Sonya brings a unique blend of experience and passion to her role as a Rooming House Operator. With a strong background in wellness coaching, she has honed her skills in building rapport, understanding individual needs, and providing tailored support. This client-centric approach translates seamlessly into her property management career.
Sonya’s keen interest in property management, combined with her natural ability to connect with people, has led her to this exciting new chapter. She understands that trust is the foundation of any successful landlord-tenant relationship. By fostering open communication and addressing concerns promptly, Sonya ensures a harmonious living environment for all.
Her ability to manage rooming houses and co-living properties across Melbourne demonstrates her expertise in navigating the complexities of property management. Sonya’s dedication to providing exceptional service and her commitment to creating positive living experiences make her a valuable asset to our team and our clients.
Meet Michelle, our new Rooming House Property Manager! With over 25 years of corporate travel and business operations experience and having held a series of senior positions such as State Manager and National Project Manager, Michelle brings her clients a focused approach to optimising financial outcomes through business efficacy and a clear vision.
This is further supported by Michelle’s specialisation in the Lean Six Sigma methodology, allowing her to provide optimal outcomes to her clients by maximising process and business efficiency.
In 2020, Michelle transitioned to property management. She quickly rose through the ranks with her deep operational management and expertise in process optimisation. By 2023, she became part of the senior short-stay management team in her previous agency, which oversaw more than 80 short-stay properties across Melbourne CBD and surrounding areas.
With Michelle’s extensive experience and commitment to excellence, clients can expect nothing short of top-tier professionalism and outstanding property management services through exceptional processes and efficient management.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys arts and crafts, particularly painting, and values spending quality time with family and friends, often indulging in shopping trips.
Oscar Castaneda is a Rooming House/Property Manager with The Hopkins Group.
Joining in November 2020, Oscar manages a portfolio of residential properties across a range of building classes. He is one of the main points of contact for prospective and current renters.
On a daily basis, Oscar is in charge of a broad range of activities to ensure the successful management of our clients’ investment properties including carrying out opens for inspections, signing agreements in line with the Residential Tenancies Act, scheduling maintenances when required, and ensuring that the applicants are a good match for the properties under his care.
Beginning his career in real estate back in 2017, as a property manager of short-term rentals, Oscar has developed his skills as a property manager, priding himself on delivering a high level of service to ensure client satisfaction. ‘I always try to put myself in the shoes of my clients. Therefore, every decision I make is thinking of the best interest of them and the company I am working for.’
Oscar is an active man, who enjoys many outdoor activities, such as Underwater Rugby. He also strongly values family time and loves spending time with his wife and six-year-old daughter.
Not only is Oscar qualified with an Agents Representative Certificate, he has also completed a Master’s Degree in Project Management.
Steve Boyd is the Head of Specialised Property Investment with The Hopkins Group and works with clients to help reach their financial goals through strategic, alternative and niche property investment solutions.
Following years of being an active and passionate property investor himself since 2004, entering the property industry professionally was a logical next step. In 2017, Steve achieved his goal, stepping into a property focused advisory role after more than 12 years working in various senior roles in the media and advertising industry. His highly consultative and strategic approach to working with clients has been honed from his personal experiences as a client, both good and bad, navigating the property space.
Steve started working with The Hopkins Group in early 2021 after successfully setting up and running his own property investment consultancy business. He has been a financial planning client of The Hopkins Group since 2000 and has personally known both Michael Williams (Managing Director) and John Hopkins (Executive Chairman) since that time, which is one of the key reasons Steve joined the business.
He is passionate about assisting clients reach their financial goals, which helps provide both the lifestyle and increased choices that wealth creation brings. Steve works extremely closely with his clients in a highly engaged and collaborate manner, that often results in becoming the ‘trusted adviser’ in a short period of time.
Steve is a Fully Licensed Real Estate Agent in both Victoria and Queensland, and is also qualified with a Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management.
