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Cricket tragic Nikhil Saini regularly turns out every summer Saturday for his club team, but he would love to spend time in the stratosphere occupied by Indian superstar batter Virat Kohli.

“Being involved in cricket myself, it would be pretty special to work with someone at that level. Virat is also very driven and professional, which I respect.”

The Arizto real estate agent and his son both play cricket in Rolleston.

“I also train my son, so a big part of my time outside work is taken up with cricket,” he says.

“Saturdays are pretty full-on with games and open homes.”

Nikhil, his wife and their two children have lived in Rolleston for eight years.

After years in sales management, he entered real estate in 2024 and joined Arizto in March 2026.

“Real estate has long been a passion,” he says.

Success came quickly.

“In my first year, I achieved 29 sales and was honoured to be nominated for the Rising Star Award New Zealand 2025.”

Nikhil says the key has been treating every client differently.

“Listening is really important. Pricing a property correctly from the start also makes a big difference to the final result.

“With my background in sales and problem-solving, I can adapt strategies to suit each property rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.”

For Nikhil, Arizto’s client-focused model is a standout feature.

“It allows me to focus on delivering great results rather than being tied to traditional systems.”

Clear communication and confidence in the process are what buyers and sellers value most in today’s market, he says.

“With so much information available, people want straightforward advice they can trust.”

Nikhil describes Rolleston as “a bit of a hidden gem”.

“It offers modern homes, good schools and a strong community feel, while still being close to Christchurch. Buyers really like the space and value they get here compared to the city.”

He says the local market has become more balanced, with buyers more informed and properties needing to be priced and presented well to sell quickly.

“Focus on getting the fundamentals right – pricing, presentation and marketing.”

Nikhil says some of his most rewarding sales have involved helping stressed vendors through difficult situations.

“By understanding their situation, pricing it right and acting quickly, I was able to get their properties sold in a short time and still achieve a strong result.”