Media release

Semaphore, SA (20 October 2017) Leading agent Kate Smith, Principal of Raine & Horne Semaphore/Port Adelaide was named among South Australia’s best sales agents at the Real Estate Institute of South Australia’s (REISA) Awards for Excellence, held recently in Adelaide.

Ms Smith scored gold in the competitive Local Auction Salesperson Western/Beachside category and a bronze in the South Australian Salesperson Residential category.

“The bronze in the South Australian Salesperson Residential classification is particularly pleasing considering the average sales price for a house in Semaphore is $455,970, and I am competing against agents operating in the pricier city and eastern suburbs markets,” said Ms Smith.

The successful local agent was also able to exceed her ambitious goals through exceptional customer service and execution.

“I do several things to lighten the load for those selling a property. First, I provide the complimentary services of a stylist to help enhance the presentation of a home, or a handyman to deal with any maintenance issues. By taking these tasks off the vendor’s to-do list, I’m able to achieve the best possible presentation of the home, which in turn translates into a better result for the vendor,” said Ms Smith.

“I am rigorous about regularly conducting meetings with all my active vendors. I meet with them at a minimum once a week to discuss purchaser enquiries and feedback on the property, and how the campaign is tracking.

“To fit into my vendors’ busy schedules, I usually hold these meetings at their homes, after hours. It’s one of the extra steps I take that enable me to form especially close relationships with my vendors. This is significant because it’s a key strategy for fast-tracking the sale of their home.

Ms Smith’s award winning ways are creating a benchmark for others considering entering the real estate industry in South Australia.

“Kate is one of the of highest-selling female agents in South Australia and probably one of the highest-selling female agents in Australia, placing her in a unique leadership position,” said Angus Raine, Executive Chairman, Raine & Horne.

In addition to her REISA awards, Ms Smith was recently recognised at the Raine & Horne national awards as the highest-selling agent within the international real estate group.

“The fact she was able to achieve these results while pregnant and then nursing a newborn offers an alternative perspective to women in the industry who might feel it’s not something they can achieve if they have children,” said Mr Raine.

Simon Winter, Principal Raine & Horne Business Sales also featured prominently in the REISA Awards taking first place in the Business Broker. This was a third year in a row that Mr Winter has won this award. This achievement earned him an elevation to Hall of Fame Business Broker.

REISA CEO, Greg Troughton, said, “These are the most prestigious and recognised awards for real estate professionals in South Australia.

“We undertake a rigorous nomination, qualifying and judging process to ensure that only the very best of the best can serve as ambassadors – and REISA Award winners – for the real estate profession.”

-ENDS-

For further media information contact:

Angus Raine, Executive Chairman, Raine & Horne 0409 920 697

Kate Smith, Principal, Raine & Horne Semaphore on 0419 183 371

Kate Smith maintains standing as one of South Australia’s best real estate agent