l first met Eugene Yamamoto about six years ago. He and his business partner Joanne Simpson were selling a house in the same street where I was living at the time. I noticed then, that here was a person at the top of his game and made a mental note about this for the future.

Eugene demonstrated his understanding of how to approach selling my house with a degree of confidence not-with-standing the uncertain market in Auckland real estate at present. He took me and my son through the way Barfoot & Thompson works, outlining a highly developed process designed to maximise sales.

Strongly confident in his role as salesperson and together with his business partner Joanne Simpson, there was always room for our opinions. This ensured that at each stage of the process, correct decisions were being made. I always felt as if everything was under control in the many different stages of selling my house and the price they achieved at auction totally exceeded my expectations and those of my family.

Both Eugene and Joanne both have highly developed sets of competencies that are relevant to the role of real estate salesperson. These, together with strong relationship skills, critical to satisfying the needs and expectations of a variety of different stakeholders, were matched by a very strong work ethic which I appreciated.

If I was going to run again in the real estate market in Auckland in the future, I would have no hesitation in asking Eugene and Joanne to act as our salespeople.

Our family has had a long association with Barfoot & Thompson, so when recently the decision to sell my mother's property was made, we chose Barfoot & Thompson. I can, without hesitation, recommend Barfoot & Thompson to any prospective vendor.

The professionalism, market knowledge and marketing advice provided by Joanne Simpson and Eugene Yamamoto achieved a sale result which exceeded our expectations.

Joanne Simpson & Eugene Yamamoto appraised, marketed and sold my property in Ellerslie. I would highly recommend Joanne & Eugene to anyone wishing to sell their home as they are ethical, honest, friendly and professional. Their care of my property was impeccable, and I noticed every door and window had been tightly secured each time upon leaving the open home. Joanne & Eugene work proficiently as a team and it has always been a pleasure to meet them over the years and especially over the past few months.

Thank you for all the hard work and for a job well done, Joanne & Eugene.

Eugene from Barfoot & Thompson Ellerslie helped us to sell our parents house in February 2025. He guided us through the entire process and we were delighted with the result of the auction, which had a number of bidders. Eugene's professionalism and dedication to gaining a positive result was outstanding. He was approachable with anything we needed clarified, helpful and was excellent at updating us with progress from open homes. The property was marketed showing its best features and we felt that this was a key reason we had a number of interested parties. We highly recommend Eugene to help you sell your property.

Joanne and Eugene delivered exactly what we were after in a real estate salesperson selling our home. Right from the start, they asked the necessary questions so they understood what our requirements were. They were honest, knowledgeable, good communicators and calm throughout the whole process. Our property sold within a month thanks to Joanne and Eugene’s hard work and negotiation skills. The after sale service was also excellent, and they were even happy to provide advice to us on buying our new home - definitely above and beyond!

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your exceptional service in selling our property.The communication skills, professionalism and the negotiation abilities were the key to the great outcome. Thanks so much!!! :)

From the moment we met Eugene and Joanne, it was clear that their professionalism and attention to detail were second to none. Their deep understanding of the local market, coupled with the close proximity of their office to our property, gave us the confidence that they were the right team to handle our sale.

Selling a property in a depressed market is no easy task, but Eugene and Joanne approached it with determination and expertise. Their local knowledge proved invaluable, especially during the first Open Homes, which attracted a large number of interested parties. Despite the challenges that arose along the way, Eugene and Joanne remained steadfast in their commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for us.

What truly set them apart was their open and honest communication throughout the entire process. They kept us informed at every stage, addressing our concerns with patience and clarity. This transparency made us feel not only at ease but also confident that we were in capable hands.

Eugene and Joanne's dedication to the sale of our property went beyond what we expected. They were with us every step of the way, from the initial listing to the final closing, ensuring that we were well-supported and informed. Their unwavering commitment resulted in a successful sale, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

We highly recommend Eugene and Joanne to anyone looking to sell their property. Their professionalism, local expertise and commitment to their clients was truly exceptional. With them by your side, you can trust that your property sale will be handled with the utmost care and dedication, all the way through to the very end.

Eugene and Joanne were recommended to me and I cannot speak highly enough of them. They were extremely helpful to an older person and nothing was too much trouble. They were professional, friendly, reassuring, and their expertise was evident and appreciated. They went the “extra mile” which removed a lot of the stress which surrounds selling a home. I have no hesitation in recommending Joanne and Eugene to family, friends and others wishing to sell their property.

We had a fantastic experience with Jo and Eugene during a challenging housing market. Their expert advice was invaluable, helping us navigate the complexities of selling our home. Despite the sluggish market and the fact that properties in our area weren’t moving, Jo and Eugene demonstrated remarkable perseverance and dedication. They skilfully managed the auction process and ultimately sold our house successfully. Their commitment and expertise truly made a difference, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their outstanding service. Highly recommended!

Deciding to sell the family home is not an easy decision as is selecting an agent to handle this for the family. This was an easy decision selecting “The Local Team”, Joanne & Eugene onto the task. With local knowledge along with dedication and commitment to ensure we were kept up to date with enquiries, market changes and access to their network of potential buyers and support, saw the sale of the property seamless. We all appreciated the support and thoroughness during this trying time and the family would happily recommend them both to anyone looking for a trustworthy, honest professional team.

"Right from the beginning, Eugene and Joanne instilled in me a feeling of confidence and support. They work in a complementary manner, and their methods are a successful blend of empathy and professionalism.

The journey/process was methodically planned, with a comprehensive timetable which covered advertising/marketing, open homes and follow-up communication with potential buyers. One of the things I particularly appreciated about their approach was they were completely open and honest with me, and they never once gave me false expectations - the situation was never embellished. I was kept informed, and included. every step of the way.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this excellent team, who worked extremely hard to make my sale a success."

I couldn't be more pleased with the exceptional service provided by Joanne and Eugene. From start to finish, they were instrumental in guiding me through the process of preparing my property for auction. Their insightful advice on how to showcase the property effectively was invaluable.

Joanne excels in communication, ensuring that I was always kept in the loop. Immediately after each open home, they provided detailed buyer feedback reports, which helped me understand the valuation of the property from the buyers’ point of view and make informed decisions.

Their skilfulness in finding potential buyers for the property was evident, and their strategic approach to motivating buyers to participate and bid in the auction was impressive. Thanks to Joanne’s and Eugene's expertise, the auction process went very smoothly, and the property was sold at a price exceeding my expectations.

I highly recommend Joanne and Eugene to anyone looking for a dedicated and knowledgeable real estate sales agent. Their professionalism, communication, and strategic expertise make them stand out in the industry.

Joanne and Eugene were very professional and helpful in selling our home. We valued their expertise and advice especially. They also went over and above to get our house sale across the line.

Joanne and Eugene were wonderful to deal with. Giving great advice from years of knowledge, and reassuring communication every step of the way. The Local Team made the seemingly mammoth and stressful task of selling my property much easier.

We had the pleasure of working with Joanne and Eugene to sell our family home, and we couldn't be more satisfied with their services. They were incredibly supportive, professional, and engaging throughout the entire process. What stood out the most was their genuine care for both the property and our needs as a client. They effectively marketed the property, showcasing their excellent marketing skills, all while being remarkably unpushy. They had a very personable approach and great local knowledge which made the entire experience a breeze. They were a pleasure to deal with, and we highly recommend them to anyone in need of real estate agents.

"We can't speak highly enough of Joanne and Eugene. From our first meeting to the final sale, their advice was consistently spot-on. They helped us get our home ready for the market with actionable tips that we think really made a difference. What we particularly appreciated was their no-nonsense approach. They were upfront and clear about the process and kept us in the loop with candid feedback the entire time. Eugene's ability to handle complex negotiations and Joanne's knack for connecting with people proved to be a killer combo in securing bidders. They also supported us through any bumps in the road, making the whole experience much less stressful for us. In the end, we secured a deal we were more than happy with, thanks to their hard work and expertise. If you're looking for salespeople who will give you straightforward advice, keep you well-informed, and truly go the extra mile, look no further. We wouldn't hesitate to work with them again or recommend them to others.

From the initial consultation right through to the sale of our family home Joanne and Eugene were fantastic. They set out thoroughly the process from start to finish and more than delivered on everything they said. We found it very reassuring they were both just a phone call away to answer any questions we had. It was a pleasure dealing with them both and we would highly recommend Joanne, Eugene & Barfoot & Thompson.
Thank you both very much.

Eugene and Joanne did a great job marketing and selling our house, particularly in a difficult market. They both were knowledgeable, giving us valuable advice along the way. We appreciated their communication which was quick, transparent and honest. We would definitely recommend Eugene and Joanne to anyone thinking of selling, particularly in the Ellerslie area.

We had a great experience with Joanne and Eugene when we sold our house. They are very personable and professional. We appreciated the level of communication we received from them throughout the whole process. They are super onto it with the best approaches to use in the current market to gather as many potential buyers as possible. We sold our house by auction within six weeks and were very happy with the outcome. We highly recommend Joanne and Eugene as salespeople and would definitely use them again without a doubt.

Thanks to Joanne and Eugene, the sale of our house was a seamless process. We were very fortunate to have been introduced to them. Both have a kind and supportive nature which helped us during a challenging time in our lives. They are “down to earth” as we were able to chat like good friends, together making decisions to get the best result for us.

They have a great network of people who were able to help us prepare the house to go on the market in such a timely manner. Reflecting back, we are truly appreciative that we had Eugene and Joanne as part of our team.

We’re so pleased we used Eugene and Joanne from Barfoot & Thompson Ellerslie, to help sell our family home. We found these guys to be down to earth/trusting salespeople who were very easy to work with. Not only did they help us to sell our house in a tough market but they also helped us secure our new home, with transition dates between properties working out perfectly, minimising disruption to our families routines. We highly recommend these experienced salespeople.

We engaged Eugene and Joanne, due to their evident local knowledge and proven experience. We were more than happy with our choice, as they made the process simple and instilled confidence and things just seemed to follow a process that led to the desired outcome. They were both responsive, open and easy to deal with. The vendor reports were detailed and ultimately we feel they achieved the best possible result in a 'low' market - four active bidders and selling under the hammer for a good price on auction night. Recommend!

We recently sold our house with Eugene and Joanne and while this can be a stressful process, we felt we were in excellent hands. They were knowledgeable, professional, provided great feedback and sage advice and helped explain clearly all the details throughout the process. Eugene and Joanne were extremely responsive to all our questions, no matter how small, and it all went very smoothly. We recommend them highly to anyone looking at selling their property.

"Jo and Eugene did a great job despite a challenging market, and went over and above to help me out during listing/photo stage as I was away at the time. I knew I could trust them to get the listing photo/open home ready in my absence.

As above, Jo was a huge help in getting the property ready for photos and first open homes as I was out of Auckland at the time. She also kept the property clean for open homes as was vacant at the time, which meant I didn't have to go over to clean every weekend! The market was a challenging one and there were minimal open home numbers, but when we did get someone interested, they worked with them to keep them 'on the hook' and interested, which ultimately ended in a sale. Jo was on the ball with calls and paperwork and she came to me which made the process easier, so there was no running around from my side. Very happy overall with the process - thank you! "

“We have always been told that selling your house is one of the most stressful times of your life. So we realised it was important to choose competent salespeople that we could work with to make the process easier. Joanne and Eugene came highly recommended to us and we were not disappointed. They were well organised, reliable, knowledgeable and so easy to work with, making the process of selling our property a breeze. We would definitely use them again and highly recommend them to others.”

I chose Eugene and Joanne to market my mother's house due to their strong real estate experience and focus on the Ellerslie area. I live outside of Auckland and they did a fantastic job helping me to ready the property for sale remotely. Their guidance and negotiation skills meant we achieved a better result than expected. Eugene and Joanne were both very friendly and professional throughout, with regular clear communication. This made the whole process one of the smoothest and least stressful property sales I've been involved with. I would highly recommend "The Local Team" if you are selling.

Eugene and Jo never over-promised. They were consistent in their communication and strategy. Eugene gave us great advice when it came to purchasing our new home. He went above-and-beyond for us and was a pleasure to deal with.

We initially chose Eugene and Joanne as we liked that they were a team, and on initially meeting them, they appeared to work well together, were knowledgeable of our area and unpretentious.

We were not disappointed. They were very easy to work with throughout the process, very personable, approachable, efficient, professional and communicated well. We felt they were committed to us, we weren't just 'another listing'. They were always available to answer questions, provide valuable advice and answer any concerns open and honestly. They were proactive with potential buyers and kept us updated with regular feedback throughout the sale process. We had an amazing turnout for our open homes and felt that they worked hard for us to achieve a great result. We would have no hesitation in recommending their services to any prospective vendors.

"Our home in Coatesville on four acres, is very different from the normal New Zealand home, being clad in stone, some internal rammed earth walls and eco friendly. We listed it with a local salesperson for about 10 months with no luck.

It was suggested we try a couple who were salespeople for Barfoot & Thompson and were a top team. They were located in Ellerslie which is miles away from Coatesville! However we soon discovered that where the Barfoot & Thompson salespeople are located makes NO difference. The Barfoot & Thompson marketing system of sharing listings (in contrast to every other real estate company hanging on to the listing and not sharing it) is a HUGE plus. We had potential buyers coming in from many Barfoot & Thompson branches and Jo and Eugene controlled the whole process. The promotional video plus photos was a big step-up regarding professionalism from the previous company we dealt with.

Jo and Eugene have different roles as a team and we have never come across such astute operators when it came to the “crunch”. From go to whoa was about six weeks, all done and dusted.

Both very personable folk whom we regard as friends and cannot recommend them highly enough to get results quickly.

Joanne and Eugene were incredible to work with when selling our home. Their guidance and wealth of knowledge made the entire process easy and stress-free. Right from the first meeting they discussed all the options with us and always kept us fully informed on the progress and their level of professionalism was exceptional.  

Joanne and Eugene have gone above-and-beyond in all aspects of their dealings with us. We couldn't be happier with the results and highly recommend them to anyone looking to buy or sell a property.

"When we decided to list our apartment we chose Barfoot & Thompson because we like their family values. A friend recommended Eugene as the agent. We were very happy with our choice and between Eugene and Joanne we got an excellent result. Beyond our expectations.

We live away from Auckland and all of our dealings with them were done remotely. It was done seamlessly, efficiently and professionally. We had no stress at all. We would highly recommend Eugene and Joanne to anyone considering listing their property.

I was an out-of-town seller, selling two properties on behalf of an ailing family member. Eugene and Joanne went above and beyond to make things as clear and easy as possible during a trying time. They were warm and helpful, clear in their communications and gave valuable advice along the way. Everything was tailored to suit my needs. The properties were run-down and Eugene and Joanne advised on getting them ready for sale, did checks to ensure things were in order before viewings and even assisted when both properties sprung leaks! Because I wasn't able to be in Auckland I was totally reliant on Eugene and Joanne to shepherd me through the sales process and to ensure the houses were ready to go. I was really impressed at the lengths they went to, to provide support. Having bought and sold nine residential properties over the years I can honestly say I've never had such excellent service. It's changed my view of real estate salespeople for the better (and raised my expectations from here on in)! You'd be lucky to have Eugene and Joanne as your salespeople - no one else comes close.

I instructed Joanne and Eugene to look after the sale of my property in central Ellerslie. I was attracted to them as they seemed to possess good local knowledge of the area.

I was not disappointed! They did an excellent job and exceeded my expectations in every way. The whole process from start to finish was seamless and amazingly stress-free. I wouldn’t hesitate to instruct them again in the future. Thank you both so much !

“We cannot speak highly enough of Joanne and Eugene. Having attended a number of their open homes in search of a property, we were immensely impressed with their professionalism, knowledge and integrity. To the point where after eventually acquiring a home they marketed, we asked them to sell a property on our behalf. The result was one we are still stunned with today!

If you want results, with a bit of humour and an friendly attitude, you can’t do better.”

"Joanne and Eugene were great to work with. We felt like ours was the only property they were working on. Every question was answered clearly and promptly, no matter how trivial. They are both professional and know their stuff. This combined with their fun sense of humour, make them very easy to talk things through with.

The great auction turnout and result speaks for itself! Joanne and Eugene would be our first choice to sell any property for us in the future.

I just wanted to email  and say a great big thank you to you both. The auction exceeded my expectations of what it would sell for, and I knew I had selected the right team to market my unit, when we first met. Right from the beginning, I was kept up to date with what was happening within the market, and where my unit was sitting dollar-wise. The booklet and calendar given for my marketing was wonderful, I knew what was happening from day to day. If I needed to phone and ask a question you were both only too willing to answer it with your knowledge of your industry.

So, on behalf of myself and my daughter Hayley, a big thank you for the effort you went to, and for making my dream of moving out of Auckland a reality

Eugene and Jo work hard at every step of the process, to get you the very best result. They stay focused on you and your property even when they are busy and Eugene is a natural negotiator. They are also lovely people to deal with!

Many people say that selling your home can be one of the most stressful tunes of your life. Yet, it wasn’t like that for us. Eugene and Joanne made the process so simple - from their expert advice, respectful and timely communication, together with a friendly touch, we’d happily recommend them!

We were extremely happy with the service that Joanne and Eugene provided. They showed a genuine interest, were easy to talk to, and helped guide us through the process with a great result at our auction

"Having unexpectedly purchased a new place, we were under the pump to get our house spruced up and sold on a tight time-frame. Joanne and Eugene were pragmatic and practical in their advice, balancing getting the best price with speed of sale. This saw us invest only in what mattered, ultimately realising a return well beyond what we could have imagined. Joanne and Eugene were a pleasure to deal with and we recommend them without hesitation."

We recently had the daunting task of selling the family home that had been occupied for over 40 years. Joanne and Eugene were extremely supportive of us during the process offering both encouragement and positivity throughout. Due to their incredible hard work, utter professionalism and enthusiasm, the house was sold with a great outcome all round.

I would highly recommend both Joanne and Eugene, they are both extremely professional and knowledgable.

Joanne and Eugene are a hard-working, professional team and we have nothing but the highest praise for them. They worked tirelessly for us and always in our best interests. We appreciated the constant communication and their uncompromising integrity. They have wonderful local knowledge and have built a strong presence in the local community. We would highly recommend them.

 In 2019 we decided to sell our Ellerslie property and asked Joanne and Eugene to act as our salespeople. They walked us gently and professionally through the process and in a relatively depressed market, we soon had some buyers signed up. We were very happy with the work Joanne and Eugene did and count it as a bonus that we not only sold our house but gained two friends.

Joanne and Eugene sold a small unit in Ellerslie for us in 2018. We thought they were very professional and were very impressed with their advertising and ability to identify and highlight the attractive features of the property. They were knowledgeable and organised and we recommend them highly.

We found both Eugene Yamamoto and Joanne Simpson very friendly and helpful, with a delightful sense of humour, but always professional, and we were constantly treated with dignity no matter what our query or perceived problem. They defused any concern we may have had and we always felt they were working for us and with us. They went the extra mile to advise and guide us through what could have been a really scary and overwhelming process and made the sale of our property seamless and easy. They had an impressive database of potential purchasers to call upon and there was a steady stream of viewers through our home, which resulted in our house being sold after only two weeks and for an extremely pleasing price.

We would definitely recommend Eugene and Joanne to anyone who is considering selling their home as they really are a Great Local Team. A very big thank you to both Eugene and Joanne, we were so lucky to have you to sell our home for us.

Ours was a tough wee house to sell at a time when the market was just starting to slow down. Eugene and Joanne provided amazing service, a straightforward assessment of what needed to be done, a realistic evaluation of what they thought they could get for the house and clear, honest communication. It was the small suggestions for preparing the house for open homes that we feel got this sale over the line, such as what to remove for staging, what would appeal, and simple things such as water blasting the outside of our house, which, frankly, hadn't occurred to us. At the auction, our first, Eugene exuded confidence and calm during what was a very stressful time for us, and managed to negotiate a price that was actually beyond our expectations - he's a born salesman and when it comes to getting you a good deal, I couldn't recommend anyone better.

"We have worked with Eugene and Joanne both as buyers and then as vendors. They are a genuine, hardworking and creative team. Their professionalism and integrity are exemplary. With an excellent track record in the local market, we highly recommend them to anyone.'

Location, location, location maybe the catchcry for real estate sales but for The Local Team it is dedication, dedication, dedication. Thoroughly recommend them as a team that does that extra effort.

A good and experienced team. Willing to go the extra mile to get the best outcome.

Joanne and Eugene were fantastic to deal with on the sale of our property. They are approachable, personable and trustworthy, and they gave us good advice about how to present our property to get the best outcome. Their hard work secured a result for us that we were really happy with, more quickly than we expected, so we were delighted! We'd happily recommend them to anyone looking to sell in our area.

Craig and I just wanted to say thanks again for being so incredible throughout the sale of our house. Your integrity, vendor centricity, determination and willingness to go above and beyond was exceptional - we honestly could not have been in better hands. You worked so hard to make it as stress free as possible for us (no easy task considering the number of unexpected challenges we faced) and ultimately this led to a great result on Auction day. We will absolutely be recommending you both to anyone looking to sell!

Eugene is such a bright, cheerful character who is very easy to work with. When I was searching for a property, I was coming through a very stressful time and Eugene was extremely helpful, reassuring and most certainly went the extra mile. I wholeheartedly recommend Eugene as an agent and if I move again, his will be the first number I call.

Thank you Eugene, for your excellent assistance, preparation and marketing for the sale of my home in Avondale. Our price was achieved at Auction after only 3 weeks of marketing with a great turn out. We would not hesitate to recommend Eugene, and Barfoot & Thompson to any future clients looking to sell their homes. Thanks again and Cheers,

What impressed us most was the confidence we had in knowing that you were working for us (the vendor) & we were completely assured from day one that you had the ability to negotiate the best possible price & to actually close the deal. As it turned out, you exceeded all of our expectations, selling the property after only a week on the market at a price that was significantly above our expectations.

I would like to extend to Eugene Yamamoto a lot of praise because when I put my house up for sale he was there all the way. He was great with the people who came through my house. He picked me up on the day of the auction and I have found him to be a very personable person. He is positive and did a fantastic job at selling my house.
I feel that Eugene deserves my praise.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank Eugene for the tremendous effort he made in helping us sell our home. His professional manner, down to earth approach, cheerful enthusiasm and total commitment to us as clients has been exceptional, nothing was ever too much trouble for him. We found Eugene to be a skilled and experienced real estate professional with a refreshingly direct and responsive approach."