Media release - 5^th September, 2012

Marketing and economic growth deliver awards for Raine&Horne Gladstone

Multi-award winning office, Raine & Horne Gladstone, says the Queensland regional centre is continuing to build its reputation as a popular alternative for investors seeking a prosperous return away from the big cities.

“Gladstone is fast becoming one of the most important economic centres in Queensland,” says Mark Patton, principal of Raine & Horne Gladstone, whose decorated office snared two major gongs at the Raine & Horne National Awards, held at the iconic Grand Hyatt, Melbourne on Tuesday 21 August, 2012.

“Our success at the awards night has been a real team effort and all of our agents and staff have pulled together to build a strong market share and presence in Gladstone.”

Raine & Horne Gladstone placed second in the Top Office (Number of Sales) award, seventh in the network’s Top Office (Dollar Value) category and runner-up for Top Coastal Office (Dollar Value).

In addition to these office achievements, the individual efforts of Richard Steele and Kate Sutherland were also recognised with first place gongs in the Top Salesperson (Number of Sales) and Outstanding Office Support categories respectively.

“Richard Steele has always been a consistent top ten sales agent in the Raine & Horne network, and was also third runner-up for the same award in 2008,” says Mr Patton.

“Kate Sutherland scooped the award for Outstanding Office Support due to her impressive marketing strategies and administration support in our Gladstone office.

“Kate is the creator of our marketing flipbooks, which has had a huge impact in bringing new business into the office.”

Indeed, Mr Patton attributes much of Raine & Horne Gladstone’s success to its saturation of the market with unique and eye-catching Raine & Horne marketing material and its consistently strong sale conversion rate, backed by experience and knowledge in an often fluctuating market.

“We are also very community-oriented and sponsor a vast array of organisations, including Clinton State School’s special unit facility, Gladstone PCYC, Calliope Ambulance, the Orchid and Foliage Society, the Young Dance Company and seven local sporting clubs.”

Mr Patton says around 60% of the buyers with Raine & Horne Gladstone are investors attracted to the regional hub’s less than one percent vacancy rate and strong rental yields, which often surpass 7%.

“As an example of a great return, we’ve just sold a Gladstone property for $1,550,000 with a weekly rental return of $2,250 a week – this equates to a 7.5% yield,” says Mr Patton.

“We are expecting an excess of $80 billion worth of infrastructure going into Gladstone and the surrounding region over the next couple of years and Raine & Horne Gladstone will provide these clients the kind of the blue ribbon service we have always delivered.”

For those considering a property sale this Spring, contact Raine & Horne Gladstone on 07 4972 1500.

For further media information contact:

Mark Patton, Principal Raine & Horne Gladstone on 0409 496 353

Andrew Harrington, National Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator on 02 9258 5400