Media release

Adelaide, SA (18 February 2018) One of South Australia’s best real estate agents Kate Smith, a former junior Australian basketball star dominated the Superbrand’s state awards for 2018 held at the elegant Richmond Hotel, Adelaide, last night.

A major event for the real estate industry in South Australia, the annual awards combined as a celebration of Raine & Horne’s 135 years of commercial operation, attracting around 150 of the group’s best and brightest sales agents and property managers.

A reigning Real Estate Institute of South Australia (REISA) category winner and former basketball ace with the Australian junior team, the Gems, Ms Smith, was named Raine & Horne’s best sales agent in South Australia based on the dollar value of her sales, and the number of sales in 2017. Ms Smith is also the leading real estate group’s best auction lister.

Paul Dean from Raine & Horne Victor Harbor grabbed second place in the Top Salesperson – Number of Sales category behind Ms Smith. Raine & Horne Strathalbyn was the runner-up in the Top Sales Dollar Value category.

In a busy and successful night for the indefatigable Ms Smith, the Principal of Raine & Horne Semaphore also scored first places in the Top Salesperson (Principal) categories for the number of sales and the dollar value of her sales. Paul Dean, the Principal of Raine & Horne Victor Harbor, pushed Ms Smith firmly, ultimately finishing second in the principal sales categories.

In addition to Ms Smith's personal gongs, Raine & Horne Semaphore was named the group’s best South Australian office based on the number of sales and dollar value. Raine & Horne Salisbury led by principal and sales manager Andrew Harvey finished second in both office sales categories, with Raine & Horne Strathalbyn led by Sally Ness taking third in Top Office Number of Sales and Dollar Value categories.

Raine & Horne Strathalbyn was named the Superbrand’s best regional office based on dollar value, ahead of Raine & Horne Port Lincoln. Raine & Horne Semaphore won the Top Metro Office Dollar Value category.

Angus Raine, Executive Chairman Raine & Horne said, “I am very proud of Kate’s efforts in winning these awards, and her achievements are particularly pleasing considering the average sales price in Semaphore is just $427,950, and she is competing with agents operating in Adelaide’s higher-priced city and eastern suburbs markets.

“Auctions as a method of sale are gaining increasing traction in Adelaide, and Kate is at the vanguard of under the hammer selling. Her embrace of auctions to deliver the best possible results for her vendors is helping set Kate apart as an agent in Adelaide.

“Not only is Kate a dominant selling force in Adelaide, but we expect she will put the heat on some our big offices and leading sales aces in Sydney and Melbourne when our National Awards are announced in July.”

Other major winners at last night’s awards included David Ente, the Principal of Raine & Horne Commercial SA who won the Top Commercial Salesperson, Sales Dollar Value. Raine & Horne Clearview/Northgate, which operates in Adelaide’s inner east is the Top Office Business Growth – Dollar Value.

In the rookie categories, Casey Gregory from Raine & Horne Murraylands was named the group’s best new sales agent in South Australia, and Michael Kennedy from Raine & Horne Blackwood won the Rookie Award – Property Management. The Outstanding Property Manager is Wendy Clothier, Raine & Horne Blackwood and Raine & Horne Murraylands won Outstanding Property Management Office.

Highlights from the 2018 Raine & Horne South Australia Awards for Excellence:

Top Office Dollar Value

Raine & Horne Semaphore

Top Office Number of Sales

Raine & Horne Semaphore

Top Metro Office

Raine & Horne Semaphore

Top Regional Office

Raine & Horne Strathalbyn

Top Salesperson Number of Sales

Kate Smith, Raine & Horne Semaphore

Top Salesperson Dollar Value

Kate Smith, Raine & Horne Semaphore

Top Commercial Salesperson

David Ente, Raine & Horne Commercial South Australia

-ENDS-

For further media information contact:

Kim Pilkington, Communications Executive, Raine & Horne Group on 0414 358 722

Former champion basketballer named Raine & Horne’s best in SA