Alumni launches commercial office in Bankstown

MARCH 24, 2020

Successful commercial property specialist Mark Ammoun has taken his career the full circle with his decision to launch Raine & Horne Commercial Bankstown.

Mr Ammoun began his successful career with the global property Superbrand in 2001 as part of the team at Raine & Horne Ashfield. He shifted his focus entirely to commercial property in 2005 and has ever since enjoyed a stellar career specialising in the industrial real estate.

Robust brand recognition a major appeal for Raine & Horne Commercial 

“Raine & Horne Commercial is readily recognised, while working with the brand enables me to continue as a business owner. The Raine & Horne Commercial network offers national solutions for our clients in an ever-changing business environment. With over 30 offices servicing every state capital, key regional growth centres plus offices around the globe, provides us with the ability to market properties locally, regionally, nationally and internationally”

A firm advocate for the commercial value of social media and database marketing, Mr Ammoun confirmed that Raine & Horne Commercial’s commitment to digital technologies such as ‘Amplify’ also enticed him to the global group. A first-to-market technology, Amplify uses the latest in digital marketing and social media to engage with active and passive commercial property buyers and lessees.

“The traditional methods of marketing real estate are changing at a rapid pace. The internet portals are still an integral part of the process however social media and artificial intelligence which target relevant buyers and tenants at a fraction of the cost are definitely playing a larger roll. This form of marketing will become more significant in the years to come explained Mr Ammoun. So, Raine & Horne’s massive investment in Amplify is very timely for my new business venture.”

Shortage of freestanding industrial stock will drive prices

In 2020, Mr Ammoun said a shortage of new stock would continue to a significant factor for commercial markets in south-west Sydney. “The shortage of new stock has helped drive up industrial property values by 50% over the past five years,” Mr Ammoun said. “This growth has also been helped by several factors including cheap money and the fact that many owners are not offloading assets, primarily due to the lack of alternative investment opportunities and the prohibitive taxes (CGT & Stamp duty) associated with selling and acquiring alternative real estate assets. Without an exit strategy, owners are sitting on their hands and supply of freestanding properties is drying up.”

He continued, “Strata industrial property is an exception to rule with a healthy supply available to owner-occupiers and investors.”

For investors, depending on the covenant, yields on industrial properties are generally under 5%, noted Mr Ammoun. “Meanwhile vacancy rates are under 2.5%.”

Importers operating in eCommerce space are driving demand for industrial and warehouse space within the market, according to Mr Ammoun. 

“Importers are attracted to Bankstown as they have easy access to the M5 and M7 motorways as well as Port Botany.”

For all your commercial property sales and leasing enquiries in south-west Sydney, contact Raine & Horne Commercial Bankstown on (1300 00 21 20) or visit the office in the Flinders Centre at Level 8, 25 Restwell Street, Bankstown.