurch, Wellington and Nelson. In 2005, after living in the UK and Auckland, Pip returned to Christchurch and joined Simes.

Aged in her early 30s, Pip sees herself as one of a new generation -- a trendsetter selling for an emerging generation of homebuyers and sellers. At present, Pip is marketing for several major builders. She is also working with Natural Element Homes, who specialise in sustainable living with passive solar and energy-effective technology.
‘This is a very next-generation product and I am very excited to be involved with this,” she says. Pip is also quick to point out that she has a real passion for marketing the traditional homes around Christchurch, and helping people work their way into the future.

With her energy, experience and real estate blood, it is no wonder that Pip Sutton’s clients come back and recommend her to others.