THE world of real estate had better be ready for the tenacious twosome of Durban-based Mervin Donnelly and Stacy Fernandez.

These amiable property practitioners are determined to make their mark quickly after recently having become equal partners in a light franchise with the Dormehl Phalane Group (DPG).

Both may be fledglings in the Dormehl Phalane nest, but they have made no bones about the fact that they want to quickly take wing and soar to new heights! Their aim is to establish a full franchise with the fast-growing property company as soon as possible.

The dynamic duo joined the DPG family at the beginning of May, after admirable success in KwaZulu-Natal with another national property franchise.

"We are passionate about property and ready to fly," says Pietermaritzburg-born Mervin, with Durban-born Stacy nodding in agreement - and they should be taken seriously, as over the years each has excelled at things about which they have been passionate.

Mervin and Stacy are no strangers to prizes, he having had great success with freestyle and other dancing, as well as with his talents as a versatile, professional snooker player with successes in China and Europe. Mum of three, Stacy, won competitions for modelling some years ago.

Both have also already reaped rewards as property practitioners. Mervin, who has been in real estate since December 1, 2019, was placed among the top five KwaZulu-Natal agents for 2021 at his previous franchise. Stacy, who worked for almost nine years at the same franchise as Mervin, has had credit for achieving that franchise's highest average commissions for KZN, and also earned praise for having achieved that franchise's highest amount of sales in the region.

Mervin adds that he was among his previous company's top performers almost every month for residential and commercial sales in 2021, as well as earlier this year, before he and Stacy resigned to join the Dormehl Phalane Group.

For DPG, Mervin and Stacy are Durban North-based but operating throughout the city on commercial and residential sales and rentals.

Mervin had no hesitancy joining the DPG team, headed by Owen Dormehl and David Phalane: "The style and management of the group was aligned with my core values and business ethics, so it was a no-brainer to join this dynamic company.

"Owen is a great leader, a person I can learn from in the real estate industry, and his approach and style made me want to be part of this brand," he explains.

Asked what other jobs he may have done or considered, Mervin says he worked as a casino manager before he was bitten by the property bug, and he admits that he has long dreamed of becoming a choreographer. No surprise, when you learn that he was a self-taught street and hip-hop dancer who won a prestigious freestyle-dance championship in Pretoria some years ago, and went on to perform at several festivals.

"I love dancing, and in the past six or seven years I have taken more formal lessons in partner dancing," he adds, pointing out that he is adept in such styles as salsa, bachata and kizomba.

And as for his cue sport prowess, boy is Mervin on the ball. He has played snooker since the age of nine and to this day is still representing South Africa in cue sports.

"I was the 2013 South African Blackball Champion. I played Blackball pool and Chinese 8-ball pool, now known as Heyball, for South Africa at world championships and African championships. I was also the Heyball South African and African Championships team winner."

Mervin has played in numerous professional tournaments in China (Heyball) and Europe (Blackball) - and if you want a glimpse of his impressive talent, simply look for him on YouTube.

Asked to describe himself in a few words, Mervin says: "I am very strong-minded and determined to achieve and succeed. I'm positive and believe there is nothing in life I cannot achieve."

"Honesty, transparency and communication" is his motto when it comes to real estate, and he believes business integrity is a prerequisite for his job. Absolute no-nos for a property practitioner, he adds, are "dishonesty, not complying and taking short cuts".

His big goal? "To go from being a newbie to top agent in my branch within a year - and Top Five in KwaZulu-Natal".

"Property, like life, is what you make of it. The economy will change, we have no control of that, but we have to be innovative, have the right attitude and stay positive. Interest rates still favour business. The negative economy favours business. It all depends on how you see things: "glass half-empty or half-full."

Stacy, who describes herself as "enthusiastic, determined, honest, consistent and passionate", lives in Sparks Estate with her children Brady and Zoe. Her eldest daughter, Donne, is in Johannesburg with Stacy's grandchild, Rhema.

"I have been through traumatic experiences and, by the grace of God, we have survived. My kids are my life and being a single mom with a career is tough, but I give thanks that God has blessed us," she says, emphasising that her strong faith has played an important role in her success with property.

"I prayed with a spiritual mom, who told me my calling was real estate. She saw me selling lots of properties," Stacy adds, pointing out that when she got into the real estate business, she listed and sold her first property during her first week of training. She says she knew then that property was her calling.

Before that, Stacy had always been in sales - with insurance, direct channel marketing and Highway Hospice.

"When I was a kid I always dreamt of owning my own business," Stacy says, so her fate was sealed when Mervin approached her with the offer of a joint light franchise with DPG. "It was such a blessing. It's a fantastic brand to work for."

What does Stacy feel makes good agents? She replies: "They should go above and beyond for the best customer service experience, and know to not be afraid of complaints or ignore customer feedback. Also, one should not treat customers as transactions."

Stacy hopes her preferred motto in the world of property will be prophetic for her and Mervin: "Everything I touch turns to sold!"

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