Latest news with #lawnmowing
News.com.au
02-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Two years in the making': 24-year-old real estate agent earning $300,000 reveals the hustle behind the success
A young and determined real estate agent has revealed the rigorous hustle he puts in to earn $300,000 a year. Ethan Forbes, 24, lives in Queensland. He starts his days at 5.30am and there's no limit to how long he'll work. He has completed sales as late as 10.30pm at night because he is committed to his clients and works purely on commission. If he doesn't make a sale, that means he doesn't earn any money, but he likes the setup as it drives him and keeps him accountable. The hustle is intense, but Mr Forbes has never been afraid of hard work. When he was 22 years old he started a lawn mowing business and, through that, he worked closely with real estate agents, getting lawns up to scratch. He met an agent with whom he really connected and also couldn't help admiring how he had a nice car, a nice watch, and a nice house while still being in his twenties. 'I got attracted to it for the wrong reasons, but as soon as I got into it, I realised how many hours you have to work to make it work,' he said. 'I've stayed in it for the right reasons.' Mr Forbes doesn't turn his phone off; he's available to clients 24/7, and he works at least six days a week, always hustling. He has made a name for himself in the area he sells in, but now he has gone viral. He was recently stopped in the street by Getahead, an app that matches people with jobs, and asked his salary, to which he revealed he was earning roughly $300,000 a year. Mr Forbes' salary admission spawned quite a bit of negativity, with people not impressed to learn that real estate agents can earn that much. 'You realise the industry is cooked when someone can walk into a job for $300k with a three day course,' one said. 'The hate in here is wild,' another remarked. 'He is absolutely not making that much,' someone else claimed. Mr Forbes remains unbothered, telling that he cleared $300,000, but made over $500,000 pre-tax. 'The income is insane and I'm extremely grateful for it but it isn't easy money. It is easy to get into the industry and not easy to stay,' he said. The 24-year-old explained currently trying to focus on working less, as he has been so committed to the grind for the last two years. He also wanted to make it clear that he loves what he does, he likes that his job involves him forming 'deep connections' with people and helping them achieve their goals. 'You're working with them so intensely. You list a house, then there's a settlement that can be 90 days, and you've got to sell it,' he said. 'I can work with clients for up to eight months and it is almost hard to say goodbye to them when the deal is done.' Mr Forbes pointed out that, when he works with clients, he can speak to them every day, sometimes for months on end. He is also attracted to the marketing side of the business. When he started it was a tough slog and he relied on self-promotion. 'I didn't earn anything for the first six months. When you are new no one has ever heard of you,' he said. 'No wants to give their house sale to a 22-year-old who doesn't even own a house himself.' Mr Forbes had to, quite literally, knock on doors to get ahead. His first client was an elderly man who had been struggling to sell his house for over six months. Business wasn't coming to him so the young real estate agent went to the man's house, knocked on his door and told him he could sell the house for him. He did that consistently for eight weeks until the man agreed to let him give it a crack because the house wasn't selling. 'It had been six months, and we sold it within three weeks. Obviously, I was bringing a lot of energy because I was brand new, and I was like, 'I'm going to make this work',' he said. Once Mr Forbes got that first sale done and dusted he was pretty much off to the races and hasn't looked back. Mr Forbes believes that part of his success is due to his honesty and being transparent with people. He reckons dodgy agents don't last anymore and he prides himself on always finding ways to be more open with people during the selling process. Recently, he decided not to list a house without a price guide because he feels it is misleading to both buyers and sellers. 'It is frustrating when there's no price on the listing and I made the decision about a month ago to list every property with a price,' he said. In the now rare cases where he hasn't listed a price for a property, it is purely because he is unsure of the market. For instance, Mr Forbes might be selling a luxury home in a suburb that doesn't typically have luxury homes, - so it can be tough to know the market value. He claimed that some other agents use it to lure buyers into properties they cannot afford, either to get them to fall in love with the home or to obtain their details so they can contact them about other properties. Mr Forbes said the other reason some agents use do this is because they're not honest with their sellers and aren't prepared to tell them they won't get the price they're asking for. 'They aren't honest with their sellers from the get go and it is disgusting,' he said. Mr Forbes said that, even though he had never used it for these tactics, he wants to make the change because he prides himself in clear communication. Despite all the success, hustle, 5.30am starts, 10.30pm calls, and staggering salary, he still hasn't bought a home. In some ways, he believes it makes him a better agent, as he feels for first home buyers and knows how tough the market is, having not yet cracked it himself. 'I resonate with everyone,' he said. 'I still don't own a home and I'm still saving for a deposit. It is so hard.' Mr Forbes has a fair chunk in savings, but it is difficult because he is a business owner, not an employee. 'I have $200,000 in savings, however, it is tricky one, I'm a contractor, and my company owns that money,' he said. Getting a loan is tough when you're not just working as an employee and your income is huge, but comes in waves. For example, in December 2024, Mr Forbes brought in over $250,000 in sales and, from that, he took home $125,000 after covering overheads and taxes. But then, he didn't earn a cent from January to March this year. The 24-year-old explained that it takes time to sell a house, especially when you factor in the average settlement period of around 90 days. You also have to consider the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes until you finally get paid. He recently sold a house for a woman after the first inspection, for a price that exceeded her expectations. However, he'd been in contact with her and exploring the possibility of her selling for over two years. 'That was a quick one, but when you look at how long I'd been talking to that client for, it was two years in the making,' he said.
CTV News
30-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Sask. boy mows lawns to help dad who lost home in wildfire
One Creighton, Sask., boy is putting in some sweat equity this summer to make the grass a little greener for his dad, who lost his home to wildfire. Hunter Larsen is 10 years old and when his school year ended a few weeks early because of encroaching wildfires near his home in Creighton, in northeastern Saskatchewan, he had extra time on his hands. On June 2 he learned that his dad's house in Denare Beach, where he lives part time, was destroyed by fire. He wanted to do something, so he came up with a plan to use his lawnmowing skills and try to raise some money to help his dad, who is currently living out of a van with their dog Shadow. The plan at the start was to charge $10 per lawn, but because of the outpouring of support he changed the fee. Now, he's taking donations for the lawn mowing. Hunter has even earned $100 from some customers for his effort, and some are just sending money as an outright donation. Those who Hunter visits offer him something to drink since he's working hard and it's really hot there now, sometimes reaching 30 C. He's also received lots of compliments for his work. 'They're proud of me for doing this and they thank me for doing this,' Larsen told CTV News via Zoom from Creighton. For Hunter's mom, Amanda MacQuarrie, this good deed is not surprising. She says being 'selfless' is not out of character for him. 'Hunter is just such an amazing kid. His entire life he's just been so helpful. If you ask any of his teachers, he's just, like, the sweetest, kindest boy. He just wants to help everybody. Animals, everything. So, I've been really lucky,' MacQuarrie said. Sask. boy wildfire relief Hunter Larsen with Shadow the dog. (Courtesy: Amanda MacQuarrie) Hunter will be going into Grade 5 in the fall and has some advice for anyone else who thinks they might want to help out with other fundraisers. 'I would say probably just follow your heart and have fun. Do what you want,' he said. So far hunter has raised $1,500.00 and mowed 30 lawns. One customer even suggested he could get them a deal on a ride-on mower so the lawn mowing can be even more efficient this summer. His plan is to keep going until school starts and raise as much money as he can. His mom has even started up a GoFundMe page to help his cause. Creighton is located just over 600 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
What's The Most Popular Lawn Mower Brand In The USA?
Automated tech has rapidly revolutionized how we do household chores in recent years, with lawn-mowing being no exception. We've moved far beyond the traditional push and riding mowers that carried us for decades. Now, features like AI and battery power make mowing a time-saving, eco-friendly, and often hands-free project. Adding to the excitement, young players are bringing inspired innovation to a centuries-old task. The landscape is aptly changing in an industry that helps us change our landscapes, but does that mean the old guards are making way for the new? Or, are time-honored brands adapting to shifting needs and expectations? By more than one measure, it seems those reliable names we've leaned on for decades remain leaders among lawn mower brands in the U.S. Deere & Co., the No. 1 lawn and garden manufacturer in America, is the nation's top choice for reliability among lawn mower brands, according to a 2025 Life Story Research survey. It's the sixth straight year the brand topped the list. Following John Deere are other familiar tried-and-true names, including Honda, Toro, and the value-priced Craftsman. Husqvarna, another well-established lawn care brand, also features prominently. The company made the survey's top four in 2024. With so many lawn mower styles available, each brand has found its niche. The average consumer, therefore, may find the most popular or go-to brand changes based on the style they want, whether it's a classic push mower or a more advanced zero-turn riding mower. Read more: Milwaukee Products You Shouldn't Pass On Even If You're Not In The Market For Tools Just as "nothing runs like a Deere," nothing sells like a Deere either, and for good reason. Alongside its long-standing reputation for quality, the brand has situated itself directly on the line between commercial and residential use. A professional pedigree bolsters its residential brand, elevating it in the eyes of homeowners. Emphasizing the point, John Deere exited the push mower market in 2012. Its focus turned to the riding mower market, arguably the dominant mower segment and the bridge between the homeowner and lawn care expert. John Deere is also one of the top three American manufacturers, with over 1,000 employees working out of its Horicon, Wisconsin location. Homeowners agree that John Deere, maker of some of the highest-reviewed riding lawn mowers under $3,000, is one of the most reliable lawn care brands. According to a 2025 GreenPals survey, 9.7% of voters identified the Z300 as their favorite mower. The Scag Liberty Z was the only alternative to match it, sharing the top spot among zero-turn options. Polaris Market Research, meanwhile, noted John Deere was the top brand driving lawn mower growth. The report cited the Deere brand's durability, performance, and overall customer satisfaction as key factors in its popularity. Though thriving on tradition, John Deere is nevertheless geared toward the future. With the rapid rise in popularity of battery-powered alternatives, the company released its first all-electric model in the residential zero-turn Z370R. Push mowers are still wildly popular due to low initial cost and practicality for smaller yards. In this category, a mix of age-old brands and up-and-comers are making their mark. Names like Green Machine, Ego, and Ryobi offer some of the best battery-powered lawn mowers. Still, gas remains the most popular power option, owning roughly 40% of the market. Companies such as Stanley Black & Decker, owner of Craftsman, Cub Cadet, and Troy-Bilt, enjoy the success of multiple brands that have made them leaders in a tight market. Meanwhile, Toro lawn mowers make the cut needing only their four-letter brand to lead in sales and popular opinion. Founded in 1914, Toro proudly proclaims itself as "America's #1 Walk Mower Brand." Its Bloomington, Minnesota facility is one of the five largest manufacturing operations in the nation. Sales in 2024 put it second behind Deere & Co. and well ahead of third-place Husqvarna, according to IBISWorld. Polaris Market Research lists the brand as the fourth most influential growth driver in the market. As they explain, Toro's recent investment in zero-turn and robotic products have set them up for future success as a brand centered on versatility and user-friendliness. Indeed, the company invested in a state-of-the-art camera-based navigation system for its robotic mowers in 2022. Staying true to tradition, though, Toro is a standard-setter in gas push mowers, particularly in its highly-rated Recycler models. TechGearLab ranked the Toro SmartStow Recycler as the best overall among tested mowers. For their part, real-world customers shared that sentiment as 9.7% voted for the Toro self-propelled mower as their favorite in the GreenPal survey, the most for any product. 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