Meet the Team: Jess Donovan

The Power Behind the Process: Meet Jess Donovan

Jess is a Property Partner with The Agency CQ, known for her organisation, hands-on support and commitment to delivering a smooth experience for every client.

Working closely with Todd Brandon, Jess steps in to prepare homes for market and guides sellers through the early stages of the sales process. Her goal is simple: “Make sure every property is perfectly positioned for success.”

From Property Manager to Property Partner

Jess has spent most of her career in real estate, starting in the industry at just 19 years old and building her experience in property management for several years in Brisbane as well as Rockhampton before transitioning to a sales-focused role in 2017.

Having grown up in the area, Jess knows the Rockhampton property market and community extremely well.

“I’ve never had a reason to walk away from real estate,” she explains. “I genuinely enjoy helping people through the process and getting to know them, even if it means my kids get frustrated because I am always stopping to chat with someone when we are out and about!”

A unique edge for property sale success

Very few agencies have dedicated property partners, with many relying on the selling agent to handle every detail required for a sale campaign on their own.

Jess steps in as a ‘secret weapon, during the pre-sale stage, working directly with sellers to prepare their property for the market.

Homeowners often don’t realise just how much needs to be done between deciding to sell and closing the deal, but Jess acts as the coordinator, handling everything from preparing documentation to booking tradies and styling the home so it looks impeccable.

“I work with the sellers from the moment we’re invited into their home,” Jess explains. “And help take care of every step to get the house ready for sale.”

Having this structure allows the Agency CQ team to divide their expertise. While Jess manages the preparation and coordination, Todd focuses on strategy, negotiations and securing the best outcome for the client, and Callum[1]  engages with buyers.

For sellers, that means having multiple experts supporting them at once.

“You’re not just working with one agent. You’re working with a whole team that’s focused on making the process as smooth and successful as possible,” Jess says.

A passionate property professional

For Jess, the most rewarding part of real estate is helping people navigate what can often be a stressful and emotional process.

“We’re not cookie-cutter,” she says. “Every client comes with different needs, timeframes and goals. We spend the time working out what success looks like for them and build the plan around that.”

Jess also values the supportive environment within The Agency CQ and the strong relationships she has built with clients over time. “The care factor is huge for me,” she says. “It’s about making sure clients feel looked after from the very first phone call.”

“Jess made the whole experience stress-free. She handled everything and kept us informed every step of the way.”[2]  - Rockhampton home seller

One recent sale stands out as a great example of how Jess supports every client through the selling process.

A homeowner contacted the team after purchasing another property and realising she needed help preparing her existing home for sale. Unsure where to start, she handed Jess the keys and asked for guidance.

Within a week, Jess had assessed the property, organised quotes for recommended improvements and coordinated everything needed to prepare the home for market.

“She didn’t know which way to turn,” Jess recalls. “So I put together a full list of what needed to be done and organised the quotes and trades for her.”

The property was eventually staged and listed at around $750,000. It ultimately sold for approximately $765,000, well above the owner’s expectations.

More importantly, the client felt supported throughout the entire process.

“She later told me there was no way she could have managed it on her own at that time in her life,” Jess says. “Knowing we helped take that pressure off her is something I’m really proud of.”

Ready to help with your next move

Whether you are preparing to sell, exploring your options or simply looking for advice about the market, Jess is always happy to step in.

If you would like to learn more about selling your property, Jess and The Agency CQ team would love to hear from you.