6 September, 2011

Busy spring beckons award-winning Central Coast real estate office

Improved homebuyer confidence should make for a busy spring in the Central Coast property market, according to award winning property firm Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach.

One of the Central Coast’s longest-standing and most trusted real estate offices, Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach, grabbed four awards at the prestigious Raine & Horne National Awards, held recently in Noosa.

Brett Hunter, principal of Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach, which is celebrating 60 years on the Central Coast, said buyers were growing in confidence as the RBA kept official interest rates on hold at 4.75%.

“With the RBA and the banks sitting tight on interest rates, home buyers are becoming active again, and this should translate into a quicker turnaround for home sales this spring,” said Mr Hunter, who is also a director and board member of the Real Estate Institute of NSW.

However, Mr Hunter advised that the presentation of a home is was a crucial factor in securing a sale in the coming months.

“We recently conducted research that showed 40% of buyers who visit a property during a four-week campaign come during the first week.

“This means that if you don’t get the presentation, price, photographs and advertising right before you go to sale, you are potentially disregarding almost half of the buyers that inspect your property.”

Buyers are expected to be active at the lower end of the market, while Mr Hunter noted upgraders were starting to make a move.

“Some buyers are looking at homes in the sub-$500,000 bracket, but we are also seeing activity from people seeking a second home.”

Additionally, investors were buying Central Coast property, with Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach experiencing a three-fold increase in the number of sales transactions during July, compared to previous years.

“Almost half of these properties sold to investors based in Sydney, who were looking for properties in which they could place a permanent tenant.”

This proves the continued strength of the Central Coast property market, says Mr Hunter, and was a contributing factor to his firm securing third place in the ‘Top Coastal Office – Dollar Value’ category at the national awards.

In addition, Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach is able to boast one of the nation’s top real estate salespeople, after co-principal Garth Hunter walked away with a top 10 finish in the ‘Top Salesperson – Dollar Value’ category.

“Garth has worked tirelessly on educating vendors and communicating with buyers over the last 12 months, and this is fast-tracking the negotiation process and leading to more successful sales,” Mr Hunter said.

The firm’s successful application of technology also secured an award, as Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach used the market leading rh compass system to effectively manage its property listings, contacts and communications, securing the ‘rh compass Office of the Year’ award in the process.

In a nod to the future, the firm was especially pleased to receive the award for ‘Top Rookie – Property Management’, as Jodie Elson proved that her step up into a leasing role has been a management masterstroke.

“Jodie runs up to 20 open homes a week, and sees herself as a salesperson for rental properties – this approach is a key reason why Jodie received this recognition.”

Indeed, the future looks bright for Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach, and Mr Hunter credits the new central office location on the busy Terrigal Esplanade as another reason for continued success.

“Our Terrigal office is in prime position to capture 100% of walk-in buyers, and you can’t buy property in Terrigal or Avoca without visiting our office.”

For all your property needs contact Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach on (02) 4385 1000.

Raine & Horne is an iconic Australian property firm, with more than 360 offices worldwide. Also an established Superbrand along with Qantas, Vegemite, Woolworths and Myer, the company has four distinct property service brands including Raine & Horne Residential, Raine & Horne Commercial, Raine & Horne Rural and Raine & Horne Financial.

-ENDS-

For further media information contact:

Brett Hunter, Principal Raine & Horne Terrigal-Avoca Beach, 02 4385 1000 or 0410 630 222

Anna Truman, National Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator, 02 9258 5448