After eight years with Momentum Wealth, Sebastien How still finds himself learning something new from the people he meets.
As a Residential Property Management Advisor, Sebastien works closely with investors to understand where they are in their journey, what they hope to achieve and how property management can support those bigger goals.
“All these clients are on a journey of their own,” he says. “I am just privileged to be a part of that journey in a very honest, genuine and sincere way.”
Starting out in property management, Sebastien was initially drawn to Momentum Wealth by the opportunity for career progression, as his current role takes a more strategic approach to property management.
Sebastian helps investors onboard their properties into the property management space, looking at how they might be able to make small improvements to maximise their yields, attract quality tenants, and plan out a maintenance schedule to ensure the property is always compliant.
He saw the role as a chance to deepen his understanding of property investment and learn how to become a better advisor to the investors he worked with.
“I like that old saying that you don’t know what you don’t know,” Sebastien says. “I like learning what people do and don’t know and just helping to fill in the gaps for them.”
On any given day, that could mean meeting an investor who needs help leasing their property, discussing ways to maximise rental potential, or helping someone who has had a difficult experience self-managing or with another property management company.
Whatever brings someone through the door, Sebastien’s starting point is the same: listen first.
“Everyone goes through different ways of getting to where they were, where they were hoping to be and where they currently find themselves,” he says.
It’s an approach that suits Sebastien’s naturally thoughtful personality. He describes himself as an introvert but says his desire to help people is what pushes him outside his comfort zone.
“I’m an introverted person by nature but I’m driven by this desire to help,” he says.
Over the years, those client relationships have also become an unexpected source of inspiration.
Sebastien is also on his own property investment journey and has been able to apply the knowledge gained through Momentum Wealth to his own life. But some of his biggest lessons have come simply from being curious about the people around him.
“I really like meeting people who have experienced some tremendous successes, and I’m not shy to ask how they do it,” he says. “You learn from the best.”
For Sebastien, the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues as well as the investors he works with is one of the things he values most.
As those relationships develop, he is also conscious of the important role property managers can play over the longer term. Other property services may only be needed at particular points in an investor’s journey, but the relationship with a property manager can continue through changing markets, changing circumstances and different stages of life.
“I’ve got an important role to try to make sure that I can advise in such a way that can help alleviate some of that stress, so they’re not constantly worried and thinking about it,” he says.
For Sebastien, changing markets are also an opportunity to learn, adapt and build resilience.
“If you see everything as a negative all the time, you’re limiting your potential growth. If you see changes in the marketplace as opportunities, then I think that can give you a good grounding.”
That mindset carries through to one of Sebastien’s biggest passions outside of work: sport.
A keen basketball fan and Fremantle Dockers supporter, Sebastien draws inspiration from athletes including Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. It isn’t simply their success that appeals to him, but what it took to get there.
“I like the whole story of fighting through adversity to triumph,” he says. “I like seeing driven people.”
His interest in sport has even developed into a side hustle, trading sports memorabilia and collectibles. He even has a YouTube channel where he shares his passion. For someone who describes himself as an introvert, it’s ultimately his connection with people that keeps him moving forward.
